Bandhavgarh National Park

About the Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is the most visited and immensely famed tiger palace in Madhya Pradesh located in the Vindhya Hills of Umaria district. The park is recognized as one of the major destination opted for the tiger project on the wage of continuing the essential tiger project in India. by spreading across an area of 105 sq km the name Bandhavgarh has been acquired from the most prominent hillock of the area, flourished with high biodiversity and since the area is filled with large density of tiger population, Bandhavgarh stands among the most regarded national park preferably for tiger tours which is being visited at the best season of 15th of October to till 30th of June.

History

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has great connection with ancient legends and beliefs and the name also has ancient values with Ramayana, an old epic from Treta Yuga, which can be learnt from the ancient books of Narad Panch Ratra and Shiv Purana. The word Bandhavgarh is a concoction of two words: Bandhav & Garh where ‘Bandhav’ means brother and ‘Garh’ means Fort. So the meaning of Bandhavgarh is brother’s fort.

The presence of an ancient fort bearing the same name has equivalent value to attract many archeologist and heritage lovers amidst the pristine jungle area. It is said that Lord Rama gifted this fort to his younger brother Lakshmana after returning from Lanka after killing Ravana on the way to Ayodhya. The Bandhavgarh fort is scripted with many convincing evidences of human activities and architectural techniques and interestingly, the legend also tells that the ruined fort was being reconstructed by the monkeys who built a bridge between Lanka and the mainland. The fort also brings several man made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings.

Wildlife in Bandhavgarh

The land boasts of tremendous counts of several species like Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Tiger, Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur, Dhole, the small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel, Lesser Bandicoot Rat, Gaur, Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaque.

Flora in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

The foliage found in Bandhavgarh is mostly of dry deciduous type and is the only region which is quite rich in flora and fauna. The area brings relatively moderate climate and of course the favorable topography that uniquely supports the growth of a rich and varied flora in the park.

Most famed floral varieties to revive senses in Bandhavgarh area are :

Saj (Terminalia tomentosa), Tendu, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Palas (Butea monosperma), Mango (Mangifera indica), Babul (Accasia nilotica), Jamun (Blackberry) (Syzygium Cumini), Ber (Zizyphus mauritania), Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Dhok (Anogeossis pendula), Dhak or Chila (flame of the forest) {Butea monosperma}, Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Khair (Accacia catechu), Lagerstroemia, Boswelia, Bamboo, Pterocarpus, Madhuca and more.

Attractions at Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh Fort – People say, this fort is 2000 year old and has been under the control of Maghas dynasties for 20 complete centuries but its pre-history still got its value when we learn that the legend of Ramayana also includes this ancient fort. This is being believed that the fort was being built by Lord Rama during his short stay at the area (jungle) of Bandhavgarh while returning from Lanka. He then gifted this fort to his brother Lakshmana who took the control of this fort to watch the activities of Lanka.

The fort attracts the tourists today with the presence of the ancient ruins of the fort and the nearby temple.

Bandhavgarh Hill – this is the highest hill in the reserve area with an altitude of 807 m and includes around 32 hills. These small hills together with the Bandhavgarh hill form a number of low lying plains and valleys. The Bandhavgarh hill is formed of sandstones and the presence of different streams and springs are the source of water in the region.

Climbers Point – the most appealing place in the Bandhavgarh National Park, Climber’s Point brings an aerial view of the entire park which is being flourished with Sal and Bamboo trees. This place is also being surrounded by some of the faunal species like butea superba and bauhinia wahlii for much denser ambience.

Baghel Museum – the Baghel museum is composed of all the personal belongings of Maharaja of Rewa which is being displayed to the visitors to explore the royal and jungle life of Bandhavgarh. The museum also boasts ancient hunting equipments by the Maharajas along with some of the military equipments.

Cheshpur Waterfalls – this is a natural water fall in River Johila, located at a distance of 50 km from Bandhavgarh and is also an ideal location for the tourists to enjoy picnic here.

