Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park (बांधवगढ राष्ट्रीय उद्दान) is one of the popular national parks in India located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central part of india. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 with an area of 105 km². The buffer is spread over the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals 437 km². The park derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which is said to be given by Hindu Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka (Ceylon). Hence the name Bandhavgarh (Sanskrit: Brother's Fort).

This park has a large biodiversity. Bandhavgarh has the highest density of Bengal tigers known in the world, and is home to some famous named individual tigers. Charger, an animal so named because of his habit of charging at elephants and tourists (whom he nonetheless did not harm), was the first healthy male known to be living in Bandhavgarh since the 1990s. A female known as Sita, who once appeared on the cover of National Geographic and is considered the most photographed tiger in the world was also to be found in Bandhavgarh for many years. Most of the tigers of Bandhavgarh today are descendants of Sita and Charger.

With the tiger at the apex of the food chain, it contains 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, about 80 species of butterflies, a number of reptiles. The richness and tranquility of grasslands invites pairs of Sarus Cranes and other migratory birds which   breed in the rainy season. (June-September)

The 105 km² of park area open to tourists was reported to have 22 tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 km². (Population estimation exercise 2001). There is a saying about the Park that goes: "In any other Park, You are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don't see (at least) one." Well, Such sayings are common for all parks.

Bandhavgarh tiger reserve is densely populated with other species: the gaur, or Indian bison are now extinct or have migrated elsewhere; sambar and barking deer are a common sight, and nilgai or blue bulll to be seen in the open areas of the park. There have been reports of the Indian Wolf (canis lupus indica), hyena and the caracal the latter being an open country dweller. The tiger reserve abounds with cheetal or the spotted deer which is the main prey animal of the tiger and the leopard (Panthera pardus).

Among important carnivorous found in the park are Leopards, Caracals, Indian Wild dogs or Dholes, Jungle Cats, Jackals, striped Hyenas, Small Indian Civets, Ratels (honey badger) and the Flying Foxes. The herbivores population in the park includes Gaurs (world's largest oxen), Sloth Bears, Rhesus Macaques, Sambar, Chital, Indian Muntjac, Chausingha (4-horned antelope), Nilgai (blue bull), Chinkara, Barking Deer, Wild boar, Langurs, Black-napped Hare and Indian Mongoose among many others. The important reptiles found in Bandhavgarh Sanctuary are the Rock Python, Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait and the Rat Snake to name a few.

Bandhavgarh National Park also supports a sizable population of birds. The year round flowering and fruiting of trees attracts thousands of birds to the park. So far, around 250 species of birds, comprising of both resident and migratory birds, have been identified and listed in the park. The most commonly seen birds in Bandhavgarh National Park are the Bee-eaters, Blossom-Headed Parakeets, Drongos, Common Teal, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Little Grebes, Lesser Adjutants, Lesser Whistling Teal, Minivets, Pied Hornbill, Paradise Flycatchers, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Red Wattled Lapwing, Steppe Eagle, Tickell's Flycatcher, White-eyed Buzzard, White-breasted Kingfisher, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Wood shrikes and Warblers among many more.

It is the abundance of water and prey here that makes a lot of Tigers comfortable in the Tala Range for sure, not that the neighbouring ranges like Magdhi and Khitauli do not have prey and water they have but something special about Tala Range. 

The Bandhavgarh Fort which stands tall, the beautiful meadows of Chakradhara, Raj Bhera and Sehra, besides some unimaginably beautiful spots like the Climbers point, Rampur Pahari, Sita Mandap which are the key for captivating tourists. 

Safaris in Bandhavgarh!

There are 3 ways you can do a safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park
The first is your own transport, preferably a 4-wheel drive. (It is however necessary to take along an authorized guide.) But take my advise and do not do this mistake as the road are quite bumpy, and you can have a very uncomfortable ride in your vehicle, also with windows panes rolled up you cannot hear any alarm calls, the forest guide with you cannot see any pugmarks, so your chances of wasting petrol, as diesel vehicles are not allowed inside the park, are very high.
The second option are the numerous authorized 4-wheel drives run by the locals, which are available from the hotels and rest houses you would be staying at. This is the best option available and a very exciting one at that, as most visitors prefer an open a safari into the jungle and being accompanied by a professional naturalist who will guide them through the forest.

The third is an elephant ride. This happens are booked the same day depending upon the availability. Commonly known as Tiger show, it normally happens when the Tiger has been tracked by the forest department inside bush.
Elephant Safaris

All the national parks in the country differ in the activities and the facilities that they offer to their visitors. Like wise Bandhavgarh too has certain unique selling point. There is a controversial method which is called "Tiger Shows". For these shows, the mahouts head out in the wee hours of the morning and track down a tiger. Once the tiger settles down in a spot, the word is spread and all visitors are taken for short rides from the nearest point on a jungle track.

