Introduction to Sariska

Situated in the backdrop of the Aravali Hills, in the state of Rajasthan,
Sariska National Park is a wonderfully quiet and peaceful destination to
visit. The jungle here has been registered under the Project Tiger in 1979
and became a national park in 1982. A number of tourists visit this place
due to its easy accessibility from the nearby major towns and cities.
Sariska is especially famous for its tiger reserve though it also offers you
sites to visit that have a strong historical background. The monuments at
these places are symbolic of their glorious past. The park also offers the
visitors a unique opportunity to observe the behavioural patterns of the
animals residing here.
Places of Interest
Park Flora and Fauna Being located on the desert land
of Rajasthan, the flora and fauna of Sariska is characterised by scrub-thorn
arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and scanty grasses spread over
the hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range. Due to the extreme
characteristic of the climate here, Sariska houses a number of known and
unknown species of desert flora and fauna. Due to scanty rainfall here the
major plants of Sariska includes, dhok, khair, tendu, and ber. However,
while talking about fauna here, the one specie that needs a mention is the
tiger. The Sariska National park also houses varieties of panther, jungle
cat, jackal, hyena, and fox. Besides these, the park is also the natural
habitat of sambhar, chital, wild boar, hare, nilgai, civet, four-horned
antelope, gaur (Indian bison) and porcupines. The park also nestles bird
species like the peafowl, grey partridges, quails, sand grouses, tree pies,
white-breasted kingfishers, golden-backed woodpeckers, crested serpent
eagles, vultures and horned owls.
Kankawadi Fort
The Kankawadi fort is an important tourist attraction. Though not
maintained properly, it is the only historic monument showing the Mughal
connection with this city. According to the records of history, Aurangzeb had
imprisoned the eldest son of Shah Jahan here. Located on a hill, the fort
overlooks the Kankawadi plateau and the few Gujjar villages around it.
Leopards from the park occasionally visit this fort in search of food and
solitude.
Excursion: nearby Places
Alwar Alwar is at a distance of 116 km from
Bharatpur. Though the city is regarded as the gateway to the royal state of
Rajasthan, it has a legacy more powerful than that. There are many tourist
attractions in the city that reflect the glorious Rajput history of the
place. The main attraction of Alwar are the Bala Quila and the City Palace
complex. There is a lake beside the City Palace, as well as a government
museum and the tomb of Tarang Sultan
Deeg
Situated 32 km north-west of Bharatpur on the way to Alwar, Deeg was once
the favourite summer resort and second capital of Bharatpur state. As towns
go, Deeg is not much of a place, being small and dusty and primarily
agricultural. But it has a past worthy of note. Built as a holiday resort by
the Jat rulers of Bharatpur, Deeg has a fort with all of twelve bastions.
The largest of these, Lakha Burj, is still mounted with a cannon. But more
than the fort, Deeg is not to be missed for the excellent sense of balance
with which its palaces and gardens have been laid out. The buildings form a
large rectangle enclosing a garden and two large tanks at the eastern and
western ends. The largest and most impressive structure is Gopal Bhawan
inside which, even on a summer's day, the air is cool and refreshing.
Perhaps the most attractive part of the garden complex is the summer
pavilion, Keshav Bhawan. On special occasions the 500 fountains around the
pavilion used to spout coloured water while fireworks lit up the night sky.
Some of these fountains still play during local festivals.
Siliserh
Lake Located near the Sariska tiger reserve, just off the
Alwar road is the wonderfully picturesque Siliserh lake. The lake
overlooks a marvellous palace built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1845 A. D.
for his queen Shila. The lake makes an interesting picnic spot and also
offers you options of boating and sailing. The palace here has been
converted into a tourist resort for the convenience of the visitors. The
crocodiles are the major inhabitants of the lake.
The
Hides The many Hides in and out of the park are the must visits
while being in this city. These hides are specially made to observe the wild
in their natural way. If you book a hide, which is highly advised, you may
end up spotting the wild inhabitants on the many water holes of the park.
Excellent for some patience studded wild photography, these hides are worth
a look even if not booked.