Bandhavgarh is the land of the
tiger. It is located in Umaria District in the State of Madhya Pradesh. It is a
National Park and a tiger reserve declared as a protected area by the State
Government. A part of the reserve is slated for tourism.
The reserve encompasses fifteen
hundred thirty-six kilometers. The current core area is 716 sq. km while the
rest is the outer limit or the buffer zone. Tourism is conducted in 20 percent
of the core area while some forest patches are reserved for tourism in the buffer
area.
Bandhavgarh is a paradise on the
Earth. It is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, bison, deer, rhesus
macaque, Hanuman Langur, jungle cats, rusty spotted cats, jackals, foxes, and
small predators. The antelope family comprises four-horned antelope and the
Nilgai.
Bandhavgarh is also a place that
comprises ancient ruins. These ruins are over two thousand years old and
comprise zoomorphic idols of Lord Vishnu, idols of Shiva, manmade caves,
temples, stables, reservoirs, and an ancient fort completely in ruins.
Over 170000 visitors arrive at
the reserve for holidaying, photography, and filming. Before finalizing the
trip to Bandhavgarh one should book a permit issued by the forest department of
Madhya Pradesh. The next step is to book a luxury hotel for accommodations.
There are also budget and deluxe hotels outside the reserve most of them are
situated near the Tala Village.
The trip usually begins from
Jabalpur Airport which is at a distance of 175 km. You can travel Jabalpur via
Shahpura and Umaria. The latter is just 32 km from the park. The road is good
and you can cover it in four hours. There are other routes to the reserve but
they are longer.
You can drive in your car or go for a taxi-booking as there are plenty available. For overseas visitors booking a taxi is
the best option. Air-conditioned taxis are available from Jabalpur. While going
for a holiday in Bandhavgarh you should carry all the essentials as the reserve
is situated in a remote place.
Kanha is also known
as Kanha Kisli, it is also known as the land of the tiger. It is home to the
hard-ground swamp deer. This deer subspecies now only survive at Kanha National
Park. The park is famous for the tiger but also for the saving of the critically
endangered swamp deer. From just 66 heads the population now ranges over 500
heads. The credit goes to the Kanha team and George Schaller from the USA.
Kanha is home to over
100 tigers in an area of 2000 sq. km. The core area of the park is 940 sq. km and
it is totally inviolate. No human activity except tourism in 20 percent area is
allowed. The park is well protected by forest guards whole live in
self-sufficient patrolling huts. There are more than 150 patrolling huts spread
all over the park. Tourists are not allowed in the rest of the core zone.
Tourism also takes
place in the buffer zone which is a multiple-use area. Besides the forest
cover, there are human settlements and their farms. They are allowed to rear
livestock. No commercial activities are allowed in the park. But there are
wildlife resorts in the buffer under strict regulations. Small trade is
possible in the buffer but no major commercial activities are permitted. While
core zone tourism is limited with restriction on entry of jeeps no such limit
exists in the buffer tourism zone at present.
Kanha Wilderness
Kanha is a tiger
reserve and a National Park under the aegis of the State Government of Madhya
Pradesh. Some tourism policies are advised by the NTCA which stands for
National Tiger Conservation Authority. It is a Central Government body that now
looks after the affairs of Project Tiger.
The wild animals
found at Kanha National Park are tiger, sloth bear, bison, chital deer, sambar
deer, swamp deer, fox, jackal, mouse deer, barking deer, Nilgai, and
four-horned antelope. Among the smaller fauna are porcupines, pangolins, jungle
cats, civet cats, and wild rats.
There are more than
250 bird species in the park. Among the noted avian species are the
white-tailed shama, orange-headed ground thrush, verditor flycatcher, Tickell's
blue flycatcher, Tickell's thrush, common grey hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill,
greenish warbler, Hume's warbler, booted warbler, Graylag geese, bar-headed
geese, and more. Some raptors are the crested serpent eagle, honey buzzard,
shikra, sparrow hawk, red-necked falcon white-eyed buzzard, and crested hawk
eagle. There are plenty of avians to be
seen on tiger safari.
A permit for a tiger
safari at Kanha is required. You can book the permits at MPOnline a Government
of Madya Pradesh Portal. Since the jeep entity is limited you should book the
safari in advance. Another option is to book a tiger safari at the gates
subject to availability.
Every wildlife photographer amateurs or professionals dream of photographing tigers in India. All filmmakers major or minor think of filming big cats in India. The country has more than 50 tiger reserves and more than 3000 adult tigers. Due to active protection, the number of these big cats is growing day by day as breeding has increased tremendously. The big cats give birth to more than 4 cubs every year, and rear them for two and a half years after which they breed again. The males can mate throughout the year till the ripe age of 14 years.
Though any tiger reserve can be chosen for filming the big cats, some destinations offer better opportunities due to the high number of sightings. The parks with very good sightings usually have high visitor traffic. These are the most visited parks but there is a limit to the number of people that can enter the reserve due to restrictions placed by NTCA and the State governments. The parks are divided into a few zones, and each zone has a limit. Most of the safaris are booked online on the State Government Portals while booking is also available at the reserve gates. You can also book a safari at the director's office or respective reserve, these are protected areas and have separate forest departments. The addresses could be found online on the Internet by typing the name of the reserves.
Best Tiger Reserves
Some of the best reserves are National Parks as well.
Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttrakhand
Kanha Tiger Reserve in Uttrakhand
Bandhavgarh In MP
Ranthambhore in Rajasthan
Pench National Park in MP
Panna National Park in MP
These NPs have more than 100 thousand visitors and are highly popular. While many amateur photographers and small filmmakers can use their skills to film on safari, making documentaries is costly and time-consuming.
For documentary makers, and professional photographers who need to cross the limits of regular safari need special permission from the Ministry of Environment or MOEF, and the principal chief wildlife warden or PCCF of the states. These are costly and require time for permissions to be granted if acceptable. It is not easy to organize photo tours in India for professionals. Wildlife filmmakers and professional photographers need to make a lot of arrangements for photography sessions and need the help of local guides.
