SARISKA – tiger lore’s await....
Prime Attraction: Sariska Wildlife sanctuary and Tiger Reserve famous for its Tigers
Sariska at a glance
Situated in the state of Rajasthan, with the Aravali Hills in the backdrop, Sariska has increasingly become synonymous with the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary which was taken into the folds of the Project Tiger in 1979. Sariska’s mention in the tourist hitlist however does not end with its plenteous flora and fauna. It is a place of historical importance too and the spread of architechtural ruins, temples and monuments all over the confines of Sariska’s 800 sq-kms is a glaring testimony of its rich heritage and glorious past. However, the mushrooming human population and the illegal poaching activities, which is believed to have recieved impetus by the villagers wanting to protect their livestock, have caused a serious damage to the wildlife recluse. In 1997, the tiger populaiton was recorded a staggering 24. Conservation efforts have thus become part of the national agenda to save this royal predator from extinction.
Wildlife Adventure in Sariska
The landscape of Sariska comprising hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range, supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. This plays a desirable host to the tiger species. Other predators of the forest include the panther, jungle cat, jackal, hyena and fox. They, and their herbivore counterparts like the sambhar, chital, wild boar, nilgai, civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) can be spotted on the shores of the Siliserh Lake. Hundreds of avian fauna animate the Kalighati waterhole. Grey partridge, golden-backed woodpecker, Great Indian horned owl and white-breasted kingfisher – all can be spotted. Crocodiles, however, are the major inhabitants of this lake and observing them basking on the shores of the lake can be an awesome experience.
The best time to visit Sariska is between November and March. During this time the weather is tolerable and chances of spotting the animals are most. But tigers are mostly seen during summers reclining near water holes.
The Sariska National Park offers a wide range of activities such as motor driving in and around the park in the mornings and evenings, observing the wildlife at the waterholes, or photographing wildlife from the many hideouts provided in the park. Reaching Sariska
Sariska is merely 35 km from Alwar, so one can take a bus or a cab from Alwar. One can also come to Sariska from Jaipur, which is very well connected to other cities by air, rail and roads. From Jaipur one can also go to the Wildlife Sanctuary by Jeep.
Don’t forget to check these out....
Pandupol: South-east from RTDC’s Tiger’s Den, is Pandupol. It is believed that the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata, spent part of their exile here. One can still see five boulders here, which represent the five Pandavas and Draupadi, their wife. Pandupol is also the name of the 35-ft waterfall arising from near a deep crest in the Aravalli Ridge, believed to have been created by the strongest of Pandavas - Bhima. His duel with Lord Hanuman also led to commemorating this place with a Hanuman Mandir visited by pilgrims across the nation.
Temples: Located inside the park are ruins of about 300 Hindu and Jain medieval temples. Naldeshwar, an old Mahadev temple, is located just off the Sariska-Alwar main road. Talvriksh, towards the north of the Park with its grove of old trees is another centre for pilgrimage. The Bharathari Temple, located at the edge of the forest, is famous for its fairs. The place is named after Raja Bharathari of Ujjain who took 'Samadhi' in this holy place. Devotees gather to this place from all over the state, on 8th of shukla-paksha, which is in the Bhadon month of Hindu calendar.
The Kankwadi fort: A jeep safari in the dense forests will bring It is Sariska’s link with Mughal history – the place where Dara Shikoh was held captive by his brother Emperor Aurnagzeb. Now overgrown with weeds and shrubs, it stands majestically on a hill overlooking the Kankwadi plateau and a small lake surrounded by a few Gujjar (a tribe) villages. Do not forget to capture this breath-taking picture with your camera.
Accommodation options
At Sariska one can stay at the RTDC hotels or the Sariska Palace. Since, Alwar is quite close, one an even stay at a hotel there. Just off the Alwar-Sariska road, is the Siliserh Lake and has a palace overlooking it, which has been converted into a tourist resort. This too can be a good option to feast your eyes on the wildlife from close quarters.
