Place to Visit: Bandhavgarh National Park

Tigers, Temples and Forts

Madhya Pradesh, India

Bandhavgarh National Park sits in the heart of rural India, a 450 sq km reserve that is spread over the Vindhyan Range and pockmarked with temples and the famous Bandhavgarh Fort. With a healthy population of tigers and their prey species, opportunities for seeing this endangered big cat are good.

Background

Sat at 800m above sea level and strung across the Vindhyan mountain range of central India, Bandhavgarh National Park was established in 1968. With one of the highest head counts of tigers in the country the park is successful in maintaining numbers. The park takes its name from Bandhavgarh Fort and was once the hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa. The fort remains an evocative reminder to past glory days and sightings of tigers on its ramparts common; temples too dot the park adding interest besides the wonderful wildlife. Bandhavgarh is also home to other mammal species such as nilgai, chital, fox and jackal.