Wherever you go to Hong Kong, there are many things that you can do. There are a lot of attractions in Hong Kong, and it has a little bit of something for everyone. Whether you are a shopping person or a travel person, this country will provide almost everything. So today, in this article, we will talk about one of the most popular attractions of the Hong Kong region, which is The Kowloon Park.
Kowloon Park
Kowloon Park is located in the middle of the biggest shopping district Tsim Sha Tsui. It is one of the largest parks in Hong Kong. In 1970 this park was officially opened for the public, and after that, it quickly turned into a great tourist place for everyone. It’s filled with many attractions for tourists and locals.
If you like greenery, peace, and nature, this park is for you. Kowloon Park covers an area of 13.5 hectares, so you can say that it’s pretty big. You can visit the Kowloon Park on any day of the year, and it’s open from 5 am to 12 am.
Do you need to pay to enter Kowloon Park?
Kowloon Park is a public park that got opened for everyone in 1970. So since it’s a public park, the entry inside the park is free of charge. Although if you want to use the canteen and other facilities there, that will work for sure cost you some expenses.
Things to do when you in Kowloon Park
Visit the Chinese garden.
One of the best things about Kowloon Park is the traditional Chinese garden. The Chinese garden is a combination of grass and concrete. When you walk through the garden, you will see 2 pounds and many Chinese pagodas. There is also a maze where you can enjoy walking. Take your time and sit on the benches while taking a walk and enjoy the sunlight.
Visit the bird lake
If you go to Kowloon Park, there is nothing more beautiful to see than the bird lake. The lake got named the bird lake because when you go there, it’s always filled with beautiful pink flamingos. It’s just quite relaxing and soothing to the mind and also provides you a peaceful environment.
Walk on the 200-meter covered pathway in the rain.
It’s something that you might be able to do if you are in the park and it suddenly starts raining. At Kowloon Park, there is a sheltered pathway where you can walk while enjoying the sound of the rain. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you like rain, it’s just the thing for you.
Take a swim in the pool.
Kowloon Park has two pools, one is an outdoor pool, and another is the indoor pool in the sports section. You can always go there and take a swim, make sure to go on weekdays before the school ends, or else it will get way too crowded.
Watch the Sunday show.
Every Sunday in Kowloon Park, there is a live dragon show, and mixed martial arts performances, the show starts at precisely 2:30 pm and goes on till 4:30 pm. It’s a must-see thing if you visit Kowloon Park on Sunday.
If you are planning a Hongkong trip, connect us at ghoomophirosisters@gmail.com
Madhya Pradesh is emerging as an alternative tourism hotspot standing apart from conventionally popular tourist destinations. And for very good reasons, It has so much to offer – temples, wildlife, indigenous garment industry which has receives fame all over the country. Today, we shall talk about one of the many pleasures it has to offer – Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is located in the Sidhi District of the state. Established in 1978, it spreads over an area of about 478 sq. kms.
The sanctuary is home to over a hundred species of flora and fauna. Among plants you will find here, tall teak trees, mango groves, orchids gigantic creepers, etc are predominant. It boasts of a number of wild animals including Tiger, Panther, Deer, Sambhar, Hyenas, Chinkara, Cheetal, Wild Boar, Black Buck along with an incredible diversity of birds.
How to reach Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary?
The nearest airport to Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary is at Khajuraho, from where you can take the bus. The nearest railhead is at Rewa while Sindhi Bus station is the nearest station. The self-petrol or diesel vehicles are the primary means of transportation within the sanctuary. These vehicles are not yet five years and add splendidly to the experience.
When to visit Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary?
The time from November to June is good to visit the sanctuary. Though given Madhya Pradesh’s climate, we recommend the winter season – that is, November to February.
Our visit to Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary
We arrived at Sanctuary and were greeted by beautiful dry deciduous mixed forest cover. We hired a vehicle and were quickly on our way exploring the abundance of the wildness of the sanctuary. We had some beginner’s luck as we came across a couple of deer our having their breakfast.
However, this bit of good luck was followed by two hours of dryness excepting some sighting of the birds. Just when we thought it was getting boring though we were greeted by a sight of a tiger on his way to someplace in all the splendidness and coolness that only this royal animal could boost. We also had the luck of coming across a Black Buck toward the evening.
We spent the night in a Suit within the Sanctuary playing antakshari with other tourists and left the day after.
Where to stay in or around Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary?
Two cool suites are available in the Bagdara wildlife sanctuary for accommodation – we ourselves stayed in one of these and we highly recommend that you do not miss the experience of spending a night in the wilderness. There is also a forest rest house.
Places around Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary
The benefits of visiting the Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary are not limited to the Sanctuary itself. A number of other attractions, including some other sanctuaries, are located nearby. We highly recommend visiting the Goura Hillock which has some splendid rock paintings.