This, although it ensures that almost all visitors to the park go back with happy memories of a "sighting", is never as exciting as chance sightings from the tracks. Not knowing what one has in store sometimes is no doubt more challenging than knowing the whereabouts of the animals. 

Places to See in Bandhavgarh National Park
1.Sidhababa - The Holy Meadow : The marshy is the abode of Sidhababa
2. Chakradhara - The Sprawling Meadow : Surrounded by the hillocks, this marshy meadow is rich in both flora and fauna.
3. Gopalpur - A Place for Bird Watching : Approach with a slow drive may give you moments of memorable sighting of wild fauna.
4. Shesh Shaiya - Origin of River Charanganga : This statue of lord Vishnu reclining on the seven hooded scrpent is the classic example of the architechtural treasure of the past.
5. Bari Gufa - Ancient Monument of Past : This is the biggest man made cave of the reserve dating back to tenth century.
6. Ketkiha - Pendanus Point : This wet patch of aromatic plant Kewra in the shadow of lofty jammu and arjun trees is the real treasure of floristic wealth of the Rreserve.
7. Bhitari Bah - Tranquility in Wilderness : Blissful drive along the meadow will induce thrills of jungle and feeling of lingering relaxation.Look for the important medicinal .
8. Three Cave Point - The Archaeological Remains of past : These caves visible from ganesh hillock road are the mute testimony of rich historical past.
9. Rajbahera - The Bandhaini Hillock View : This marshy meadow is the origin of river Dammer.Look for the storks, vultures and herds of chital, samber and wild pigs.View of Bandhaini Hillock is an additional attraction.
10. Climber's Point - Nature's Beauty : Woody climbers of butea superba and Bauhinia wahlii amidst the giant sal trees offer spectacular view for the tourist.
11. Sehra - The Fort View : This is the biggest meadow of the Reserve.Look for the breeding pair of saras crane in the month of june.It harbours the insectivorous plant drosera.
12. Mahaman Pond - Place to Quench the Thirst : This water hole surrounded by bamboo clumps is an ideal place to watch variety of hervivores and carnivores.

Bandhavgarh Fort : The oldest fort in India, considered to be more than 2500 years. One-hour trek upto the fort is worth the effort. The charm of this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored. Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best to take a guide. Apart from the avatars, well worth seeing are three small temples of around the 12th century. These temples are deserted but the fort is still used as a place of worship. Kabir Das, the celebrated 16th century saint, once lived and preached here. The natural ramparts of the fort give breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. Vultures wheel around the precipice which also attracts blue rock thrushes and crag martins.The fort still belongs to the Maharaja of Rewa and permission is required to visit it. However permission is available locally and no trip to Bandhavgarh is complete without making an effort to climb up the fort. The staff of the resort carries your lunch while you are busy negotiating the trek upto the fort.

Places to See Around the Park 

Village Tala : To view a day in the life of an Indian village, where the pace of life is still measured by the rhythm of the seasons. The humble dwellings, the mud clustered houses, the elders smoking hookahs sitting on a cot, are some of the common scenes which signify that the time stands still in certain areas of the world even today.

Baghel Museum : Located only 100 metres from the resort, it houses certain precious belongings of the Maharaja of Rewa who maintained Bandhavgarh as his Shikargah, or a game preserve, a stuffed white Tiger still stands in the museum amidst certain personal belongings of the Maharaja.

Bhamera Dam : 20kms from the resort, huge water bank in the neighboring Panpatha Sanctuary, good place for water birds.

Gharpuri Dam : 10 kms from the resort, adjoining on the outskirts of Bandhavgarh National Park Good Place for Water birds.

Chenchpur Waterfall : 44 kms from the resort. 

Best Time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh defies all logic, most of Wildlifers think that hotter it gets better the Tiger and other game sightings near the water hole. For Bandhavgarh, it is applicable but only partially, the Tiger sightings are great from October till June. Sloth Bear sightings are good March till May, as they come out to eat a local flower called “Mahua”, the locals collect this flower to make a local alcohol as well. For Birds Bandhavgarh is good from November till March. 

Banghavgarh Travel Information

Bandhavgarh national park is well connected with all the major cities and station in india

Umaria : 35 km/ 45 min

Khajuraho : 270 km/ 6 hrs.

Jabalpur : 190 km/ 4 hrs.
Satna : 120 km
Delhi : 978 km
Gwalior : 565 km
Katni : 102 km

How To Reach There :

By Air:
Fly from Delhi, Agra or Varanasi to Khajuraho and drive (7-8 hours) to Tala park entrance at Bandhavgarh. Nearest airport from the park is Khajuraho.

By Rail:
Nearest railway station is Umaria after Katani railway station, from there it is about 40 minutes drive to Nature Heritage. Alternatively, take the overnight train from Delhi to Umaria and drive (30 minutes) to the park. Only jeeps are available for transfers. Khajuraho / Bandhavgarh distance is 250 Kms, (8 hrs drive).