Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh – A retreat of the wild animals, declared as the national park
One of the distinguished national park in India, Bandhavgarh is located in the in the Vindhya Hills of the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh. It is declared as the national park in 1968. Bandhavgarh spans over an area of 105 sq. km. The name Bandhavgarh has been derived from the most prominent hillock of the area of Umaria. The place is famed to have highest density of white tiger population. The park also houses the largest breeding population of leopards and various species of deer. With the passing of years the park has shown the rapid growth in the count of tigers. The white tiger tours are famous in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve which attracts large no. of tourists.
There are three entrances in the park which are Tala, Magdi and Bamera. The Tala zone attracts the tourists most by offering the tiger sighting opportunities. The Magdi zone is also being developed by the park authorities. The elephant shows are also being organized in the Magdi zone of Bandhavgarh National Park so that the tourist may catch the sight of the elusive king of jungle i.e the elephant. You will find ample opportunities to spot majestic Indian tiger and some rarely seen animals like leopard and sloth bear.
Places to see at Bandhavgarh National Park: The national park besides being a home to no. of species of wildlife has many other tourist attractions.
Baghel Museum
The Baghel Museum in Bandhavgarh is the storehouse where you will find all the personal belongings of Maharaja of Rewa are being kept intact for display. Tourists come here and explore the royal and jungle life of Bandhavgarh. Along with that the museum also displays the stuffed body of the first white tiger being spotted by the Maharaja of Rewa. Besides this, the museum also boasts ancient hunting equipments by the Maharajas along with some of the military equipments. The museum is located 100 meters away from the reserve (park) and is being famous for keeping the belongings of Shikargarh, or a game preserve that the tourists certainly want to discover at Bandhavgarh. The timings to visit the Baghel Museum are: 10 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm.
Village Tala
One of the locations that the tourists prefer to visit repeatedly while visiting Bandhavgarh is the TalaVillage. It gives the total reflection of an Indian village which still brings the most ethnic way of living. There are many attractive glimpses a tourist can explore while spending a day at this village. The modest dwellings, the mud clustered houses, elders smoking hookahs sitting on a cot are such magnificent scenes that brings a standstill on the time. The lowest region of Bandhavgarh, the TalaVillage is a picturesque location with landscapes all around. Along with that while visiting the village the tourists can find different hotels and resorts for magnificent accommodations in the village.
Mahaman Pond
The Mahaman Pond is located near the Bandhavgarh Fort which is being surrounded by bamboo clumps where large varieties of herding of wild creatures can be found. This place is called the “Place of Quench the Thirst” where the variety of herbivores and carnivores inhabiting the national park can be found.
Kethika
Also known as the Pendanus Point in Kethika a lump of an aromatic plant called Kewra can be found amidst the supercilious Jammu and Arjun trees. It is undoubtedly a real floral treasure of Bandhavgarh Reserve.
Climber’s Point
It is one of the most amazing place in Bandhavgarh National Park symbolizing the serene natural beauty. This location brings an aerial view of the entire park and the forest in this location is filled with Sal and Bamboo trees. Along with that the place is also being flourished with some f the best and unique species of fauna like butea superba and bauhinia wahlii along with Sal trees. This is an ideal place for the tourists to take some rest and for the peace of mind.
Bari Gufa
The Bari Gufa which means the “The Giant Cave” is showcasing the ancient monument of past. Undoubtedly it is one of the most ancient creations in the Indian history. It is being believed that the Bari Gufa is the biggest man-made cave of the reserve dating back to 10th century.
Three Cave Point
The three cave point is one of the most fascinating points in Bandhavgarh National Park that is easily visible from the Ganesh Hillock road. This beautiful location has many beautiful carvings that typically signify the perfect blend of the architectural techniques that were prevalent in the ancient times. Today, this place is perfectly being the ideal home for many wild animals including leopards, tigers and sloth bears.
Rajbahera
It is a marshy meadow which can be viewed from the Bandhaini Hillock and is the origin of the river Dammer. The Rajbahera that brings the Bandhaini Hillock view along with the glances of sorks, vultures and herds of chital, samber and wild pigs is definitely an additional attraction of Bandhavgarh.
The Shesh Shaya
The Shesh Shaya is a marvellous 11 meter long statue of Lord Vishnu in the laying position with umbrella of “Shesh Nag” along with the “Shivling” and the “Lord Brahma” are situated here. It is placed on the main entrance of the footpath, the way towards the Bandhavgarh Fort. The origin of the river “Charan Ganga” inflows from the foot of “Lord Vishnu” and so the name is being derived from. The statue is believed to be the asset of 10th century.
Cheshpur Water Fall
The Cheshpur Water fall is a natural water fall in River Johila, situated at a distance of 50 km from Bandhavgarh. It is an ideal location for the tourists to enjoy picnic here.
Jwalamukhi Temple
It is the temple of the goddess Jwalamukhi situated in the bank of river “Charan Ganga”. About 11 km away from Bandhavgarh, this temple is also 10th century founding.
Fossil National Park
About 110 km away from Bandhavgarh, the Fossil National Park s named so since it brings all its floras in the fossil form that existed in India anywhere between 40 million and 150 million years ago. This park is being spread over an area of over 274,100 square meters.
Nearby attractions of Bandhavgarh National Park: From Bandhavgarh National Park you can visit the places like the Kanha National Park, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Panna National Park, Pench National Park.
Things to do at Bandhavgarh National Park: Enjoy the jeep and elephant safari to view the wildlife at Bandhavgarh. Jeep safaris are undertaken during the early morning hours till evening. A forest department guide is always there with the visitors on these jeep trips taken inside the park. Elephant safari trips are organized for tiger tracking early in the morning.
Best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park: As the summer’s heat is unbearable the ideal season for the tourists to visit the park is between November and March.
How to go ?
Bandhavgarh is spread at Vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km of topography varies between steep ridges, undulating, forest and open meadows. Bandhavgarh is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers the density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India.
By Road
Bandhavgarh National Park is well connected from the nearby town & cities like Jabalpur, Satna, Umaria, Khajuraho etc. Distance & approx driving time of Bandhavgarh National Park from some of the nearby cities are mentioned below:
By Train
The nearest railway stations for BandhavgarhNational Park are Umaria & Katni. Umaria is 35 Kms (45 Minutes drive) & Katni is 100 Kms (02 Hrs drive) from Bandhavgarh.
By Air
The nearest Airport for Bandhavgarh National Park is Jabalpur & Khajuraho. Jabalpur 200 Km / 04 Hrs Drive & Khajuraho 250 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive from Bandhavgarh. One can get regular flights for Jabalpur & Khajuraho from all major airports of India.
Where to stay ?
There are many hotels to stay at Bandhavgarh National Park. Few options are:
WhiteTigerForest Lodge: +91 (07629) 265366, 265406
Tiger Inn: +91 (07627) – 265425, 265424, +91 9425-194-766
Greenwoods Resort : +91 9981038846, 9826150017
Junglemantra Resort: +91-9425331207
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
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