Tourist Places near Bandhavgarh/ Excursions

Kanha – Both Kanha and Pench National Park adjacent to Bandhavgarh are the ideal locations for Rudyard Kipling to craft his most talked, read and watched about novel (story), “The Jungle Book” where the protagonist of the story “Mowgli” still remains on the mind of every reader of this novel. About 255 kms away from Bandhavgarh, Kanha National Park is basically known for great visibility of Swamp Deer at the Maikal ranges of Satpura Forest.

Panna – located in the lower southern hills of Satpura ranges, the Panna National Park is best known as one of the major tiger reserves in India, stretching across an area of 542.67 sq km. it is also being famed as 22nd tiger reserve in India.

Pench – the densest area of Madhya Pradesh Jungle, Pench National Park has tremendous wild attractions around its vicinity to explore Gaur, Sambhar, Blue Bulls, Macaque, Langur, Wild Boar, Bear, Wild Dogs, Deer, Leopard, Tigers and Civets.

Khajuraho – Khajuraho, best known for the most famed UNESCO World Heritage site is an incredible group of temples located in Chattarpur, located 280 kms from Bandhavgarh. Known by temple town of Madhya Pradesh famed for erotic and sensual mudras & sculptures also highlights a group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples.

Jabalpur – one of the ancient cities in Madhya Pradesh located at the holy shores of Narmada, Jabalpur is just 95 kms away from Bandhagarh Reserve. It is widely kown for the marble rocks and is the perfect gateway to the important sanctuaries.

Safari

There are two main ways of getting about in the park – in a motor vehicle or on the elephant back, both of which can be categorized into as Jeep safari or elephant safari respectively. Many of the animals are now accustomed to both; even so, it is best to get closer to them more safely and noticing their rapid movements.

Jeep safaris can best be undertaken from dawn until about 10am and from about 4pm until dusk, as the animals are most active during these periods. A Forest Department guide must always accompany you. This guide will be able to direct you and point out wildlife. Elephants are used every morning by the Forest Department for Tiger-tracking. If a Tiger is found, then the elephant will take you directly to the Tiger either from the lodge or from a nearby point reached by jeep/car.

How to Reach

By Air : The nearest Airport for Bandhavgarh National Park is Jabalpur & Khajuraho. Jabalpur 200 Kms / 04 Hrs Drive & Khajuraho 250 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive from Bandhavgarh. The tourists will find regular flights for Jabalpur & Khajuraho from all major airports of India.

By Road : Bandhavgarh National Park is well connected from the nearby town & cities like Jabalpur, Satna, Umaria, Khajuraho etc.

By Train : The nearest railway stations for Bandhavgarh National Park are Umaria & Katni. Umaria is 35 Kms (45 Minutes drive) & Katni is 100 Kms (02 Hrs drive) from Bandhavgarh.

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi

On arrival at the airport meet with our representative, and then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi

Morning after breakfast full day city sightseeing tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi – Agra (204 km)

Morning after breakfast drive to Agra, Is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world – the “TAJ MAHAL”. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map. A pleasant town with a comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on the marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. On arrival check in at the hotel. In the afternoon visit Taj Mahal, Sikandra, Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Agra – Umaria – Bandhavgarh (35 km)

Visit Taj Mahal at dawn. Then transfer to the railway station time to board train for Umaria. Overnight on board.

Day 05: Arrive Umaria – Bandhavgarh National Park

On arrive at Umaria meet our representative and drive to Bandhavgarh National park. On arrival check in at the wildlife resort. Morning free for fresh-n-up. In the evening safari to the national park. Overnight at resort.

Day 06: Bandhavgarh National Park

Morning and afternoon game drive to the national park. Overnight at resort.

Day 07: Bandhavgarh National Park

Morning and afternoon game drive to the national park. Overnight at resort.

Day 08: Bandhavgarh National Park

Morning and afternoon game drive to the national park. Overnight at resort.

Day 09: Bandhavgarh – Delhi

Morning jeep safari to the national park. In the evening transfer to the Umaria railway station time to board train for Delhi. Overnight on board.

Day 10: Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi railway station meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel for fresh-n-up. Late in the afternoon transfer to the International airport to board the flight for onwards journey.

Hotels in Bandhavgarh National Park

We have many resorts in this place. Kindly check this link to know more details.