Ranthambore
Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line, Swai Madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhor National Park- the famous Tiger Reserve , just 12 km away from here. Ranthambhor has been a witness to the raise and fall of many rulers and a series of battle scenes. In the 13th century A.D. Govinda, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagabhatta, beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain.In the middle of the 15th century A.D. Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangazeb. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting who stayed here.
Major Attraction: Ranthambore National Park.
Ranthambore fort
Perched at the top of the Aravali and Vindya Hill ranges, The Ranthambore fort spans over 7 kilometers in circumference. It is believed that this fort was built in 944 A.D by a Chauhan warrior. The interiors of the fort are beautifully carved. The most fascinating is the Hamir court where even a whisper could be heard. The architecture of the fort makes it an important travel attraction of Ranthambore, India.
Ranthambore National Park
The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills in the area, Ran and Thanbhor. Another version says that Ranthambore was once called Rana Stambhapura or City of the Pillars of War. It is located near Sawai Madhour township about 100 kms south east of Ajmer in Rajasthan, where the Vindhayas and the Aravalli Hills meet, the Ranthambore National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal, in the south, and Banas, in the north. It was established as a sanctuary in 1959 and included in the very first phase of Project Tiger in 1972. In 1981 Ranthambore was awarded National Park status. Characterized by rocky plains, flat hilltops, gentle slopes and precipitous cliffs, covered by dry deciduous forests. Ranthambore is virtually an island rich in flora and fauna in an ocean of villages, farmland and over grazed arid land.
A heaven for a multitude of wild animals, the park boasts of playing host to tigers, leopards, the elusive caracals, striped hyenas, sloth bears, jungle cats, wild boars, crocodiles and so on. Besides, there are over 300 species of birds, from the rare Indian Courser to the beautiful Painted Sand Grouse.
You can go for National Park rides, jeep safaris, camel rides, bird watching excursions and nature walks.
Best Season : September - March
How To Reach
Airways : Nearest airport is at Jaipur.
Railway: Sawai Madhopur is the nearest railhead.
Roadway: Linked to major Rajasthan cities.
