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Sariska
Wildlife Sanctuary, Alwar
| Location |
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40 kms from Alwar |
| Area
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232 sq. Kms. |
| Speciality |
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Blue Bull |
| Best
Time to Visit |
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November to June |
| Built
in |
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1892 - 1900 |
The Sariska Tiger Reserve
is just 40 kms. from Alwar and about 107 Kms. from Jaipur and 200
Kms. form Delhi. The sanctuary can be visited all year-round except
during July-August when animals move to higher ground. The
senctuary is in a wooded valley surrounded by barren mountains. 'Dhok'
(Anogeissus pendula) is the dominant tree species of the lower hill
slopes, forming almost the pure crop. On higher and steeper slopes
it is replaced by strands of 'Salar' (Boswellia serrata) trees and
in the valleys by 'Ber' (Zizyphus species), 'Dhak' (Butea monosperma),
'Ronj' (Acacia leucophloea and khair (Acacia catechu). Sariska has
a very good population of sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope,
wild boar and common langur. The caracal and jungle cat, Porcupines,
purely nocturnal rodents, are conspicuous after sunset. Water holes
have been created at number of spots in the sanctuary. These water
holes are now acting as the nerver centers of the sanctuary. Common
birds at Sariska are partridges (Grey and black), peacock, red spurfowl,
pigeons (blue, rock and green),qualis.Sand grous, parakeets baya,kits,eagle
and vultures.
You see mainly deer during
the two-hour tour, most of them fleeing in panicat the approach, at
tremendous speed, of a lurching minibus full of screaming tourists
with a man halfway out of the cab waving a spotlight and shouting
excitedly. A better way to see the game is to hook a 'hide' overlooking
one of the waterholes for Rs 10 (Rs 20 for foreigners). Take along
food, drink and a sleeping bag(mattersses are provided). Entry to
the park costs Rs 2 (Rs 10 for foreigners)
Number of spots of historical
importance are scattered all over the reserve. Pandu Pol temple narrates
the stroy of the Mahabharat period when the mighty Bhim was taught
a lesson on humility. The ruins of Ghar Rajor date back of 9th and
10th century. A.D. Here an area of approximately three square kilometers
is literally covered with invaluable pieces of rare sculptures and
architecture. Historians believe that some of the art pieces were
carved as early as in the 4th or 5th enctruy A.D. A stone incription
of 10th centruy mentions about the destruction caused to the structures
by an earthquake. Only three monuments that survived the earthquake
present some glimpses of the past glory of the area. These are Neelkanth
temple of Lord Shiva, a 16 feet high. Single stone statue of a Jain
Tirthankar and a temple of Thankuriji. The ruins of Kankwari Fort
reminds the visitor of the events of the 17th centruy.
Bharathari is
a sacred Place for thousands of Hindus living in the adjoining areas.The
place is named after Raja Bharathari of Ujjain who meditated here
for a number of years before finally taking 'Samadhi' on 8th of
'Shukla-Paksha in the Bhadon month of the Hindu calendar. Devotees,
in hundreds of thousands from far and near,gather here on this day
every year to commemorate the event. The area is well forested and
is served by a perennial stream of water. It has a good population
of Hanuman langurs. Tal Vrakhsha,located about 20 kms. fromt he
Sariska comples, is another interesting place. It is believed that
a Rishi (saint) Mandava lived and meditated here and he acquired
divine knowledge at this spot. He worshipped lord Shiva and for
salvation of the people living in the region, brought the sacred
river Ganga', in the form of two streams of hot and cold water to
this area. Temples of Ganga Mata and Lord Shiva still attract devotees
to the area. Tal Vrakhsha now has a small grove of Arjun trees with
a large population of rhesus monkeys. Both these places are worth
visiting.
Sariska Palace built
in 1892 - 1900 as hunting campy by the erstwhile ruler of Alwar
is now a lusury hotel,Sariska is open to visitors throughout the
year but the best season to observe wildlife is during winter months,
i.e. from November to March. The rajasthan Tourism Dev. Corpn.ruins
a hotel and also provides transport on hire to visit the sancturary.
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