Ranthambore is one of the many famous destinations of the western state of India, Rajasthan. Generally a visit to Ranthambore means a visit to the tiger reserve here. However, the place has much more to offer you in sightseeing and excursions. Surrounded by the Vindhya and Aravali hill ranges and located very near to the outer fringes of the Thar Desert, Ranthambore offers you the best of the desert land as well as plain area near the hills. Due to its proximity to the Thar Desert, the vegetation here is that of deciduous forest.
Ranthambore used to be the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Later it was declared as a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1980, it was declared as a national park and listed among the reserves protected under Project Tiger. Ranthambore is also considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat. In Ranthambore you can indulge in any of the adventurous activities that the park offers. A Jeep Safari, a cultural and traditional experience of the Meena tribes, a night out in the many hideouts in the park are some of the options you must not miss.
There are many interesting spots for you to see in Ranthambore. The Ranthambore National Park is regarded as the most suitable place for wildlife photography in the world. Here you can capture the tiger in its various moods and moments. Besides the Ranthambore Park, there are places like the Ranthambore Fort (one of its kind in the entire state of Rajasthan), Jogi Mahal (the wonderful forest guesthouse) and the various species of flora and fauna, which are also worth a look. While in Ranthambore you can also get the feel of local customs and traditions of the region. A Jeep safari followed by the dinner consisting of the region's delicacies is an experience not to be missed.
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To have a good idea of the place and its past, an excursion to the nearby places of historical importance is a must. Apart from the historical witnesses of time, these places have much more to offer to make your visit a complete one. Sawai Madhopur village, which is the entry point to many of the nearby important destinations, is one of its kind. The village is known for its many historical monuments and related legends that you can find in these small and big structures. Karauli is another place famous for its temples and architectural marvels. Bundi (66 km) is famous for its monuments and especially its fort, which preserves the glorious legacy of its erstwhile Rajput rulers. Kota (100 km) has number of important sites like the City Fort and Palace, Kota Barrage, the Kishore Sagar Tank, the Jagmandir Palace, the Brij Vilas Palace Museum, etc. Tonk (100 km) is an old town dating to the middle of the 17th century.
The Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is home to one of the most famous Ganesh temples in the state of Rajasthan. It is a common belief here that all the marriage invitations should be first sent to Lord Ganesh at his temple here. This makes the spot a unique pilgrimage site and invitations pour from all over the country throughout the year, especially during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival in the months of September/October. During the festival, devotees participate in the singing of devotional songs.
Getting there
The Indian Tiger Reserve of Ranthambore is easily accessible through air, road and rail from the other major Indian cities and states. The nearest airport is the Jaipur Airport, about 145 km away. Regular flights are available from Jaipur to other destinations in Indian including Delhi, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. The nearest rail junction is the Sawai Madhopur Railway Station at a distance of 11 km from the park. It is on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line and some of the major trains stop here. Also an excellent road network links Ranthambore will the other major cities of Rajasthan.
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