The best is to take the help of the local tour operators who can help organize the sessions in the respective tiger reserves. The best choice is to go with Indian tour operators who can organize the documentary filming events. Remember there is a rush during the festive seasons and weekdays hence book safari in advance.
Bandhavgarh National Park is known for its enchanting
wilderness, and the tigers. But many people have no inclination toward ancient
idols cut from the rock and the inscriptions on the stone in the dense confines
of the park. The most amazing ancient structures are the Bandhavgarh Fort
complex and the idols of Lord Vishnu in zoomorphic forms. The original
structures were built by the Gonds that were subject to further additions by
many dynasties that came to rule here.
Tiger Safari at Bandhavgarh
The fort and its surroundings in the dense forests were
ruled by tigers and humans from time immemorial but the structures made by the
Gond civilization date back 2000 years. Gonds were worshippers of lord Vishnu
and other Hindu deities. On the top of the mountain, one will find idols of zoomorphic
avatars of Lord Vishnu. It is said that the fort was gifted to brother Laxman
by Lord Rama when he visited Bandhavgarh forests in exile.
The other structure that was carved in stones are courts,
horse stables, caves, and rooms and you will see stone wall now in ruins around
Bandhavgarh Hill. There are thirty-two steep cliffs and tabletop mountains at
Bandhavgarh. The terrain is characterized by steep cliffs deep glens and marshy
grasslands interspersed by rivulets.
Since the fort is out of bounds for tourism tourists cannot
visit the fort complex. They can go up to the Sesha Shaiyya or reclining
Vishnu. Sesh Shaiyya is a beautiful spot
where you can see the twenty feet idols of Lord Vishnu in a reclining position. The idol is crowned by the heads of the cobra
and the whole structure is covered in microscopic algae, fungi, and lichens.
Sesh Shaiyya is one of the most beautiful spots in the tiger reserve and must
visit. Those who are wishing to see the ancient structures must go for a tiger
safari at Tala in Bandhavgarh.
Rich in the wilderness the park is home to tigers, leopards,
wild dogs, sloth bears, bison, Nilgai, barking deer, four-horned deer, wild
boar, and monkeys. It is home to more than 250 birds including the winter
migrants.
For an exciting tiger safari at Bandhavgarh, a safari permit
is required. So book the safari in advance as the entry of vehicles is limited.
Safari can be booked online at MPOnline Portal. You can also ask the tour
operators to book a safari for you. They are in the know-how of the best zones
in the National Park for you to visit.
You can best reach Bandhavgarh from Jabalpur Airport at 175
km. The overnight train is also available from New Delhi to Umaria which is at
a distance of 32 km from Tala Township. Overnight trains from Mumbai and
Kolkata ply to Jabalpur in MP.
Inbound revenue generation comprises a significant amount of nature tourism. The global market size stands at USD 650 billion. India makes an impact in inbound revenue generation that fetches significant foreign exchange vital for the country's economy. Well, this is not all, nature tourism, like tiger tourism in India, is vital for sustainable local economies, and a large sum of revenue is plowed back into the conservation of the inheritance.
Book My Safari Team India (Award)
Tiger Tourism In India
In MP alone visitors' fee draws in rupees 13 crores plus every year and this money is plowed back into conservation. Hence when you make a visit to a tiger reserve you not only seek a holiday recreation you contribute to conservation as well in terms of entry fee, guide fee, hospitality charges, and whatnot. You contribute to the local economy as well which is vital for the conservation of our priceless inheritance.
Tiger in India
What Pays Stays
Nothing can be truer. The contemporary economy is an equity-based one, and income for survival plays a vital role in managing environmental concerns sustainably. Wildlife attracts crowds and draws revenue hence preserving takes precedence over neglect and destruction. The core benefit that these tiger reserves and the National Parks accord are employment and business to locals, infrastructure development in terms of schools, and dispensaries, diverse training for empowerment of women and children, and better mainstream connectivity.
The parks and hospitality industry employs a huge chunk of locals as guides, cooks, waiters, guards, and drivers. The tiger safari in the parks is regulated to prevent disturbance and harm to the animals. In spite of severe criticism, and a court case the ecosystem, on the contrary, has increased immensely and the tiger population has risen from 1411 to over 3000 since the beginning of Project Tiger Campaign in 1973. The inviolate core at the protected areas has proven to be the main savior of endangered tigers and other lifeforms. The buffer sustains old animals and growing populations of herbivores and tigers as well. Although conserving the sink is of major concern due to extreme human pressures nevertheless positive efforts are being made.
With over 52 tiger reserves, inbound tiger tourism is one of the main contributors to foreign exchange earnings besides the supporting income generated for domestic tourism.
Organizing a Safari Holiday in India
No wonder the concept of a safari holiday is on the increase globally. In India, the spurt is recent, beginning in the mid-nineties, and has begun to peak now. Though the ecotourism concept includes bird watching, tiger spotting, and spotting the country's endemic and rare animals spread all over, the mainstays are the reserves where the big cats thrive.
For overseas holidaymakers, wildlife enthusiasts, filmmakers, and photographers the preparation for tiger safari in India should begin at least six months in advance unless they are frequent travelers. For domestic travelers a few days ahead of planning is a prerequisite. Remember securing a safari permits is mandatory for excursions.
Book My Safari Company Mumbai
Among the top-ranking factors that you should consider for a memorable experience are:
Tiger Watching Success
Other Animal Watching Success
Birding Potential
Expectations
Popular Circuit
Local Experiences (Frequent Travelers)
A Classic Hospitality Experience
Reach
Ease of Travel
Safety
Smooth travel in a long itinerary (package tours)
The Best National Parks
There are many reserves that are well known for the high visibility of the big cats and tourists flock in large numbers to them. Though the purpose is a holistic visit, it is well known that the focus is on the tiger. But many other factors define a sound holiday experience.
Although there are few well-known National Parks in India, the ones listed below are most preferred.
