About Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is a Tiger reserve spread at Vindhyachal hill in
state of Madhya Pradesh with a declared area of 448.55 sq.km. It was included in Project Tiger Network in year 1993 as very soon it gained publicity as a Tiger Reserve with highest density of Tigers in India. It is counted among highly appreciated tiger reserves of Central India after Kanha National Park.
As it is a Tiger Reserve (under Project Tiger), it is based
of core-buffer strategy: core area of 105sq. km.(Tala range)
and buffer area of
approximately 400 sq.km.. Park ride is conducted in core
zone area and most of the resorts and villages are situated
in buffer-zone area. The density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. Bandhavgarh is a National Park since 1968 and is included in Project Tiger Network in 1993.
More than 22 species of mammals and 250
species of birds found in
Bandhavgarh National Park. Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaque represent
the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox,
Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard
and Tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are Wild Pigs, Spotted
Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai(Blue-bull), Chinkara. Mammals such as
Dhole, the smallIndian Civet, Palm Squirrel and Lesser Bandicoot Rat
are seen occasionally. Gaur(Indian Bison) was found here before 1998
and now forest dept. is trying to reinstate them.
Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968. It was the former
hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. This is also White
Tiger country. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many years.
The last known was captured by Maharajah Martand Singh in 1951. This
White Tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the
Maharajahs of Rewa. The last known White Tiger was captured by
Maharajah Martand Singh in 1951.
At the
center of the park is the bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea
level and surrounding it are a sloping valleys. At the top of the
bandhavgarh hill, we can see Bandhavgarh Fort. There is no records
remain to show when Bandhavgarh Fort was constructed. It is thought,
however, to be some 2,000 years old, and there are references to it in
the ancient books.the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Siva Purana. Various
dynasties have ruled this fort: for example, the Maghas from the 1st
century AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century; the Sengars from the
5th century and the Kalchuris from the 10th century. In the 13th
century AD, the Baghels took over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617,
when Maharajah Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa. The last
inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935. About 39 ancient caves are also
present in park territory.
About Bandhavgarh Park Safari Timing
Generally park remains open from 1st of Oct. to 30th of June, every
year. But form October, 2009 Bandhavgarh National Park is likely to
open from 16th of October every year. In special conditions these dates
may vary like park roads are under repair.
Winter Timings: |
Summer Timings: |
Morning Safari :
Entry: 07:30 hrs.
Exit : 10:30 hrs. |
Morning Safari :
Entry: 06:30 hrs.
Exit : 09:30 hrs. |
Evening Safari :
Entry: 15:00 hrs.
Exit : 17:30 hrs. |
Evening Safari :
Entry: 16:00 hrs.
Exit : 18:30 hrs. |
Geographical Details of Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh is Tiger reserve spread at Vindhyachal hill in state of
Madhya Pradesh at Central India, with a declared area of 448.55 km2. The main hill of
Bandhavgarh is surrounded by 32 other small hills. Prominent ones are :
Bandhaini, Badi Dogari, Hanuman-Manch, Bamniya, Ganesh Hill, Mahamaya,
Baluhai Dongari and Seeta Mandap.
What to see inside the Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh is indeed an example of natural beauty. There are many
hills and very dense forest, even sun rays could not reach the surface
of earth. Bandhav Bandhaini are very famous hills. Many tanks, springs
and waterfalls are present here. Atleast 39 caves are found within 5
km. surrounding of Bandhavgarh. After visiting following unmatched
Tourist spots inside Bandhavgarh National Park, every visitor, whether it is Indian or
Foreigner tourist, concludes its visit: cost-efficient, memorable and
suggestive.
S. No. |
Tourist Spot Name |
Summary |
1 |
Kaper Di Lakhabariya |
It is near Chakradhara with 7 gates and area is 46ft. X 12ft. Lakhbariya means house made by cutting rocks. |
2 |
Malh Patper |
Rock (4ft.X 2ft.) with idols of two wrestlers fighting on rock. |
3 |
Karn Pol |
Main gate built in Turk style. |
4 |
Stable |
On way to fort, stable was made by cutting rocks. Pillars have holes to enchain horses. |
5 |
Court |
It is a stone cut building on way to fort. It is used for hearing cases of local peoples by judges. |
6 |
Shesh Sai |
This
is a grand stone idol of Hindu god “Lord Vishnu”.
Head is toward east direction and legs are on west
side. From his feet, a gush of natural water comes
out which afterwards takes shape of a river called
Charan Ganga. |
7 |
Sada Ormani: |
It is small cell in which water drops continuously and it has too much coldness even in summer seasons. |
8 |
Baman Incarnation Idol: |
It
is made by cutting mountain on the hill. It is about
18ft. high. Idol’s
face is of lion and rest of the body is of human being.
