Sariska is a well-known tiger reserve nestled between the Aravalli range and the Khatiar – Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. It is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Alwar is totally an off-beat district from the rest of the Rajasthan. It is serene and peaceful escaping the buzz of the state. If you have come to Rajasthan then do not forget to visit Alwar. I went to Al war after my stay in Udaipur. The serenity of this place relaxed me and I had a whale of a time there.
Alwar is just so different from the rest of the state. Sariska is a famous tourist destination. It is loved by especially nature lovers, animal lovers, and wildlife photographers. If you are one of the above mentioned then Sariska is no doubt a heaven for you. The maximum number of tourists come here to see the ferocious big cat. Sariska also comprises of scrub – thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky hills. In the ancient periods, Sariska was a hunting preserve of the Alwar district. In the year 19 55, Sariska got sanctioned as a wildlife reserve. It gave a boost to the status of the tiger reserve which helped it to be a part of India’s Project Tiger in the year 1978. It is the first reserve in the world with successfully relocated tigers. In 1990, Sariska was declared a national park by the government. The reserve is rich in mineral resources such as copper.
You can take a flight to reach Sariska or you can travel via train. After that, you have to book a taxi/cab to get into the park. You can stay in the cottages near Sariska or in the hotels. I booked a cottage in the park itself.
I booked it beforehand so as to avoid the inconvenience after reaching the park. It is because many of the times it happens like you do not get proper hotels or rooms of your choice as they are pre-booked. So I would suggest you do the same to avoid difficulties after reaching the place. Also, pre-book the safari to the park. You can either directly contact the officers who book the tickets or you can contact your hotel staff to do the same. There are jeep safaris and canter safaris. The safaris take place in two slots; one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. You can book according to your preferences.
The villas inside the park are nice places to view nature. They have natural water bodies, swimming pools, places to sit and cherish nature. Before entering the park you should always keep in mind that the park is the home of many animals, birds, and trees. It is not at all our habitat. So you should not do anything that might harm wildlife. While visiting the park do not talk, put your phone in silent mode, do not eat. You should strictly follow the rules and regulations of the park otherwise you will be punished.
Here are some places to visit in Sariska –
1. SARISKA TIGER RESERVE The Sariska National Park is home to many animals and birds. It is famous for the Bengal tigers. People from the country as well as abroad come to see wildlife. To get a proper view of the forest and to view the animals and birds from a closer distance tourists go for safaris. I booked the morning safari in a jeep. I was really lucky that I got to see a tiger who was moving from one side of the road to the other.
The safari started at 7am. The sun was just rising then. The view of the golden ball from the middle of the deciduous trees was worth watching. There were many animals like the striped hyena, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, jackals, jungle cats, sloth bears, Indian wild boar, hedgehogs, Small Indian Mongoose, etc. There were birds like Peafowl, Grey Patridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden-backed woodpecker, Serpent Eagle, and the Great Indian Horned Owl.
The best time to visit Sariska is after the monsoon that is from the month of October – March. This is the time when the winter season arrives and the animals come out from their own places near the roads to warm their bodies in the sun. So you can get a good view of the animals which will make your journey worthy of it. The Sariska National Park gives an enriching view of the wildlife which will certainly make you happy and contented. Moreover, the drivers and the guides are also well mannered and they try their best to satisfy the tourists with the safaris.
2. SARISKA PALACE The Sariska Palace is located on the edge of Sariska National Park itself. It is a magnificent palace where the Maharajas of Alwar lived. It is now converted into a luxury hotel. The palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Alwar in the year 1892. This palace was built as a hunting lodge by the Maharaja. The palace is situated across lush green landscapes. It is a place where the tourists visit to get rid of the stress. The palace is now under renovation. It offers a picturesque view of the entire region with the deciduous forest as its backdrop p. Nature lovers will certainly enjoy visiting the palace.
3. PANDUPOL HANUMANJI TEMPLE Pandupol is a place in Sariska famous for the reclining idol of Hanumanji. It has a connection with the ancient connotations. It is believed that the strongest of the Pandavas that is Bhisma, defeated the giant Hidimbb and got the hands of his sister Hidimbi in this place. This place also has a spring emerging from the hard rocks. A 35 – ft waterfall is an eye-catching scene for the tourists.
4. KANKWADI – The Kankwadi fort was built by Maharaja Jai Singh I who was the senior general of Aurangzeb’s army and the grandson of Maharaja Man Singh who was one of the nine jewels of Akbar. This fort is said to be used by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to imprison his brother Dara in the 17th century. This fort is situated deep inside the forest, on a hillock. It is a rare spot that remains uncovered by tourists. The fort is 25km long and the road that takes to the fort is bumpy. If you want to visit this fort then you have to come at the time of the safari with a guide. The fort comes under zone 2 of Sariska National Park. It is taken care of by the forest department. The ASI officials come to renovate the fort. It is a great place to visit. The architecture of the fort is awesome. All the rooms and the lounge and the other places are interconnected to each other. Still, now the designs of the rooms are in good condition. Whenever you come to Sariska do not forget to explore the Kankwadi Fort.
- BHANGARH FORT – The Bhangarh fort is known all over the world for its eerie atmosphere and paranormal activities. This fort was built by Raja Bhagwant Singh for his son Madho Singh in the 17th century. This fort is situated at the border of the Sariska National Park. The entry to the fort is restricted before sunrise and after sunset. The guides tell the tourists the tales behind the mystery of the haunted nature of the ruined fort. At the entrance of the main gate, there are many Hindu temples such as the Hanuman temple, Someshwar temple, Gopinath temple, Keshav Rai Temple, Mangla devil temple, Ganesh temple, and Navin Temple. There is a Nachan Haveli and a Jahauri Bazaar. The Royal Palace is located at the extreme end of the fort limit.
So this was all about Sariska. I hope you are going to plan a trip soon to explore Rajasthan and its beautiful national parks, forts and palaces, forests, and most importantly the desert which will certainly knock your socks off. Wish you all luck and have a great time ahead!