Ranthambore National Park
Kanha National Park
Corbett National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park
Pench National Park
Tadoba National Park
These destinations rank highest among visitors as far as tiger sighting is concerned. But there are other factors that encourage visitors to choose them for a safari. Corbett, for example, is not only good for spotting big cats but also good for spotting a number of mammals and reptiles, besides it is the best place for birding. The bird species at Corbett range over 500 including the Palearctic migrants. It is close to birding hotspots like Sat Tal & Pangot in Nainital in Uttarakhand. The preserve gets crowded on weekends and festival times so plan your visit carefully.
Ranthambore is part of the famous Golden Triangle Tour that comprises visits to New Delhi, the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur the capital city of the State of Rajasthan. It is popular for the high visibility of predators and for bird watching in terms of the number of visitors, it could be most crowded so avoid a visit during the weekends and holidays.
Kanha, Pench, and Bandhavgarh form an extended circuit for package tours in Central India. Though the wildlife experience is the same, there are subtle differences that make tourists visit them often.
Bandhavgarh's inheritance includes panoramic sightseeing and exploring ancient tribal architecture that dates back over 2000 years. Kanha has been acknowledged as the world's best-managed park, it is home to the rare hard-ground swamp deer a race only found in this park.
Pench is Kipling's Country made famous by the movie Jungle Book based on Rudyard Kipling's esoteric novel the Jungle Book. Shere Khan, Bagheera, Baloo, Bandar Log, Tabaqui, and Kaa all can be seen on a visit. Though Mowgli is no more thousand of charismatic kids live around the neighboring villages. Another attractive feature of Pench is its vicinity to Nagpur Airport which is just 90 km away.
Tadoba is a recent success with a phenomenal number of sightings of the big cat. The tourism infrastructure is fast developing and attracting a large number of inbound tourists from many countries. It is about 140 km from Nagpur Airport.
Other Popular National Parks are:
Periyar National Park
Manas
Namdhapha
Wayanad
Nagzira Navegaon
Bandipur
Nagarhole
Mudumalai
Eravikulam
These destinations attract tourism on an impressive scale with unique sightings and wildlife experiences. They have a well-developed tourism infrastructure and can be reached easily.
Choosing Best Destination
If the tiger is the main focus, choose the first list for making a decision. Base your decision on the ranking factors listed above. Holidaymakers have their own reason for visiting wildlife places for recreation and rest. But if you consider the factors described above you will be able to have a good wildlife experience and tiger spotting of course. Choose a place based on your own preference besides the suggestions made here.
For travelers not interested in making their own arrangements package tours are the best. There are many package tour operators in India that provide good service. They can be verified using testimonials and TripAdvisor reviews or using references from friends and relatives.
Hectic urban life comes to a standstill as you set foot into the realm
of the tribal and the tiger.
All alone, I stood on the
tabletop mountain, transfixed by the looming spectacle of Lord Vishnu Idol on
the precipice. For a small-time travel writer, losing oneself in the void is
awe-inspiring, and a pathway to creativity.
As we traverse through the passage of life, we realize that some moments
are indelible, and even in a state of memory flux, they hang onto you like an
old family portrait on the wall. I could visualize the historical moment more
than two thousand years back when the zoomorphic idol was deftly carved out of
the igneous rock and placed on the precipice. As you stand aside the lion-faced
Visnu idol, you can visualize the Universe below your feet, and above you, the
massive ball of fire blood-soaked to the brim reminds you that life is real.
Bandhavgarh Grassland
The statue hung in a timeless
space all around me dwelling in eternity in an ambiance of absolute silence and
serenity. Bandhavgarh is one place in India where art and history come together
in the remote wilderness. Driven by passion and faith, the tribal of
Bandhavgarh carved timeless masterpieces that still linger like a nature quiz
with many questions unanswered.
With all the available land in
the open plains, why did the tribal venture deep into the forest to create this
fascinating architectural complex? It
was certainly a matter of faith, and the zoomorphic idols and the ancient
structures are a bold statement. Another reason was to avoid the ravage
of frequent wars with the neighboring clans.
Bengal Tiger
The aging rock structures are all
black, buff, and steel blue colored by the vermillion paste and impregnating
layers of microscopic vegetation. Well preserved, somewhat pock marked by
erosion, the zoomorphic idols are the road to the rediscovery of our ancient
culture.
The inert, aging, idols are a
rejuvenating sight when you venture into the mystical land. Bandhavgarh Fort
hangs in total ruins in the large complex,
but scattered architectural marvels have survived the evolutionary
forces that prevail on the Earth. In life nothing is permanent, but
incredulously these idols seem to overpower the phenomenon called change. Lord
Vishnu manifests here as tortoise, fish, boar, and lion. The aging brick walls,
large reservoirs, and crumbling temple structures are found all around the
complex. Only three temples stand in a perfect state of preservation perhaps built much later by a victorious Maharajah. Laxman Temple stands apart and is much visited by locals on holy occasions. A priest trudges 11km from the Tala village to tend to the Hindu temple. Tigers hide in the grassland and prowl all around the complex, they
frequent the place to breed and hunt. The place is out of bounds for tourists
now. Tigers rule Bandhvagarh!
Bandhavgarh More Than
A Tiger Land
Gond tribal inhabited this land, and
ruled over the vast stretch of forests that have now been fractured and culled
beyond our imagination. Bandhavgarh is the land of the tiger, but it is much
more. On one visit it becomes apparent that the paradise holds sights of wild
animals, birds, and ancient marvels that are going to make your holiday in the
wild incredulous.
Historical scars proliferate the
ruins and depict tales of conquests and defeats. Many dynasties came to rule
the region and were vanquished when overpowered. Situated at the height of 800
MSL the highest mountain is called Bandhavgarh which gave the tiger reserve and
National Park its name. All around are steep cliffs and tabletop mountains
embedded amidst the forest glades and deep glens fed by sparking mountain
rivulets that create an absorbing panoramic landscape. The picturesque terrain
is a spectacle beyond belief, and it excites the sensory apparatus at one
go. The mountain fort at the top was a
gift to brother Laxman by Lord Rama as the story goes and hence named
Bandhavgarh (Bandhav = brother, Garh=Fort). A large crowd of tribal and locals walk
through the forest and negotiate the steep ascent to the fort during Ram Navmi
and other Hindu festivals as an annual pilgrimage. On that day, the
out-of-bound tiger reserve is open to the pious.
