Weekend Wild Life Safari at Sariska, Rajasthan, India
Mar 29 2008 | Views 400 |
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Tags: Sariska Tiger Reserv Rajasthan jungle safari sariska sariska indian safari
Tags: Sariska Tiger Reserv Rajasthan jungle safari sariska sariska indian safari
Spotted deers running about in the wild
Sariska, the 11th Tiger reserve of India, is indeed an audacious safari to embark. So say all those who have visited this sprawling, over 800 kilometers of wild life sanctuary, located just outside Delhi, at a distance of about three hours by road. But, as adventurers, we needed to double check it out for ourselves. And that is exactly what we did. Kid’s holidays and the possibility of sneaking out of office for a few days leave last week, translated the idea into a plan.
Though devoid of the big cat, the Indian Tiger, Sariska brims with history, a rich flora and fauna, and a picturesque running about of undulating ridges and steep mountain slopes, among a mish mash of bobbing greens and frolicking wildlife. With Tiger not any more in the jungle, the other wild life can be seen making merry here abound, despite the fact that the 58 or so, we were told, leopards are on prowl.
Pug marks on display
November to March each year is the best period to visit the sanctuary. Located half way in-between Delhi and Jaipur, it is about 160 kilometers from both the destinations and can be reached from either of these cities by train or by road. There is no airport at Alwar, though a road called Airport road exists in the city. But then the city also has an area called Swarg (Heaven) road. Anyway… let us get on.
I drove my family in my car. Dad and Mom joined us from Alwar, which is nearest town on the north of Sariska, about 30 odd kilometers. The state highway that connects Alwar to Sariska was potholed and pebbled. But the scenery on both sides was blissfully breathtaking.
Goose Berry (Aamla) tree laden with fruit, on the way to Sariska
In March one gets to drive past orchards of Mangoes with small bunches of mangoes smilingly waving, and the goose berry (The common Aamla) trees turned brown with the burden of several hundred of Goose berries sitting heavy on the branches. The flame of the forest (Or the Butea) added the much needed dash of orange sending our hearts aflutter.
Goose Berry (Aamla) tree laden with fruit, on the way to Sariska
In March one gets to drive past orchards of Mangoes with small bunches of mangoes smilingly waving, and the goose berry (The common Aamla) trees turned brown with the burden of several hundred of Goose berries sitting heavy on the branches. The flame of the forest (Or the Butea) added the much needed dash of orange sending our hearts aflutter.
At Tigerden, the RTDC Hotel at the edge of the forest, we decide to take a little break. The staff was hospitable and helpful. With a qualified guide embarked on board my car, we began our journey at about three in the afternoon. There is a tar road that runs right through the center of the jungle to the Pandupole temple. Legend has it that the site of the temple was hit by Bhim, the strongest of the Pandava brothers, while they were in exile, and a water fountain sprung out of nowhere. Now there is a temple of Hindu Monkey God, Hanuman.
At the entrance of Pandupole temple
Besides the flame of the forest glorifying the meeting of the trees with an azure blue sky in the distance, like a fire beautifying the jungle, Sariska has a wide variety of flora to boast. Amaltas (Cassia fistula) was just about getting ready to bloom. Dhok was all around. And so was the common Ber or the Indian stone apple (Ziziphus Mauritiana), which both langur and Chetal are so very fond of.
Besides the flame of the forest glorifying the meeting of the trees with an azure blue sky in the distance, like a fire beautifying the jungle, Sariska has a wide variety of flora to boast. Amaltas (Cassia fistula) was just about getting ready to bloom. Dhok was all around. And so was the common Ber or the Indian stone apple (Ziziphus Mauritiana), which both langur and Chetal are so very fond of.
White spotted deers and langur- a true symbiotic existence
Sariska also has a rich diversity of animals and is home to many rare species. On our way through the forest we saw Langur, Monkeys, Spotted Deer (Or Chital), Neelgai (Blue bull), Wild boar, Mongoose, Sambhar (The largest in India from the deer family) etc. Home to about 250 birds, both residential and migratory, Sariska also has a rich avifauna.
The Indian Lapwing (Tatihari)
Has my daughter Leah grown a pair of horns?
Among birds we saw Partridge, parrot, peafowl, Indian Lapwing (Tatihari), Red vented sparrow (Bulbul), green pigeon and the long tailed Rufous treepie
Sariska also has a rich diversity of animals and is home to many rare species. On our way through the forest we saw Langur, Monkeys, Spotted Deer (Or Chital), Neelgai (Blue bull), Wild boar, Mongoose, Sambhar (The largest in India from the deer family) etc. Home to about 250 birds, both residential and migratory, Sariska also has a rich avifauna.
The Indian Lapwing (Tatihari)
Has my daughter Leah grown a pair of horns?
Among birds we saw Partridge, parrot, peafowl, Indian Lapwing (Tatihari), Red vented sparrow (Bulbul), green pigeon and the long tailed Rufous treepie
My elder daughter Jeanie is happy feeding a Rufous Treepie, while Seema looks on.
The majestic mysticism of Sariska wild life sanctuary rejuvenated all of us. Why we need to desperately hang on to the nature was one fact that yet again caught on. And the beauty and the earthy charm of the wild allowed us to reinvent us in a whole new way. So folks, adventurers and holiday seekers, with kids schools closed for holidays now is the time to pack your bags and go on a jungle safari. And Sariska is what I strongly recommend.
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