It is incarnation of Lord Vishnu. |
9 |
Watch Tower |
Cell
on the hill used as a watch tower. Inner size is 12ftx5ft. There is no
way to reach the cell. It is assumed that ropes were used to reach it. |
10 |
Kalchuri Gate |
It is about 5ft. wide and 10ft. high and expected to be made in 10th century. |
11 |
Buddhism Idol |
We find Buddhism idol on main gate which shows that Buddh monks use to visit this area, time to time. |
12 |
Tortoise Idol |
It
is a grand tortoise idol of stone. It is yet another incarnation of
Lord Vishnu. It is one of the largest tortoise idol in India. |
13 |
Fish Idol |
It is a fish shaped temple with area of 9ft.2in. x 11ft.2in.. Fish is also known as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. |
14 |
Moti Mahal |
Fort
is assumed to be built in 15th century when Baghela rulers shifted
their capital from Gahora to Bandhavgarh. Indian classical music legend
Tansen, use to sing Dhurapad every day in drawing hall. Building is in
ruined condition now. |
15 |
Bandhav Dheesh Temple |
It is built by king Ram Chandra in near about 1562-65 AD. Idols of Lord Rama and Laxmana were place in temple. |
16 |
Treasury |
This room is build on a platform of 6ft 6inch high from ground. |
17 |
Kabir Temple |
Famous saint of India,Kabir Das Ji, has visited Bandhavgarh. |
18 |
Ponds |
There
are many ponds in the hill of Bandhavgarh. Some important ones are:
Rani Tank, Nand Tank, Kabir Tank etc. Local people claims 12 ponds but
4 or 5 of them can be seen. |
History Bandhavgarh National Park
Fort of Bandhavgarh is counted among oldest forts of India. It was
always been the desire of Muslim rulers and great Kings to conquer the
fort. The fort was very important from defensive point of view. The
natural surroundings had made the fort unique and unconquerable.
Record of 2nd and 3rd century of Bandhavgarh tells us that this area
was ruled by Magh rulers whose Kingdom was spread towards north river
Jamuna & Koshawi. Here several caves are prepared by engraving and
cutting rocks by humans beings which shows that in past Bandhavgarh was
important religious centre of Hindus, Jains. These caves are used by
monks for meditation and other purposes.
After Magh dynasty, Bhar-Shiva-Nag dynasty rulled this area. In 5th
century Sengar Dynasty rulled this area followed by Kalchuris. The rule
of Haihay Kalchuris can be called the golden period of this area.
Kalchuris arrival in Baghelkhand was in 9th century.
Bandhavgarh Lodges & Resorts
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve have number of luxury wildlife resorts and lodges. Among them Taj's Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh is counted among best wildlife resort in the world. Taj's Mahua Kothi do not require any introduction. With its introduction, Bandhavgarh become essential park of Central India Luxury Tours. Similarly, some other luxury wildlife resorts in Bandhavgarh
are : Bandhvvilas, Tree House Hideways, Anant Van, Samodhe Bandhavgarh Resort
are among some best wildlife resorts in Bandhavgarh. In addition to it
wildlife resorts & lodges like Tiger Den, Nature Heritage, Camp
Mewar, Mapple Bundela Bandhavgarh, Jungle Mantra, Kings lodge,
Bandhavgarh Jungle lodge, Bagh Sarai, Maharaja Royal Retreat are some
other options available for visitors. Many Bandhavgarh Resorts offers
some best Bandhavgarh Tour Packages also which includes, Bandhavgarh
Park Safari, Accommodation in Bandhavgarh and Ground Transfers.
Access to Bandhavgarh National Park
- Nearest Airport is in Jabalpur city at a distance of 200 kms.
- Nearest Railway Station is Umaria at a distance of 37 kms.
- Nearest city/town is Umaria at a distance of 36 kms.
For those who would like to visit tiger reserve by charted plane, can land at Umaria Runway at a distance of 40 kms from Bandhavgarh (Tala village). Apart from Jabalpur Dumna Airport, Khajuraho Airport is another option at a distance of 275 kms.
Nearest railway sataion other than umaria is Katni - Murwara railway station. It is on Mumbai - Howrah track. Trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata stops here. Katni railway station is at a distance of 100 kms from Bandhavgarh Tala village.
For those who are coming by their own vehicle, they can reach either Umaria via Katni, Rewa or Satna. Regular bus service is operating between Umaria (often called Chandia-Umaria) and Katni. From Umaria one can reach Bandhavgarh bus seperate mini-bus service regularly operating between them. Their are more than one town with name of Umaria in Madhya Pradesh so in case of any confusion, call it as Chandia-Umaria.. |
