Sariska Tiger Reserve

Nestled in the mighty backdrop of Aravali Hills, Sariska tiger reserve is one of the most visited national parks in India and a popular adobe for the endangered Royal Bengal tiger. Located in Alwar district, Rajasthan, Sariska tiger reserve is covered with dry deciduous forests, sheer cliffs, grasslands, and rocky hills.

Visitor information

• Entry fee:

• Indians – INR 80/- per person

• Foreign Nationals – INR 470/- per person

• Jeep safari fee is 2650/- for 6 people

• Video camera fee: 400/-

• Visiting time: 6 am to 8 pm

• Visiting duration: Approximately 3 hours

Private vehicles are not allowed except Tuesday & Saturday due to the Pandupole Hanuman temple.

Varied wildlife:

Endowed with rich flora and fauna, Sariska is home to numerous carnivores other than tigers like the jackal, wild dog, leopard, chital, sambhar, rhesus macaque, wild boar, and others.

A wide variety of beautiful birds like quail, crested serpent eagles, tree pies, drongos sand grouse, etc. are found in the forest of Sariska. The Sariska tiger reserve also encircles 'Siliserh Lake' and 'Jai Samand Lake', which are home to a large number of crocodiles and water snakes.

History

Spread over an area of 800km, Sariska used to be the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Alwar. It was declared a wildlife reserve in the year 1955 and it got the status of Sariska tiger reserve 1978.

Things to do:

• Safari: Boasting an astonishingly broad range of wildlife, this treasure trove for nature lovers enable tourists to feast their eyes on its majestic inmate Royal Bengal tiger and other wild animals like leopard, wild bear, jungle cat many more. If looking for the most convenient way to penetrate into the jungle, jeep safari is the best way to explore the wilderness. Safari takes place in two slots, morning and evening and only approved vehicles can enter into the park for safari. If traveling in a large group you can opt for canter safari to penetrate the park. It’s better to book safari online as the demand for these activities is very high during the tourism season.

• Bird watching: Housing over 220 species of birds this place is truly called as a paradise for bird watchers. Spot some of the rarest species of birds like grey partridge, white-throated kingfisher, Indian peafowl, treepie, etc. while enjoying jeep safari in the jungle.

• Explore ancient temples: You can also take a tour of the ruins of a few medieval temples and some historical places located in the park. The following are some of the popular places located inside the Sariska tiger reserve.

• Pandupol Hanuman ji Temple: Situated at the center of the forest, Pandupol temple stands with a picturesque waterfall. Unquestionably picturesque, this ancient temple is believed to be the hiding place of Pandavas during their exile years.

• Neelkanth temple: Located inside the park, on an isolated mountain, Neelkanth temple has a number of sculptures depicting Lord Shiva and erotic statues. It was built between the 6th to the 9th century CE.

• Kankawadi Fort: The sanctuary houses the ruin of the 17th-century old Kankawadi Fort which was built by Jai Singh II. The view from the top of the fort is breath-taking. Standing tall as glory and richness of the Rajputana period, the huge Kankawadi fort is worth a visit for sure.

Getting there:

You can reach Sariska tiger reserve, Alwar, by train, air, and bus. It is the only tiger reserve in close proximity to the country’s capital city New Delhi and Rajasthan’s capital city Jaipur.

• By rail: Situated 37 km away, Alwar is the nearest railway station to Sariska national park. Private cabs, buses are easily available from Alwar station for Sariska tiger reserve.

• BY flight: The nearest airport to Sariska tiger reserve is Jaipur Sanganer Airport situated at a distance of 111 km. All major destinations are well-connected to the Jaipur Airport.

• By road: Situated off the Delhi-Jaipur highway, Sariska is well connected to all the towns of the Rajasthan and nearby cities like Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Delhi, etc.

Best time to visit:

Visiting Sarika national park will always be a captivating experience for wildlife enthusiasts. However, if you want to avoid the scorching heat, it is recommended to plan a visit during the mints of October to Match. You can also plan a trip to this forest in monsoon as the region doesn’t receive much rainfall, hence, tourists can enjoy the expedition without any inconvenience.

Nearby attractions: Besides, wildlife and ruins of ancient architecture, there are a few beautiful places and lakes surrounding the Sariska tiger reserve that you should include in your itinerary.

• Siliserh Lake

• Bhartrihari Temple

• Paratapgarh Fort

• Naldeshwar Shrine

• Sariska palace

• Bhangarh Fort

• Bharatpur sanctuary

Bestowed with rich flora and fauna, Sariska tiger reserve is an idyllic escape for tourists seeking tranquillity and wildlife. Plan a trip to Sariska national park and curate memories for a lifetime.