National Parks in India

Situated in the Vindhya Mountain Range of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National park is 195 kms. from Jabalpur and 237 kms. from Khajuraho. The park has got mixed variety of forest. It has grassy fields. But predominantly it is rugged and hilly. Bandhavgarh National park is a valley with Sal and mixed forest in the upper reaches. Although Bandhavgarh National park is India's newer national park but its history dates back well over 2000 yrs.

The legend says that the Fort belongs to period of Ramayana (famous Hindu epic). The fort was build for Lord Rama to rest on his return journey after defeating the demon king Ravana of Lanka. The architect of Bandhavgarh fort were two monkeys who engineered the bridge between the main land and Lanka. During excavation in northern side of fort, ancient caves were found, which contain several inscriptions in Brahmi dating back to 1st century BC. Bandhavgarh National park is famous for its tiger and it gaining more and more attention among tourists. There were approximately 46 Tigers in the year 1997. It was in Bandhavgarh in the year 1951, that the famous White Tiger of Rewa was found, which can still be seen in Maharaja of Rewa's Palace.

This palace is a hotel now. The mother of this cub was shot, so it was raised by human hands & named as " Mohan". His numerous descendants can be seen in Zoo all around the world. The climate of the region is quite extreme. Winter temperature can drop to freezing or low during the months of December to mid February, whereas nights in summer are pleasant. But the day temperature can go upto 40 degrees celsius during the months of May and June.

The growth of forest is not as dense as Northern forests of India but it still holds a good variety of wild life. Apart from Tigers, Bandhavgarh has Chinkara , Nilgai , Chausingha , Jackal , wild boar , Gaur , Muntial , Sambar , Cheetal , Leopard , Rhesus Monkey , Langur , Porcupine , Ratels , Wild dogs, Hyenas , Jungle Cats and a variety of other animals. There are 150 species of birds found in Bandhavgarh National park. It attracts many migratory birds during summer. Birds that can be seen often and by chance are Blue Bearded Bee Eater, Malabar Hornbills, Racket Tailed Drongo, Blossom headed Parakeets, Paradise Fly Catchers, Wood Shrikes, Minivets, White Bellyed Drongo, Tickell's Blue Flycatchers, White Browned Fantail, Jerdon's Leaf birds, Steppe Eagle and many variety of wild Fowl.