Bandhavgarh :: The Tiger Eden

Dense Forest… Standing Sal Trees… Winding Trail… A Popular Owl stop..

A Flying Oriole… Look up! The Orchids drop! 

Wait… A Langur Call…

Tiger??!  Hushh… The jungle is on a stall!!

Climbing trails… Tired jeeps…, Watch out… the Lizard’s crossing!!

and.. are those really Python marks? Look… A Peacock dancing!!

Refreshed minds… oh yeah and so throbbing hearts!!

– Lalit Deshmukh

The poem above describes life from the Jungles of BANDHAVGARH!! But Bandhavgarh is not just a Jungle like any other. It is famed for its mythological significance too. So let’s rewind to the history here…

The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has a great connection with ancient legends and beliefs. It is said that Lord Rama gifted this fort to his younger brother Lakshmana after returning from Lanka after killing Ravana on the way to Ayodhya. 

The presence of an ancient fort bearing the same name has equivalent value to attract many archeologists and heritage lovers amidst the pristine jungle area. Bandhavgarh dates back to 1800 years ago and you will find several man-made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings.

Then, how is this mythologically significant place now a ‘Land of Tigers?’

Located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, the park was a game preserve for the Maharajas of Rewa and their guests. The park was declared a National Park in 1968 and a Tiger Reserve in 1972 under the Project Tiger and Wildlife Protection Act.

The breathtaking Topography of the Jungle.

Nestled between Vindhays and the Satpuras, two distinct mountain ranges, this jungle is abundant with Sal trees and bamboo clusters. It covers an area of 450 Square Kilometers and is known for its spectacular collection of flora and fauna. It is home to more than 250 species of birds and 22 different species of mammals.

Bandhavgarh National Park has three major zones named – Tala, Magadi, and Khitauli.

The panoramic view of Bandhavgarh National Park’s landscape includes cliffs, 32 hills, plateaus, and meadows. The lower slopes of the region have forests of Sal forest and Bamboo. The higher hills of the park include high grasslands, which are considered the main vegetation of the Bandhavgarh jungle.

Along with these animals, other birds found in the Bandhavgarh National Park are Indian rollers, parakeet, dove, red jungle fowl, common peafowl, Egyptian vulture, black vulture, crested serpent eagle, black kite, sarus crane, and many more.