SARISKA TIGER RESERVE

SARISKA TIGER RESERVE

 The wide spectrum and rich population of wildlife in the open dry deciduous forest of Sariska is a marvel of ecological adaptation and tolerance.

Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated in the northern part of the Aravali hills, nearly 200 kms. from Delhi on the Delhi - Alwar - Jaipur Road. An area of 800 sq. kms., Sariska was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and it became a Tiger Reserve in 1979.

In Sariska, wildlife observation at the water holes is fascinating during the hot days of April, May and June. Water requirements increase and wildlife activities get restricted to the water holes, specially around Kalighati and Slopka. Sambars, chitals, nilgais, chausinghas, jackals, wild boars, langurs etc. visit water holes throughout the day. The tiger appears around dusk or during the silence of the night. Besides leopard, the hyena, jungle cat and wild dog are the other main predators.

Sariska is unique in animal distribution. The wild animals here seem to have decided their area-limits. Slopka is best for observing the sambar, Kundli for chitals and Tarunda & Kalighati for nilgai. Four horned antelopes or chausingha can be seen in the Pandupole Nallah. Chausingha is exclusively Indian and is the only buck on earth with four horns.

Sariska is also famous for its population of common langur and the rhesus monkeys. Talvriksh is where the main population of rhesus exists and one can see hundreds of these monkeys at a time. Langurs can be seen in large numbers at Pandupole, Slopka and Kalighati as well.

Sariska is also historically significant. The Kankwadi Fort is situated on a small hillock, nearly 22 kms. from Sariska headquarters. it is said that the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his elder brother Dara Shikoh in this fort. Further away is the famous Neel Kantha Mahadev temple. There are remains of 300 odd Hindu and Jain temples constructed between the 8th and the 12th centuries A.D. These temples have religious, mythological as well as historical significance. Pandupole is known for the famous Hanuman temple and thousands of pilgrims throng to this sacred shrine from July to Septernber every year