Some tips
Please do not litter in the Sanctuary.
Visit the Goura Hillock and check out the rock paintings while you are here. You may also be interested in other sanctuaries nearby.
Try to find accommodation within the sanctuary to get the best out of the trip.
That is all from us here at Ghoomophiro. Have you been to Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary? How was your experience? Please do tell us in the comments below. 🙂
You cannot travel to Gujarat but miss out on the epic journey to the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Deadly as they may sound, Asiatic Lions are a glorious sight to behold and you will not find the sight anywhere apart from Gir.
History of Gir Forest
Girl National Park was made into a wildlife sanctuary in 1965 but even before that, back in the 1900s the lions of Gir forest were declared protected by the then Nawab of Junagadh. Since when Junagadh was a princely state, lions used to be hunted down for pleasure following which only 15 lions remained in the forest. The Nawab decided to conserve the remaining lion population and put a ban on hunting them for trophies. Asiatic Lions once used to be found in Africa, Northern Greece and some other parts of the world but now Gir National Park or the adjoining area is the only remaining habitat of 411 Asiatic lions.
Located in Gujarat, it is the only forest where Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) can be spotted. Situated 65 km away from Junagadh, this Wildlife Sanctuary covers 1412 sq kilometre area. The people of Gujarat refer to it as the pride of Gujarat. We have been to tiger reserves (since there are 15 in the country) but Gir was the first and only Lion reserve we had the chance of visiting.
How to reach the Gir national park?
By road: Junagadh and Rajkot are the nearest cities and public transport is available to take you to Gir.
By Air: Rajkot airport is the nearest airport and is about 3.5 hours away from Gir.
By Train: Junagadh Railway station is the nearest railway station.
Get a permit beforehand
Ever since The Supreme Court has restricted the number of safaris per day in wildlife sanctuaries, it is hard to get a permit. We booked a permit online but it has to be done two months in advance since Gir National Park is on high-demand among wildlife enthusiasts. Safari permit itself costs Rs 500 online and it is the same if you buy it at the counter as well. But considering the long queues at the counter, we were happy about booking our slot online months in advance. Along with the permit, there are separate costs for the jeep and the guide. So overall, the safari would cost you Rs 2200. A jeep accommodates 6 people and you can mention it all while booking online along with giving the ID proof of one individual.
Best safari time-slot and pre-safari work
Gir has 3 slots available in a day for Safaris: 6-9 am, 9am-12pm and 3-6pm. The best time slot is the morning slot because there is less heat and the chances of spotting a lion are also higher. After booking online, all we had to do was go to a separate online counter and get our route number. 7 routes go inside Gir Forest and everyone is allotted their jeep, guide and route. We got Route 4. The entire process took about 10 minutes.
Our visit to the Gir National Park
Gir National Park was always on our list of places to see before we die since it is one of the most talked-about destinations for every wildlife enthusiast. While once the population of lions in Gir used to be scarce, now the density is high due to the efforts of the Forest Department. We visited Gir during April and stayed at The Gateway Resort, Gir which is quite close to the forest range.
The Resort helped us book a lodge for the morning safari and after our morning coffee early at 5 am, we were ready to greet the majestic lions. The best way to travel around Gir National Park is in the jeep so firstly we travelled to the Forest Department office and switched jeeps to go deep inside the forest that we were there to explore.
The safari began at 6 am and we waited at the gates for the morning safari to begin. Gir forest is a dry deciduous forest. The jeep covered uneven paths and gradually we went deeper into the dense forest, our eyes focused on any flash of yellow and our ears keen to hear dry trees and twigs break under the impact of the jeep tyres. We scanned around, careful and excited to see if we could be the ones to spot the lion before our guide. The first animal we came across was a peacock followed by many deers.
An hour passed with us staring at the trees and forest cover. By this time, the sunlight had also started creeping in and spreading on the ground. We had started getting a bit disheartened until we heard a loud roaring sound and our jeep came to a halt. The sound was making ripples across the otherwise quiet forest. Soon, a bike appeared and on it, one man who the guide told us was the caretaker of the lions. He told us a story of how lions had gotten familiar to their scent and uniform that one time a cub had taken it to an injured lioness so he could get her help. He was the one who took us to the lions. The jeep’s engine was turned off and there was complete silence all around. The caretaker was making a kind of whistling sound and we were waiting patiently in our jeeps, hoping to spot a lion or a lioness.
Soon, a majestic lioness came walking with her three cubs. The cubs roared but it was a tiny shrill sound that made us smile with joy. Both our guide and the caretaker were alert and observed their every step. Even though they were familiar with the scene, they are careful in case there is an unprecedented attack.
