Tiger Safari at Bandhavgarh

Situated in the remote confines of Central India in the State of Madhya Pradesh is Bandhavgarh National Park. A small reserve it is famous for two things the historic ruins and the wilderness. Tigers now thrive in the park, and it is said that around 75 big cats roam in the wild in the tiger reserve with an area of 1100 sq. km. The National Park comprises the core and the buffer. The core is 716 sq. km and the rest is buffer.

Bandhavgarh Fort Complex

Bandhavgarh is home to historic relics in the shape of a temple, man-made caves, a stable, courtrooms, pools, and a reservoir. But the most unique aspect of the reserve is the statues of Lord Vishnu and its avatars that have been carved as zoomorphic. Thus, you will come across Lord in Varah Avatar (Boar), Matsya Avatar (Fish), and Kashyap avatar (turtle). Lord Vishnu is the creator, and he represents life on Earth. Thus, he represents all life forms, and the zoomorphic statues depict just that.

Most of the statues are found in the fort complex in Bandhavgarh Hill which is a tabletop mountain. It rises to 800 MSL and is the tallest structure in the park. The fort complex is out of bounds for tourists on safari but they can visit up to Sesh Shaiyya which leads to the top of the mountain.

Sesh Shaiyya

Like the tiger, Sesh Shaiyya has made the preserve famous, and the reclining Vishnu has become an iconic structure. The reclining Vishnu with multiheaded Cobra Crown lies peacefully beside a fairy pool. The idols and the surrounding structures are covered in moss, algae, and fungi creating an esoteric appearance. Over the statue dense canopy with small trickles churning out feed the pool surrounded by a wall of brick and mortar as ancient as the structure. The pool is esoteric a fairyland structure. In ancient times tired, war-torn soldiers must have found relief in the cool shade of the grove.

Tiger Safari at Bandhavgarh

On tiger safari, you can visit Sesh Shaiyya as it is part of the tourism zone of Tala. If you wish to see the ruins and ancient structures you should book a permit for Tala in Bandhavgarh. In the other two zones namely Magdhi and Khitauli, the ancient structures are not found. Since the fort is outside the tourist area therefore visitors cannot see it. The fort is under Government supervision.

Animals seen in the reserve are the tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur, sloth bear, jackal, fox, and small predators. Safari is organized in the park during the morning and evening and only for people with safari permits. The excursion is organized on open jeeps and you cannot trek in the core zone.

Reaching Bandhavgarh

Jabalpur Airport is the shortest distance only four hour's drive to Bandhavgarh's Tala township. You can reach the destination by overnight train that halts at Umaria 32 km from Tala. You can also reach the destination from connected towns by bus or taxi. Remember the park is closed from 1st July to the end of August.