Situated amidst enchanting hills of Vindhya mountain ranges in Madhya Pradesh, India, Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the finest and most picturesque tiger reserves of India. Covering an area of only 448.7 sq km, it's a small park but has a relatively high density of game. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for its rich and diverse flora and fauna, including the famous white Tigers of Rewa. One of particular mention, captured by maharajah Martand Singh of Rewa in 1951, was the legendary white Tiger named Mohan, now on display in the Rewa summer Palace. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is perhaps the highest in India, promising better opportunities to track this wonderful animal in his own habitat.
Bandhavgarh wildlife sanctuary was once a favorite game preserve of the maharajas of Rewa and their guests. Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh of Rewa shot 111 tigers by 1914, a figure that was slightly above the auspicious number of 109 tigers, considered a good omen for kings. This mindless killing of tigers in Bandhavgarh continued till 1968, and stopped only when the region was declared a national park. Besides tigers, Bandhavgarh also has a sizable population of leopards, dholes (wild dogs), jungle cats, striped hyenas, Indian civets, flying foxes, gaurs (world's largest oxen), sloth bears, Rhesus macaques, Indian Muntjac, chausingha (4-horned antelope), nilgai (blue bull), barking deer, wild Black-napped hare and Indian mongoose to name few. Among reptile rock python, cobras, common kraits and rat snakes are commonly seen in the park. Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary also shelters over 250 species of birds, including bee-eaters, drongos, parakeets, gray hornbills, storks, grebes, paradise flycatchers, peafowl, steppe eagles, buzzards, warblers, white-breasted kingfishers and many more.
The landscape of the park consists of steep and rocky hills with flat tops and grasslands in the valleys. The vegetation here chiefly comprises of moist deciduous forest with fine Sal trees with stretches of bamboo and grassy meadows, gradually changing to mixed deciduous forest on the hills. The region receives high rainfall during rainy season (June to October) and its mean annual rainfall is 1,173 mm. The temperature also ranges widely according to seasons, with summers recording a high of 42° C in May and June, and winters around 4° C in December and January.
Other attractions of Bandhavgarh National Park include the ruins of ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, believed to be over 2,000 years old. The Fort has a number of fascinating sandstone caves, belonging to the pre-historic period with Brahmi inscriptions and colorful tiger images dating back to the 1st Century B.C. A jeep safari for wildlife viewing and tiger tracking in Bandhavgarh promises an exciting and unforgettable experience for visitors.
General Information
Best Time to Visit: February to June.
Nearest Town: Umaria (30 km)
Note: The Bandhavgarh National Park remains closed between July and October.
How to Reach
By Air: Khajuraho (230 km) is the nearest airport from Bandhavgarh that has good air links to Agra, Delhi and Varanasi.
By Rail: Umaria (30 km), on the Katni-Bilaspur route, is the nearest railhead from Bandhavgarh and the beast way to reach the place.
By Road: Bandhavgarh is situated on the Satna-Umaria and Rewa-Umaria highways. Regular bus services are available from Rewa, Satna, Katni and Umaria.
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