Ranthambore, the name itself inspires awe in the hearts of many! With a famous National Park, an impressive fort and an art school, Ranthambore offers the best of both human and animal world.

The anecdotes and legends that associate themselves with the fort are typical of Rajasthan history. Legends fondly narrate how two princes prayed Lord Shiva to restore their hunt (a wild boar that had jumped into a lake) and the Lord agreed only on the condition that a fort dedicated to him be built at the sight. The legend seems little unbelievable in the face of Ganesh's immense popularity amongst the devotees. Lord Ganesh is still highly revered and receives numerous invitations of marriages! A more real anecdote describes how foreign invasion led to the first ever mass suicide of Rajasthan in this fort even though victory was only a step ahead.

The park is one of the earliest to be included in the Project Tiger. Its history boasts of royal as well as foreign guests like Queen and Prince Phillip. The Duke of Edinburg too enjoyed a shooting a large tiger in this park. Though facing a persistent problem of poaching, the park has maintained a healthy population of the big cats. Its greenery and rich wildlife have attracted many a visitors from all around. The pristine lakes nearby and open sky above have an ineluctable charm that bind tourists to the place for ever.

The school of art here reflects the importance of above two in the region with its myriad sketches and colours. The school encourages a cognizance in the mind of residents and tourists about the significance of nature around.

The Ranthambore National Park is located in the district of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, India. The town of Sawai Madhopur is located at a distance of 14 km from the park.

The Ranthambore National Park suffers extreme climate with temperatures soaring up to 47 ?C during summers and dipping to 2?C during winters. In summers, temperature inside the park is pleasant, though outside, where all the resorts are located, it can be unbearable. The best time to visit the park can be either Nov- Feb or April-May. The former is suitable for those who like to roam around in pleasant weather while the latter is specifically for those who wish to see the tiger.

Ensconced comfortably in the Aravalli and the Vindhya ranges, the Ranthambore National Park spreads over an area of 400 sq km. Earlier, the area was under the Maharaja of Jaipur and served as a hunting ground for him which ensured that the animals were not hunted down regularly by the common people.

The area was established as a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1955 and it gained the status of a National Park in 1981. In between in 1973, when the 'Project Tiger' was initiated to conserve the depleting number of the tigers in the country, Ranthambore National Park was designated as a tiger Reserve as well. As a Tiger Reserve, the park has been successful in controlling the loss of tiger life in its area thereby making it a major attraction for tourists coming into park.

The topography of the park mostly consists of undulating hills intermixed with water bodies and meadows. There are three major water bodies in the park - Padam Talao, Rajbagh Talao and Malik Talao. The terrain of the park also includes steep cliffs, deep gorges, valleys and flat land.

Flora - The vegetation of the park is mostly dry deciduous type with dhok forming the majority of the trees. Apart from this there are around 300 species of trees and plants found in the park including Aam, Imli, Babul, Banyan, Ber, Dhak (or Chila), Jamun, Kadam, Khajur, Khair, Karel, Khejda, Kakera, Mohua and Neem.

Animals - Undoubtedly, the Tiger is the major attraction of the Ranthambore National Park. However, sighting a tiger is only possible through plenitude of patience and luck. In such circumstance, other animals of the park keep the visitors engaged and entertained. Prominent among these are Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Jackals, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Sloth bears, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Macaques, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose.

Reptiles - The reptile population of the park include Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Banded Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, Indian Pythons, North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles, Rat Snakes, Russel's Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chamaeleon.

Birds - Due to its water bodies, Ranthambore National Park attracts a whole variety of birds, both resident and migrant. There are around 300 species of birds in the park including Parakeet, Myna, Barheaded Goose, Owl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Eagle, Partridge, Pigeon, Flycatcher, Hornbill, Cuckoo, Heron, Sparrow, Vulture and Falcon.

Things to Do

Enjoy Jeep Safari - Since vehicles are the only way to explore the park, jeep safari are hugely popular. A limited number of jeeps are allowed in the park as such tourists need to reach the park well before the starting time. A jeep can accommodate a maximum of six people including the driver and the guide (compulsory). Animals inside the park have got used to the presence of vehicles in the area as such they do not shy away from the approaching jeep.