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| Home>>National
Parks>> Bandhavgah
National Park |
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Bandhavgarh National Park
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BANDHAVGARH
NATIONAL PARK TOURS: |
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BANDHAVGARH
WILDLIFE LODGES & RESORTS: |
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| The Bandhavgarh National
Park: |
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Location:
Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, on the Mysore-Ooty highway.
Welcome to the Bandipur National Park which is
famous for its rare birds and animals. Lying in
the foothills of the Nilgiris and standing 3300
feet above sea level, the national park beckons
nature lovers to experience its beauty
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| The
Bandhavgarh National Park has a large variety of flora
and fauna species using the forest as their haven.
More than 22 species of animals and 250 species of
birds grace this national park. This national park
was once home to the "White Tiger", which
was last seen 50 yrs ago. The population of big cats
in Bandhavgarh has made the park famous. The tigers
in Bandhavgarh are a distinguished lot, with many
of them playing important roles in wildlife films. |
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| The Fauna of Bandhavgarh
National Park: |
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| Animals in Bandhavgarh
National Park: |
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"Chinkara" (Indian gazelle), "Nilgai"
(blue bull) and "Chausingha" (four-horned
antelope), can be seen in the grasslands. The
grasslands are parts of the Forest which had
been once cleared for cultivation. "Chital"
(spotted deer), "Sambar" (Indian Stag),
"Muntjac" (Barking Deer) and "Nilgais
Antelopes" favour the denser parts of the
woods. "Wild Boars" can be viewed
wandering around in groups. The wild Gaurs move
around in herds grazing and lazing around. White
Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's
zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far
from here.
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"Blackbucks" have been reintroduced
to the park and can be seen around the Bandhavgarh
Fort, whose old masonry walls protect them from
Predators. The "Blackfaced langurs",
"Jungle cats", "Hyenas", "Porcupines",
"Jackals", "Foxes", "Wild
Dogs", "Chausinghas" and "Ratels"
are the other animals that reside in this national
park and can be seen easily. The reptiles living
there include "Cobras", "Kraits",
"Pythons" and "Turtles" and
more. |
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| Birds in Bandhavgarh
National Park: |
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| The
interesting collection of avifauna or birds draws
the birdwatchers to the park.
Different species of vultures like the "White
backed Vulture", "King", and the "Long-billed
Vulture", the "Serpent Eagle", "Green
Pigeons", "Blossom headed Parakeets",
the "Jerdon's and gold fronted leaf birds"
are just few of them which grace The Bandhavgarh National
Park, making it a virtual birdwatcher's paradise in
spite of it being named a 'Tiger Reserve" in
1993. |
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| The Flora of Bandhagarh
National Park: |
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| The
Bandhavgarh National Park is filled with tall and
thick Sal trees, with round leaves as well as Bamboo
trees. On the upper parts of the National Park, mixed
forests provides coverage for the animals and birds
alike. Parts of forest which had been cleared from
trees for use in cultivation, have now transformed
into beautiful grasslands. |
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| Tourist Information for
Bandhavgarh National Park: |
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The best time to visit the
Bandhavgarh National Park is from February to
June.
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The entry timings vary according
to the season, and depend mainly on the time of
sunrise and sunset.
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Transport within the park
can be arranged in three ways
- Your own transport, preferably a Four-wheeler,
can be used. But an authorized guide should
accompany you.
- Rent one of the many authorized four wheel
vehicles available from the resorts or hotels
you are staying in.
- Have an Elephant ride - (Since it is the most
preferred of all, it should be booked in advance,
otherwise you just might get disappointed).
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For those interested in buying
souvenirs, there is a small shop near the main
entrance of the national park, which sells a variety
of stuffs ranging from interesting maps and books
to small Key chains.
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| More Information on Bandhavgarh
National Park: |
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The Bandhavgarh Fort inside
the national park is one of the main attractions
of the park.
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The Bandhavgarh National park
has a mythological and historic significance attached
to it.
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Located in the core centre
of the park, it is said that the Bandhavgarh fort
dates back to the era of Rama and Laxman from
the epic "Ramayana".
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It is believed that the fort
was built by the same two monkeys who built the
bridge ("Setu") between India and Sri
Lanka, enabling Rama to cross over to Sri Lanka
and conquer the Kingdom of the demon King, Rawana.
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On their Journey back from
Lanka, Rama and hanuman used this fort to break
their journey.
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Later the fort was handed
over by Rama to his brother Laxman, who came to
be known as "Bandhavdhish" meaning "Lord
of the Fort".
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The present owner of the fort
- The Maharaja of Rewa - retains this Title.
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From the Historic point, the
Fort has been ruled by many dynasties, dating
from as far as the 1st century.
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The "Maghas" ruled
it initially, in the 3rd Century the Fort was
taken over by the "Vakatakas" and later
the "Sengars" ruled it in the 5th century.
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The Kalachuris were ruling
from the 10th century onwards.
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The caves dug into the sandstone
show the oldest signs of habitation, with several
of them containing Brahmi inscriptions dating
from the 1st Century B.C.
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Bandhavgarh was also ruled
by the builders/ architects of the Khajuraho Temples,
The Chandela Kings of Bundelkand.
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The Baghela Kings, who were
the ancestors of the Maharaja of Rewa, ruled from
12th Century onwards.
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Till 1617, Bandhavgarh was
their capital, after which they shifted their
capital to Rewa, 120 km to the North.
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Being shifted from the centre
of attention, didn't agree with Bandhavgarh, which
was neglected in the following years.
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But the forest benefited from
this state of affairs, and soon the flora and
fauna there begin to flourish.
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The royal family and their
guests started using the forest as a hunting reserve
- until the Maharaja handed over the area to the
government, keeping for himself only the fort.
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