Sesh Shaiyya or Reclining Vishnu
lies midway, a thankful respite for the weary pilgrims. While the fort complex
is out of bounds for the tourists Shesh
Shaiyya is not. It is a fairy tale grove shaded by Jamun and Sal towering over
an inert pool covered with moss and algae.
A twenty feet reclining idol of
Lord Vishnu crowned by a multiheaded cobra lies beside the pool. Water trickles
down like a minuscule fall from between thick ferns and grass creating a
mesmerizing spectacle. This is the spot to be to realize the essence of this
enchanting paradise. Traces of
vermillion, scattered flowers, and exhausted incense sticks indicate that the
fort priests and tourists on tiger safari pray to the Lord on frequent visits.
Hinduism is a colorful religion with ample freedom to pray with few
restrictions.
Situated in Central India, Bandhavgarh National Park is ideal for tiger safari holidays. One needs to book
permits and accommodations in advance. The park is closed during the monsoon
from July to September end.
For booking holidays contact MP Tiger Safari
Company: +91 8889469120
Kipling Country Geography - Central Indian Highlands
Although Kipling's Jungle Book revolves around Seoni Hills, the turbulent tiger landscape was a part of the Central Indian Highlands a contiguous forest patch encompassing more than 10000 sq. km. The Sal, Teak, and mixed forests are home to incredible biodiversity in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Incidentally, Seoni Hills now encompass Pench Tiger Reserve where BBC filmed the famous documentary "The Spy in The Jungle".
The Central Indian Highlands were much accounted for by Captain James Forsyth a British explorer in the 18th Century in his book the "Highlands of Central India". The primary focus of the narrative was the terrain, wildlife, and humans of Satpura Range which meets Vindhya Range at Maikal Hills in Amarkantak.
Tiger
In the context of habitat continuity and matching terrain, it is difficult to limit Kipling Country to any particular region in Central India that formally straddled the Vidharbha region as well. The region comprises similar habitats with a little variance except for the niche ecosystems at places due to the impact of local geography and floral content.
Maps portraying the geographical boundaries of present-day India differed from antecedents during British Rule. While it is meaningless to broach this topic, the author wishes to redefine Kipling's Country from a true geographical perspective and allay the conflict regarding the placement of Kipling Country. The geographical composition that Kipling pens in all the chapters of "Jungle Book" is prevalent from the origin of the Satpura to the whole of Vindhya an interconnected region now irrevocably fragmented.
“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”
― Rudyard Kipling, The Collected Works
Kipling's Personification of Wild Animals
Sher Khan the antihero is a legendary tertiary carnivore ironically crowned King of the jungle by man and is now critically endangered. The antihero fits well in the epic in the human context since Kipling skillfully brought forth the denizens of the jungle into life with their portrayal based as humans. Anyway, a story does well with a well-defined hero as the central character and an adversary hell-bent on destroying the hero and usurping all the goodies that come along with a win.
The personification of wild animals though a brilliant piece of work is nothing new, and in time immemorial the personification is apparent in the Holy Ramayana a factual narrative. While the phenomenon is attributed to the Supreme in the latter, Kipling's portrayal is a masterstroke of esoteric fiction. No wonder the Nobel Laurette was a genius of his times. It is difficult for a human to transfer our behavioral characteristics to beings incapable of emotions related to premeditated responses like vengeance, lust, fear, happiness, sadness, and empathy.
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”
― Rudyard Kipling
Kipling successfully endowed these behavioral characteristics to wild animals in his epic novel. No wonder the write-up was a legendary success despite being based in a dark time of extreme poverty and foreign subjugation. The human portrayal does not reflect the times since the very concept of the book dwells in the esoteric. Kiping was a white supremacist as I read in some articles, nevertheless, Indians have built a museum in his honor. Even after 75 years of independence, we are not able to shrug off the traits that define slave mentality, and for many, the white man stays superior. Indians are susceptible to non-native esoteric ideologies that flout native concepts. (All the creation and infrastructure during the Raj has come at a cost and the natives paid a heavy price for that to the erstwhile masters.) (And we still goad over the gifts).
The Jungle Book narrative is excellent for imaginary recreational pursuit but it does carry a wrong message.
Victimizing the Tiger & Impact of Literature
The tiger is, by all means, an animal considered at the top of the food pyramid, and labeled as King of the jungle. Nonetheless, he is portrayed as an antihero thirsting for the manchild's blood. The portrayal in several folklores including modern portrayals like in the Jungle Book has victimized the animal no end. This characterization of the big cat stems from the age-old threat perception of predators during those times in many parts of the World. The tiger in India was relentlessly slaughtered in the guise of human safety, its habitat destroyed as an agrarian necessity, and hunted down to prove killer instinct and masculinity in young officers during the Raj.
I read a book by an Indian author stating that in a period of ten years around 25 thousand tigers were butchered for a small price paid to the hungry vermin killers. It is not only the economic price we have paid for slavery at hands of the Mughals and the British, the cultural and demographic sacrifices, and the human toll has exceeded the limits set by genocide in the present context.
Pachmarhi
Despite the absence of anti tiger narrative in the Hindu Pantheon, the Maharajahs and Indian elites were as much responsible for the pathetic status of the tiger in Pre and Post Independent India. It was pure recreation justified by the unchallenged power of the throne, bestowed masculine perceptions and the religious sanctities accorded by the priests. The Satraps left no stones unturned to please their masters during and even after the Raj. In post-independent India, substantial revenue was generated from tiger shoots besides the ongoing slaughter. It was the WPA 1972 that stemmed the rot. More than 3000 tigers survive today thanks to intense tiger conservation.