The lioness got closer to our jeep and we were both scared and excited. We stood still and tried to click a picture only when the lioness turned around or was at a distance. It sat down a short distance away and we started clicking as many pictures with as many angles as we could. The best part about the sight was the tiny cubs who played with grass and often jumped on the lioness in their playfulness.
After staying there for short while, we moved ahead hoping to see another such sight. We came across other animals like a fox and some deer who merrily walked around in the forest. There were some small cottages built by tribals in the middle of the forest as well. The tribe coexisted with the lions in the forest and despite it being a National Park, they were never forced to leave.
We did not catch another sight of the lions but were quite satisfied with the earlier spectacle. Our guide kept pointing out different birds to us and we were surprised by his keen eyesight. The fact that he could point out a brown oil sitting in a brown tree shows something about his expertise. On route 4, there lies a Kamleshwar Lake near to a tower that gives a spectacular view of the jungle. Kamleshwar Lake was the habitat of many crocodiles so we were told to maintain our distance but we were still able to spot the back of a crocodile from a distance. The guide kept us hoping for a leopard sighting as well which is very rare. But unfortunately, we could not spot one.
By 9 pm, our Safari had ended and we moved back to our resort.
When to visit?
The National park is closed during Monsoons so the best time to visit is summers. Gujarat has a very hot climate so during summers, the lions come out to drink water and move around a lot. They are visible at watering holes more often than in any other season. One can visit even in winter since the weather is better and you don’t have to suffer the harsh climate in an open-jeep but the chances of spotting a lion in winter are less. What’s a visit to Gir without spotting a lion in all its glory?
Where to Stay?
There are many hotels and resorts available at Sasan Gir, the best one being The Gateway resort which is part of the Taj Group. Then there is the Sinh Sadan Guesthouse which belongs to Gujarat Tourism. Whatever hotel you book, check the location and availability of a swimming pool. You would want a place as near to the forest as possible for the best experience. Also, after a hot day in the safari, soaking in the pool feels heavenly.
Bhubaneshwar (literally ‘king of land’) is the capital of Odisha and one of the major tourist spots of the country. With Puri and Konark, it forms Swarna Tribhuja (the golden triangle) – which is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the East. The attractions of the other two edges of this triangle – Puri, and Konark can be summed up in two words – temples and beaches but Bhubaneshwar is so much more.
There is so much to do in this city but here are the five things that we ghoomophirosisters, personally have enjoyed doing a lot
1. Visiting Temples
The place where Bhubaneshwar is now was once called Ekamra Kshetra meaning temple city. In fact, Bhubaneshwar continues to be called the temple city. There are over a thousand temples in the city and it is next to impossible to visit them all but some of the best ones definitely deserve attention.
The Lingaraj temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the most popular temple in the city. Other famous temples are Rajarani Temple Muktesvara Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple etc.
Rajarani temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has some of his amazing images doing various dance mudras. It was once called Indreshwara and drives its present name from the rock with which it is built ‘Rajarani’. Locally though it is known as ‘love temple’ because of several erotic cavings made on the walls.
Muktesvara temple is second only to Lingaraja temple in terms of architectural beauty and is called ‘gem of Odisha architecture’.
Ananta Vasudeva Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra are worshipped in this temple built in the thirteenth century. Balarama stands under a seven hooded serpent, the image of Subhadra shows her holds Jewels pot and lotus in her hands while keeping her left foot over another jewel pot. The image of Krishna holds a mace, chakra, lotus and a conch
One of the chief attractions of temples is the food on offer. Abadha of Lingaraj Temple and Ananta Vasudeva Temple serve for their devotees is considered a vegetarian culinary delight. Other vegetarian dishes include Dalma (made of lentils and vegetables boiled together and then fried with other spices) and Santula (lightly spiced steamed vegetables).
2. Tribal Research Institute Museum
Tribal Research Institute Museum, also known as ‘Museum of Man’ and get a chance to observe and study tribal art and artifacts, displayed in its five different parts You will find Personal Adornments in first Hall, Belongings, Arts, Paintings & Photographs in second Hall, Hunting & Fishing Implements & Weapons of Offence and Defense in the third hall, Household Objects and Agricultural Implements in the fourth hall and Dance, Musical Instruments and Dhokra Items in the fifth hall.
A visit to this museum gives you a chance to observe closely the culture of the tribal population which, despite so much focus on our own heritage, has not to get the attention it so well deserves.
3. Dhauli hills
Visiting Dhauli Giri makes you feel that you have been kidnapped in the TARDIS and dropped in ancient India The site is of great historical importance, as it was the place where the famous Kalinga was taken place. The war that melted the heart of great King Ashoka, and made him convert to Buddhism. The Shanti Stupa here is mesmerizing. Among other attraction of this place are other Ashoka edicts Budha statue, Shiva temple, and white peace pagoda. Many of these are supposed to have been built at the end of war ushering an age of prosperity and peace for India.
