Visit the National Tigers Reserve at Ranthambhore in the State of Rajasthan in India

There are many national parks in the State of Rajasthan in India that provide the excellent facilities to watch the wild animals in their natural state. Ranthambhore is one such national park situated in the State of Rajasthan in India. This national park is famous for viewing of tigers in their natural state in thick forests. This national park attracts many foreign visitors as this park has a wild beauty of its own and offers the stay in the wooden forest huts in the midst of the dense forest.

Ranthambhore can be reached from the city of Savai Madhopur of the State of Rajasthan. Savai Madhopur is the big city of Rajasthan and is situated on the main railway line of Mumbai-Delhi. The regular buses and the hired cars and taxis are available for Ranthambhore from here. It takes around 2 hours to cover the distance of 56 miles from Savai Madhopur. Ranthambhore was established in the eleventh century. It is situated between the Mountains of Arvalli and Vindhyachal. Its fort is one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan. This fort was the vital defense point for the Yadav rulers in eighth century and Chauhan rulers from the tenth century. The fort of Ranthambhore is undefeated till today due to its strong and high walls, the gates at very strategic locations, and the watch stations that can see any enemy coming to attack from as far as ten miles. There were many attacks on this fort but none of them were successful. The most famous attack on this fort was by the Mogul King Alloudin Khilji. The Rajput ruler Rana Hamir fought for many years against Alloudin Khilji from within this fort and remained unbeaten at the end. Though, this fort is now in very bad condition, it still can show us the past glory of this fort. The circular shape and the locations of the watch towers of this fort can show us the military sense of those rulers. The tourists can take round of this historical fort by walking. It may take around one and a half hour to see this fort in details by walking. Please try to select early morning hours to see this fort so as to beat the heat of the later part of the day. The government guide services are available at this fort with nominal charges of around Rs.250 ($6) for the full visit of the fort.

The famous Ranthambhore national tiger reserve is around 30 miles away from the city fort. This tiger reserve has wooden huts to stay in the wild and thick forest. These wooden cabins are operated by the State government. The booking of such cabins can be done in advance from any office of Rajasthan State tourism situated in all the major cities of Rajasthan. The rates for these cabins are around Rs.1600 ($40) per day for double occupation. The viewing of tigers in their natural state is really a life time opportunity. The Ganesh temple, situated on the fort of Ranthambhore is an ancient temple and is worth visiting. There is a large fair held here at this temple every year on Ganesh Chaturthi. The village of Tonk, situated at around 35 miles away from Ranthambhore is famous for the hand made leather goods. The next place to visit is Sunhari Kothi. This was the residence of the kings in the past. This palace is made up of the smooth white marble. The intricate design of glass inside this palace is really worth seeing.

There are couples of hotels in the town of Ranthambhore. These hotels can only provide the basic facilities. Hence, it would be the best alternative to stay in the wooden huts in the national tiger reserve of Ranthambhore. I myself have stayed in these wooden cabins and that experience is still fresh in my mind even today, after 8 years. Make sure to carry your first aid kit and enough stock of bottled drinking water with you. Also, try to avoid visiting this place during summer and the rainy season. The best time to visit this place is from October to February.

The people interested in wild life and the animal kingdom shall surely enjoy visiting Ranthambhore. The night halt here at Ranthambhore can be a life time experience for all the tourists visiting here. If you are lucky and are able to view the tiger freely moving in the forest, your trip can be considered fully successful.