Akela The Wolf & Other Predators
Akela's paternal endearment towards Mowgli, acceptance as a pack member, and Baloo and Bagheera's emotional attachment to the naked child are the personification of the human form. But ironically, the depiction clearly points toward the superiority of humans over lesser beings. We have yet to acknowledge that Earth belongs to all life forms. Baloo the bear, and Baghira are badly treated in human confines and the latter is on verge of extinction in India.
The story portrays Kaa the python, Tabaqui (Jackal), and other birds and animals as ugly and evil and this does not help in changing human perceptions about these beautiful creatures. Though there was no malicious intent as far as the book is concerned the characterization does no good. The predators are now on the list of critically endangered animals.
Highlands of Central India
This amazing landscape described above encompasses many tiger reserves and hill resorts. The reserves are home to the tiger and many species of mammals, insects, reptiles, and birds.
The reserves are wild holiday hotspots where tiger safari and birding trips are organized. All the holiday destinations are picturesque, and home to some spectacular panoramic spectacles. Tourism is well organized in these remote destinations, and there is a rush during the holidays and in the winter season. Unlike overcrowded hill resorts, tiger reserves are protected by limiting human entry and the safari is an experience in isolation since the jeeps rarely club together. Sooner or later the authorities will have to curb movement in the hill resorts as well.
Places of Interest
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
Panna Tiger Reserve
Bandhavgarh National Park
Pench National Park
Kanha Tiger Reserve
Satpura Tiger Reserve
Pachmarhi Hill Resort
Amarkantak Hill Resort
Sanjay Dubri National Park
Prior booking is advised for holiday making in these destinations. Tiger safari is organized only for permit holders. Permits are issued by MP State Government on MPOnline Portal. One must visit the hill resorts in summers but never during the holiday period, and thus, prevent stress on the infrastructure and the environment as well. Unfortunately, the hill resorts in Madhya Pradesh experience a greater rush during the weekends and the winter holidays.
Some family safe properties are :
Jabalpur/Nauradehi - Krisha Hotel & Culchuri (MPTDC) Jabalpur
Pachmarhi - (MPTDC Hotels)
Pench -Mowgli's Den, Jungle Home Pench & Tathastu Resort
Kuttappan, Nair, Vithal, Shukla, and Thakur all names come alive when reminiscence strikes. On my first visit to Bandhavgarh National Park and a Tiger Reserve, I was hooked. "This is it!"I said to myself. Since then an nth number of visits have followed, and continue till this day. The characters named here were associates that turned the dream safaris into a reality in the tiger land.
Whence you get the first glimpse of the mountains driving on the road to Tala from Umaria you feel like paradise is right here. It is!
Bandhavgarh is more than a tiger reserve, it is a hill resort and cradle of an ancient tribal civilization. The numerous telltale signs of ancient India, forts, caves shelters, idols, and temples all spring a surprise as you journey into the wilderness overgrown with herbs and shrubs, tall trees, and grass.
Nevertheless, a perfect ecosystem, the mountain rivers add to the sheen and glamour of this panoramic wilderness in remote India. The drive in the undulating terrain created by geological upheaval from the day the Earth was born has created an amazing tapestry that mesmerizes at very first sight. The inaccessible heights remain as they were since the time of creation chiseled to perfection - the shapes and size - by indomitable forces of nature.
Romance is instant, the hustle and bustle of a big town are left behind once you reach the park confines and absolute calm prevails in this amazing wilderness home of enchanting animals and birds.
Reclining Vishnu
Whence you visit the structures in the park especially Shesh Shaiyya time comes to an absolute halt. The only living element besides you is the cool mountain breeze that brushes past you gently. The picturesque spot is a visit to witness esoteric emblems that have been seamlessly inserted into the surroundings such as to create oneness with nature. Modern architecture fails in this respect. The grove is a blessing for the parched with aching limbs, and I lie down on the parapet of the encircling wall and fall in deep reverie.
What do you do whence you come across the esoteric?
You simply imbibe in absolute silence to enable your sensory apparatus to grasp and digest. Almost fairy tale atmosphere prevails at Sesh Shaiyya, the resting place of Lord Vishnu where he sleeps as a twenty feet reclining idol carved out of igneous rocks. Lying listlessly, the structure crowned with Sesh Nag (Cobra) is frozen in time awaiting resurrection perhaps. Nevertheless, fed by the mountain river Charanganga the magical lair comprises an algae-layered pond and fern-covered rocks on the mountainside. Lichens, fungi, and algae create a colorful mosaic in the surroundings like an artistic creation. The patterns on the rocks and the idol placed amidst the tropical greenery simply spellbind. The place dwells in an environment of absolute tranquility and peace.
The only buzz of activity is the humming of the birds and bees and sometimes an occasional blood-curdling roar of the tiger. Then silence prevails...you can imagine the hoofs of horses as soldiers climb the tortuous ascent on the way to the fort at the top of the mountain. The cool ambiance of the place and water all around provided succor to tired soldiers returning from internecine wars.
When you climb the fort, the World fades into a distance and everything appears alien till you reach the idol at the precarious edge of the mountain. The Idol looms large on the edge of the mountain weathering the winds. One look and then you realize that the World is real and ruled by celestial entities. Imagine!
All alone, amidst the tall grass and azure blue sky above, the pathway seems to be the road to Nirvana. Be careful, tigers and leopards lurk around the bushes. My nerves rattle, and my mind is in delusion, but I keep pumping up ahead in the rising heat. I am searching for my photographer friend. And there she is a lady from the distant land of Germany.
The fort is in shambles with broken walls as evidence but the large reservoirs created more than 2000 years back still survive. So does the temple dedicated to Ram, Janki, and Laxman. The place is littered with broken structures...they are nevertheless captivating religious artifacts...Hinduism is a colorful religion and so are the paraphernalia and the rituals associated with the practice. It is all evident here at the top of Bandhavgarh Mountain on the premises of the ancient fort.
A gift to brother Laxman by Lord Ram an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the fort is aptly named as such (Bandhav = brother, Garh = Fort). A fort for brother Laxman and true to the heavenly stature in essence the fort is very much alive. A pujari (Hindu Priest) walks for eleven kilometers through the absolute wilderness to pray in the land of the tiger. Stoic, unruffled by the big cats, snakes, and predators he has been conducting prayers ever since the erstwhile Maharajah of Rewa inducted him into the holy service.
