Nestling at the foot of the Aravalli Hills
10km from the town of Sawai Madhopur,
Ranthambhore National Park is one of the
prime examples of Project Tiger's
conservation efforts. Though Sawai Madhopur
is an important town with its own
historicity, but it is Ranthambhore, which
is known the world over. Ranthambhore blends
history of Rajput valour with scenic natural
beauty and is an ideal getaway for an
adventurous holiday.
Ranthambhore has been a witness to the rise
and fall of many rulers and a series of
battle scenes. In the 13th century AD Govind,
the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over
the reign of the land. Later his successor
Vagabhatta, beautified the city and built a
noteworthy temple at Jhain. In the middle of
the 15th century AD Rana Kumbha captured the
fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied
later by the Had Chauhan Rajputs of Bundi
and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb.
Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in
1754 and since then it was maintained as the
hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen
Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were
part of the royal hunting camp who stayed
here.
Sight Seeing In Ranthambhore
Ranthambhore
Fort
Ranthambhore's royal past manifests itself in
the well-preserved imposing fort, built in 994
A.D. atop a steep high creek 200 meters above
sea level. Ruined pavilions, walls, chhatris
and splendid monuments are interspersed within
the majestic fort. An 8th century A.D. Ganesh
temple on an open land attracts thousands of
devotees and is the venue for an annual fair
held on. Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi, fourth day
of the bright half, in the month of Bhadra. The
fort is believed to be the site at which the
first jauhar in Rajput history was performed.
In the early 14th century, the ruler of the
fort, Hammir deva, was engaged in a protracted
battle with the muslim forces. Although Hammir
repulsed the Muslim invaders; the women who
were installed in the fort for their safety
heard that he had succumbed on the battlefield.
In usual Rajput style, preferring death to dishonor,
they committed mass suicide. When confronted
with the grisly news, the victorious Hammir
beheaded himself before the image of God Shiva
in the temple at the fort.
Ranthambhor National Park
The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills
in the area, Ran and Thanbhor. Another version
says that Ranthambore was once called Rana Stambhapura
or City of the Pillars of War. It is located
near Sawai Madhour township about 100 kms south
east of Ajmer in Rajasthan, where the Vindhayas
and the Aravalli Hills meet, the Ranthambore
National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal,
in the south, and Banas, in the north. It was
established as a sanctuary in 1959 and included
in the very first phase of Project Tiger in
1972. In 1981 Ranthambore was awarded National
Park status. Characterized by rocky plains,
flat hilltops, gentle slopes and precipitous
cliffs, covered by dry deciduous forests. Ranthambore
is virtually an island rich in flora and fauna
in an ocean of villages, farmland and over grazed
arid land.
more about ranthambhore national park
How To Get There
By Air
:
The nearest airport is at Jaipur which connected
to all the major cities which includes Delhi,
Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur.
By Road :
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe
from Jaipur to Ranthambore. The roads are very
good, and it takes around 4-5 hrs from Jaipur.
You can also come by taxi.
By Train :
The nearest railhead is at Ranthambore is connected
to many major cities of India. There are daily
trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai.
nd a series of
battle scenes. In the 13th century AD Govind,
the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over
the reign of the land. Later his successor
Vagabhatta, beautified the city and built a
noteworthy temple at Jhain. In the middle of
the 15th century AD Rana Kumbha captured the
fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied
later by the Had Chauhan Rajputs of Bundi
and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb.
Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in
1754 and since then it was maintained as the
hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen
Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were
part of the royal hunting camp who stayed
here.
ing fort, built in 994
A.D. atop a steep high creek 200 meters above
sea level. Ruined pavilions, walls, chhatris
and splendid monuments are interspersed within
the majestic fort. An 8th century A.D. Ganesh
temple on an open land attracts thousands of
devotees and is the venue for an annual fair
held on. Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi, fourth day
of the bright half, in the month of Bhadra. The
fort is believed to be the site at which the
first jauhar in Rajput history was performed.
In the early 14th century, the ruler of the
fort, Hammir deva, was engaged in a protracted
battle with the muslim forces. Although Hammir
repulsed the Muslim invaders; the women who
were installed in the fort for their safety
heard that he had succumbed on the battlefield.
In usual Rajput style, preferring death to dishonor,
they committed mass suicide. When confronted
with the grisly news, the victorious Hammir
beheaded himself before the image of God Shiva
in the temple at the fort.