Prime Attraction: Sariska Wildlife sanctuary and Tiger Reserve famous for its Tigers
Sariska at a glance
Situated in the state of Rajasthan, with the Aravali Hills in the backdrop, Sariska has increasingly become synonymous with the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary which was taken into the folds of the Project Tiger in 1979. Sariska’s mention in the tourist hitlist however does not end with its plenteous flora and fauna. It is a place of historical importance too and the spread of architechtural ruins, temples and monuments all over the confines of Sariska’s 800 sq-kms is a glaring testimony of its rich heritage and glorious past. However, the mushrooming human population and the illegal poaching activities, which is believed to have recieved impetus by the villagers wanting to protect their livestock, have caused a serious damage to the wildlife recluse. In 1997, the tiger populaiton was recorded a staggering 24. Conservation efforts have thus become part of the national agenda to save this royal predator from extinction.
Wildlife Adventure in Sariska
The landscape of Sariska comprising hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range, supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. This plays a desirable host to the tiger species. Other predators of the forest include the panther, jungle cat, jackal, hyena and fox. They, and their herbivore counterparts like the sambhar, chital, wild boar, nilgai, civet, four-horned antelope, gaur (Indian bison) can be spotted on the shores of the Siliserh Lake. Hundreds of avian fauna animate the Kalighati waterhole. Grey partridge, golden-backed woodpecker, Great Indian horned owl and white-breasted kingfisher – all can be spotted. Crocodiles, however, are the major inhabitants of this lake and observing them basking on the shores of the lake can be an awesome experience.
The best time to visit Sariska is between November and March. During this time the weather is tolerable and chances of spotting the animals are most. But tigers are mostly seen during summers reclining near water holes.
The Sariska National Park offers a wide range of activities such as motor driving in and around the park in the mornings and evenings, observing the wildlife at the waterholes, or photographing wildlife from the many hideouts provided in the park. Reaching Sariska
Sariska is merely 35 km from Alwar, so one can take a bus or a cab from Alwar. One can also come to Sariska from Jaipur, which is very well connected to other cities by air, rail and roads. From Jaipur one can also go to the Wildlife Sanctuary by Jeep.
Don’t forget to check these out....
Pandupol: South-east from RTDC’s Tiger’s Den, is Pandupol. It is believed that the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata, spent part of their exile here. One can still see five boulders here, which represent the five Pandavas and Draupadi, their wife. Pandupol is also the name of the 35-ft waterfall arising from near a deep crest in the Aravalli Ridge, believed to have been created by the strongest of Pandavas - Bhima. His duel with Lord Hanuman also led to commemorating this place with a Hanuman Mandir visited by pilgrims across the nation.
Temples: Located inside the park are ruins of about 300 Hindu and Jain medieval temples. Naldeshwar, an old Mahadev temple, is located just off the Sariska-Alwar main road. Talvriksh, towards the north of the Park with its grove of old trees is another centre for pilgrimage. The Bharathari Temple, located at the edge of the forest, is famous for its fairs. The place is named after Raja Bharathari of Ujjain who took 'Samadhi' in this holy place. Devotees gather to this place from all over the state, on 8th of shukla-paksha, which is in the Bhadon month of Hindu calendar.
The Kankwadi fort: A jeep safari in the dense forests will bring It is Sariska’s link with Mughal history – the place where Dara Shikoh was held captive by his brother Emperor Aurnagzeb. Now overgrown with weeds and shrubs, it stands majestically on a hill overlooking the Kankwadi plateau and a small lake surrounded by a few Gujjar (a tribe) villages. Do not forget to capture this breath-taking picture with your camera.
Accommodation options
At Sariska one can stay at the RTDC hotels or the Sariska Palace. Since, Alwar is quite close, one an even stay at a hotel there. Just off the Alwar-Sariska road, is the Siliserh Lake and has a palace overlooking it, which has been converted into a tourist resort. This too can be a good option to feast your eyes on the wildlife from close quarters.
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