Zoomorphic idols of Lord Vishnu in various animal avatars are the object of extreme intrigue for the uninitiated and are not familiar with Hinduism's existential philosophy. The vast expanse of the place makes you feel tiny like a spec in the Universe. An eagle flying overhead its call ricocheting across steep cliffs creates a picture of heaven as we climb down the mountain.
*Note the fort is out of bounds now but you can drive up to reclining Vishnu. You will need a safari permit for Tala Range. Bandhavgarh is accessible by four hours drive from Jabalpur Airport in Central India or the State of Madhya Pradesh.
============================
================================================
Uday is a blogger and offers Seo + Content For Digital Marketing Services.
He teaches digital marketing (SEO) in Jabalpur.
He freelances as a naturalist/birder at Kanha National Park. He loves to write on travel.
Divided between India and Bangladesh the estuary is called as Sunderbans on both sides. It is an amazing mix of land and aquatic habitats where the tides rule the roots. The emerging aerobic roots are the highlight of this ecosystem that gets full of slush in low and is completely submerged on high tide.
In Hindi Sunderban means beautiful mangrove forests, beautiful yes but one of the most difficult terrains on Earth. Life here is a tough prospect, the delta that eventually merges into the Indian Ocean. Slush, poodles emerging aerobic roots like daggers and thick canopy always hamper movement but offers great camouflage to the predators be they the tiger or the deadly salt water crocodile.
Bengal Tiger
The term Bengal tiger originated here. The mangrove forests belong to West Bengal State of India and hence their proliferation first noticed here named then after the State. This happened during the rule of British in undivided India.
Today more than two hundred tigers survive in this delta a confluence of three rivers namely Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra. These are the lifeline of this ecosystem and eventually merge into the sea.
Adapting to ever changing environment is a constant struggle and hardship especially for the tigers. Though the incidence of man eating is higher here not reason is attributed to the phenomenon. This could be due to the intrusion of humans in the thickets for homey collection and fishes which invites attack due to closer presence of the big cats while many attribute it to salt water. Well no exact reason has been found out but nevertheless intrusion is being prevented and steps are being taken to ameliorate.
Sunderbans National Park is a protected area in Bengal and is also notified as tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve. Tourism is organized here in twenty percent of the area. Subject to rules and regulation the activity offers good chance of sighting big cats and large number of mammals and reptiles that live here. The reserve is home to a large of avian species and a paradise for birders.
A miss-mesh aquatic system of rivers, creeks and wetlands the habitat is strikingly different from other tiger habitats in India. Four tourists the access point is Kolkutta the Capital of West Bengal from here two hours drive is required to reach the National Park. A cruise is an ideal way to explore this aquatic system.
For wildlife enthusiasts the boat safari in Sunderbans is the only way to experience it. There are many tour operators who organize the safari for visitors. The excursions can be booked online as well.
Situated in the Highlands of Central India Bandhavgarh is a paradise and tiger heaven. Wrongfully credited with sightings of the first and only white tiger in the World, the destination was contiguous with Sanjay National Park nearby in Sidhi District its rightful birthplace.
This tiger reserve nevertheless is one of the most prolific breeding grounds for the big cats. It is a land of upheaval with a tortured terrain charismatic and densely forested. Bare-faced steep cliffs jut out of the earthen womb as a huge surprise. The lofty land mass creates deep glens and marshy plains where mountain rivulets invade...they are the lifeline of this diverse ecosystem that supports a myriad of lifeforms. The big cats prefer to hunt in the marshy grasslands which slows the movement of the herbivores.
The National Park is ideal for animal and bird watching with a focus on the tigers. There are more than twenty-two mammals in the park beside a large number of reptilian species and birds. Ideal for wildlife holidays the destination also provides recreation and excitement on tour. Experiencing remote India has a calming effect with serenity and picture-perfect ambiance all around. The forests are home to peace and silence and the feeling is exhilarating.
There is a little-known secret of this destination. An ancient civilization that thrived more than two thousand years back has left telltale marks in form of a fort, temples, pool, and numerous structures that confine themselves to the Tala Zone. Created by tribal and dynasties that came to rule now and then the architectural splendor is like a cynosure in the deep jungles devoid of modern urbanity. The fort is out of bounds for tourists but Sesh Shaiyya a reclining statue of Lord Vishnu is worth a visit. It is a small pool under a grove that contains the statue and numerous trickles emerge from the fern-infested slopes of the mountain that inundates. It is an esoteric experience in the place where the tigress often breeds. The River Charanganga emerges from this mountain and flows down to the plains creating a spectacular biodiversity hub. Time stands still in these confines as if frozen for eternity.
Shesh Shhaiya
On the way to the park at Umaria about 32 km, you will also come across a 10th-century temple with the telltale architecture of ancient Central India. The access to reach Umaria and then Bandhavgarh is through Shahpura Township eighty km from Jabalpur Airport. The township is famous for plant fossils dating back 60 million years. The Fossil Park is situated on the way to Mandla and houses a museum or a collection of fossils along with a cafeteria. This is an ideal stop for freshening up and exploring the fossils.
Jabalpur to Shahpura via Kundum drive is safe and pleasant along the scenic surrounds, teak forests, green fields, and quaint hamlets situated in between the mountains. The rows of dhabas or eateries provide hot snacks and meals to travelers. They are small and hygienic places some with toilet facilities to facilitate this long journey.
Albeit there is not much need to make a stop nevertheless a cup of tea on the way is refreshing as you will encounter many little shops selling this wonderful brew. Most of the purchasing of essentials should be done at Jabalpur with flights connected to New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The railhead too is well connected.
A short holiday of at least two nights should be organized, and permits should be booked in advance at MP Online Portal. Entry into the core zone is not permitted to those without a permit. There is a number of wildlife resorts for accommodation which you can book online. These accommodations provide you with good food as well which includes Intercontinental and Indian.
Safaris are conducted in the early morning period and then in the late evening. The excursions are conducted on open jeeps and canters. On-foot safari and off-roading are not possible at Bandhavgarh Reserve.
For overseas visitors on tiger safari in Central India it is best to contact a tour operator. The packages available take care of all the bookings and journeys besides being economical. Group travel is the best means to travel on package tours organized for wildlife watching and birding.
The package tours also include travel to Kanha National Park at a distance of five hours via Shahpura from Bandhavgarh. Kanha is a popular tiger reserve and much visited.
The majestic beast lay stretched on the jungle road, rather half of its massive frame was on the path under the direct sun, and the rear end was under the shadow of the bush. Excited, I made a near fatal error and persisted.
We had inched a shade too close to the massive beast as I delivered sermon to unassuming but nevertheless excited guests. I have never seen a tiger in my life one of the guest had informed me as we crossed over into the park. I wish for lot of photographs he had informed me on our first meeting at Courtyard House in Kanha. As a naturalist I expect you to deliver.
And here was one lying right in front, unassuming and not at all threatening. Extolling the virtue of this majestic beast that lives in the myths and dreams alike, I was immersed in the dialogue and failed to notice the twitch. The next whence I looked at him straight I noticed the warning....it was too late.
It was all over in seconds. How could a beast so huge lift himself effortlessly and strike with lightning speed simply defies the law of gravitation? All I could see was a massive flash of yellow passing in front of the jeep and a deafening roar which still rings. The trepidation was instant and I was wobbly all over.
"Reverse!"
Fear writ large on my countenance! The tiger could have with one swift strike aimed right taken slabs of meat from my body. "A few kilos..." was all I could hear from the guide as pandemonium struck and we backed off. Or he could have wrenched my head off...I began to surmise the worst, pacified by the increasing distance from the beast in the bush.
Some lovely images my guest who had never seen a tiger in his life remarked. "I would like some more photos! Totally out my senses I could but just stare at him. Unbelievable. He sat calm and composed a camera with a huge lens on his lap.
Mukul Yadav
"I am sorry the big cat is not used to humans and the jeep. We will stay away." After some time we tried to return on the guest's insistence but the following jeeps warned us to stay away. Rightly so.
I was totally unnerved. Well it happens you learn from mistake, never venture close to big cats without gauging their temperament. Like a gentlemen the beast did not harm me and was satisfied with the warning. For some time the new entrant charged on number of jeeps till he got used to the introduction. He had arrived from a non tourist zone and had not seen the jeep before.
There is another similar incident but for later...
With right guidance a photographer has ample opportunity to film or capture images of this magnificent predator at Kanha National Park. There are more than hundred tigers in the park. Before you begin to consider this animal as commoner loitering on the wilderness infested pathways you must know these big cats are most elusive. This is the character of the beast and requires lot of logic to track them. They are a challenge to your sensory apparatus and understanding of behaviour and your patience.
Safari Jeeps
In the torturous terrain of deep glens, tall grass, a cryptic maze of vegetation and dense forests the big cats find easy camouflage and space to hide. Tiger tracking could often be frustrating experience for the guests and the naturalist as well. That is the character of this animal.
Rare and endangered, it is flourishing at Kanha. Year on year visitor numbers are increasing on quest for the magnificent beast. A large chunk of wildlife photographers arrive here at the tiger reserve to capture award winning images.
Male Tiger (Paul Fear)
Kanha's tiger landscape is a paradise with panoramic settings, frequent tiger sightings and exciting adventures. Amazing variations in light conditions are available to enhance effects in all seasons with equally striking backdrops. The destination is well suited for photography and film making in India. The efforts have to be made within rules and regulations set for safaris on open jeeps in the park. For going beyond the rules for photography/film making one needs to have permission from MOEF India and PCCF of Madhya Pradesh.
Courtyard House Kanha
The park is well endowed with tourism infrastructure and accessibility and accommodation is good. For booking tiger safari at Kanha you need to plan in advance. There is a limit to entry in the core zone of the park hence book permits in advance. For tiger photography long lenses are not required but it is a matter of choice, in my opinion 300mm critical focusing lens with bean bag is enough. An option of full day safari is also available which though costly suits the lensmen very well.
=======================================
Uday works as freelance naturalist at Kanha. He also provides SEO Service and website contents in English. Uday is a blogger and loves to write on tiger conservation, environment and wildlife in general. Uday teaches Internet Marketing in Summer Holidays.
Quaint and sublime, the forests of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve are a veritable paradise on Earth. Hidden deep inside in remote access of Central India - the park is an amazing biodiversity hub.
Known more for its tigers, one can experience India's enchanting wilderness at best here. Every year thousands of overseas and local visitors arrive here for a tiger safari.
The scattered ruins enhance the esoteric charm of Bandhavgarh suggesting history that dates back 2000 years. A game round takes you way back into a turbulent past of Maharajahs amidst teeming wildlife.
The diverse flora changes landscapes with startling fervor as you move into the bush country, dense forests, and rolling grasslands. The marshy landscape accord immense beauty and it is here that you can see the tiger in the wild.
Known for Sal (Shorea robusta) trees and the moist deciduous types abound along with mixed canopy. Though the reserve encompasses a large area of about eleven hundred km the tourism zone is restricted to four hundred plus km. This is a big enough window to peek into the magnificent wilderness.
Deer, bison, leopard, sloth bear, and wild dogs share the kingdom of magnificent tigers. Birds abound and are a treat to watch as they emerge from the dense canopy in resplendent attire. Bandhavgarh is a bird-watching hot spot in India sadly neglected and suppressed by the enigma of big cats. More than two hundred species can be sighted albeit in different seasons. Migrants arrive in winter and depart before the summer peaks.
The visitor profile changes with the seasons, and nature lovers and holidaymakers arrive in the winter and festive seasons. Wildlife photographers prefer extensive sunlight in the summer months despite the heat. The park is busy throughout but holidays and weekends should be avoided.
The fort is in ruins now, and out of bounds for the visitors but one must drive up to Sesh Shaiyya on the way. This is an enigmatic statue of Lord Visnu carved out of a twenty feet long igneous rock. The ensemble or ruins consisting of temples, stables, caves, and zoo-morphic idols enchant the visitors on a jeep safari.
The reserve is a National Park and a conservation unit, declared a protected area for saving the tiger from the brink of extinction. The efforts have been successful despite many hurdles. You can see the transformation yourself on safaris. Tigers and other mammals are sighted with a greater degree of frequency.
A set of rules apply for tourists which one must follow. A limited number of jeeps are allowed to enter the tourist zones every day. Hence you must book the entry in advance.
Located in the Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh, the connectivity for easy access is excellent. The nearest airport and rail hub is Jabalpur City. The drive from Jabalpur is about 175 km.
At this amazing Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, luxury hotels abound for accommodation. The tourism infrastructure is proper and a good degree of comfort prevails making the destination tourist-friendly. If you are planning a holiday in India do experience the exotic wilderness at its best
The peaks rise startlingly from the horizon as you drive towards Tala Village, an astounding view...and more has to come. Bandhavgarh is a land of surprises and a charismatic destination. An eerie feel hangs around, and chilly air of expectation runs down your spine, and your mind is in a state of fantasy. This is tiger land, India's primal forest home to many of these magnificent animals.
Tiger
Encapsulating diverse habitats and amazing biodiversity the tiger reserve is also a National Park. It is managed under the aegis of Project Tiger a GOI initiative. Situated in the remote confines of Central India or the State of Madhya Pradesh the tiger land keeps its promise. Expect a safari exciting and soul-stirring as never before experienced in the hinterlands of the long-stretching Vindhyan Mountain Ranges.
Bandhavgarh Meadow
The reserve comprises marshy grasslands, dense Sal and mixed forests, bamboo slopes, and rivers that twist and turn agonizingly all over this ecosystem eventually draining out of the park into chaotic human civilizations.
Jeep Safari
The salient feature of this paradise is the steep cliffs covered with dense canopy scarred with scarps and protruding spurs at many places. In between the cliffs, the safari vehicles move steeply uphill and then slide tortuously downhill in between the deep glens. The drive is strenuous with bumps and jerks, and negotiating sharp bends on the incline and slippery slopes tests the driver's skill no end.
All this makes the safari exciting especially whence you climb up the hill at literally an obtuse angle. A chance meeting with a tiger and other exciting animals like the leopard, gaur, sloth bear, and wild dog is always on cards to keep the adrenalin pumping and the heart missing a few beats.
Bandhavgarh Mountain
From the top of the mountains, the panoramic grandeur unfolds. The landscape changes correspondingly as the angle of view changes and your gaze is mesmerized. The tree tops, marshy grasslands, and surrounding cliffs with rivulets and pathways snaking in between are a sight to wonder at from the dizzy heights.
A tiger safari at Bandhavgarh is truly stupefying and thrilling on an open jeep. The sightings of tigers and other megafauna are very high in this little paradise and tourists flock around the open season to film and photograph these amazing creatures, some of which are endangered and nearly on the verge of extinction.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Whence you enter the park from the Tala Gate across the meadows the steep cliff encapsulating the fort wall on the ascent and the Ram Janki Temple accords an exotic view. The distance plays around with dimensions and the ancient temple appears as a tiny speck.
In midst of pristine forests, the telltale signs of human architecture is an esoteric experience. The stone wall stretches long for more than a mile and was used to prevent intrusion into the Gond Fort at the height of 800 MSL. This hill is named after the reserve and is the tallest.
In the Tala Zone at Sesh Shaiyya or reclining Vishnu time stands absolutely still. After an unnerving climb up the hill, the twenty feet idol lying adjacent to an ancient pool shaded by a grove is a mesmerizing sight. The grove shelters the pool and the idol trickles like a misty curtain flowing down the walls covered with ferns and shrubs. The curtain of tiny falls literally sliding down towards the idol through eroded walls covered with a slippery carpet of moss and lichens extols the creativity of ancient tribes it enhances the age of the edifice which could be around two thousand years ago. The situation is a fairy tale setting, and cool brisk air from the grove invites slumber even in the torturous heat of the summer.
Silence and serenity prevail transporting you back in time, a moment whence a troupe of soldiers came to rest here before climbing up to the fort. The intruding roar of the tiger awakens you from a fantasy daydream and fetches you back into the reality of the contemporary.
The climb up to the fort passes through numerous horse shelters, courtrooms, and caves entrenched in the mountain wall. The grand stone arch after a strenuous climb is welcoming, from here you enter the fort complex. The fort itself is in ruins but the zoomorphic idols of Lord Vishnu are spectacular and well-preserved. So are the huge reservoirs meant to sustain the large entourage of soldiers and royal households.
Langur Monkey
The large vacant spaces also contain numerous ancient architects in form of run-down structures. On one end as you climb up, the temple manned by old priests sits isolated but accords a magnificent view of the whole reserve.
The whole park is an ecosystem that supports more than fifty tigers and they can be seen during the safari in the tourism zones. Herds of Gaur or bison and chital can be seen in the company of langur monkeys, sambar, and the peacock in the grasslands.
Hindu Priest
The leopard is elusive but is seen often along with the sloth bear and the wild dog. Barking deer and saunders of wild boar are often encountered near the waterholes. In open areas herds of Nilgai antelope can be seen peacefully grazing in the grasslands.
Tiger safaris are organized during the day and in the evening. Tourists can also book full-day safaris especially wildlife photographers.
The best way to reach Bandhavgarh tiger park is via Jabalpur Airport which is a four hours drive, and also from Kanha Nationa Park which is a more five hour's drive. Overseas visitors should book the holiday through the tour operators and opt for the jungle plan which is all-inclusive.
TOFT Award Winner earlier worked as Sr. Naturalist at Kanha Tiger Reserve in Central India. Also a birding guide.
I also provide Internet Marketing (SEO) Services and website content writing in English. At present, he provides SEO and Content Writing Services to Above the Fold Agency in Mumbai.
Posts