4. Local Cuisine
We have already mentioned the food served at temples but now for foodies who want something non-vegetarian. A fish curry known as Machha Jhola is a must if you visit the city. You can combine it with yummy items like Rasagola, Rasabali, Chhena Jhilli, Chhena Gaja and Chhena Poda.
Gupchup which is a deep-fried crêpe, stuffed with a mix of mashed potatoes and boiled yellow peas, and afterward, dipped in tamarind-infused water is a locale special. Other street food items include more widely known food items of the country like Cuttack-chaat, Dahi Bara, Aloo dum (a deep-fried lentil dumpling marinated into the yogurt-infused water, and served along with potato curry) and Bara-Gauguin
Dahi-Pakhal (rice soaked in water with yogurt and seasonings)is considered as a body coolant, accompanied by Badi Chura or saga are consumed during months of April–June. If you visit Bhubaneshwar and are unable to bear the heat, you now know what to eat.
And a visit to Bhubaneshwar is incomplete if you haven’t tasted the huge variety of sweets it has to offer.
5.Nandankanan Zoological Park
India’s first zoo to joinWorld Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Nandankanan ( literally ‘garden of paradise’ ) zoo and botanical garden is home to several rare and endangered species like Asiatic lions, Indian crocodilians, big rock Pythons, White tigers etc. White Tigers are always majestic and also scary! There is an aquarium too and a reptile park here too. One of the most fun things was that the reptile park was guarded by a Tyrannosaurus Rex!
And it is time for yourbonus –
Biju Patnaik Park
Biju Patnaik Park is named after a chief minister of Odisha.The park has a lake – you can a walk around or boating in it. The best attraction of the park though is the refreshing way in which water of the fountain dances to music. Don’t miss the splendid evening it has to offer.
Conclusion
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Bhubaneshwar has far, far more to offer. I have just run out of my fingers. Among the other tourist spots are included Odisha State Museum,Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Regional Museum of Natural History, Regional Science Center and State Handicrafts Museum. Day girl and Khandagiri Caves etc. Also, make sure to go shopping in urban half of Bhubaneshwar to get some souvenirs. Definitely consider buying Patthachitra paintings, palm leaves carvings and other such handicrafts to be able to take something of the city with you. If you are into Odishan movies, Ollywood might also interest you. Odissi dance is generally accompanied by Odissi music. Srjan, the famous Odissi dance academy founded by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, the legendary Odissi dancer is found here. The Rabindra Mandap in central Bhubaneswar might also interest you, do check if it might be hosting some cultural program, dance, theatre or private function which it frequently does. .There is so much you can do – why haven’t you already started backpacking?
Tigers are majestic. The word ‘royal’ is redundant in name of Royal Bengal Tigers, our national animal. However, another class of tigers perhaps outdo even the Bengal tigers – the white tigers who gave the title to Arvind Adiga’s Man Booker award-winning book ‘The White Tiger’.
Theoretically speaking there is not much difference between white tigers. They live, love and bread in similar conditions and habitat and very much similar nature. And yet white tigers are loved far more – perhaps because of their rarity … or perhaps it is absurdity of their existence, you almost get the sense that they should not exist, nature defies its own rules in letting them come into existence, perhaps breaking away from its own set, rigid ways to create something beautiful.
It is this majesty of white tigers that infatuated us with a strong desire for white tigers. And there was one and only place to do it – Mukundpur where the world’s first white tiger safari was held. And Munkunpur very well deserved the honor of being the place where maiden tiger safari should be held as it was also the very place where first white tiger of the world was spotted by Rewa king Maharaja Martand Singh in 1951.
About Mukundpur
When speaking of tigers, Madhya Pradesh quickly comes mind – especially when the subject is white tigers. It is perhaps one of the most gifted places when it comes to being home to most royal of all creature
Mukundpur is a village in Satna District of Madhya Pradesh State, located at a distance of 478 km from the state capital, Bhopal. The beautiful village is surrounded by water bodies on one side and by the forests on the other. It got its name from Maharaja Mukund Dev, since whose birthplace it was and attracted the attention of wildlife enthusiasts for first time in 1951 when the first white tiger was spotted here by Mahara Martand Singh.
The tiger that was sighted by Maharaja Martand Singh was named Mohan. Mohan was probably a result of genetic mutilation, however, the mutilation was so beautiful that Maharaja encouraged breading via Mohan to produce more white tigers. It is from Mohan that all white tigers of the world have descended.
How to reach Munkunpur?
By Air:
The nearest airport is at Rewa which is located at a distance of 15.6 km. You can hire a taxi from there.
By Rail
Rewa located at a distance of 15.6 km has the nearest railway station. You can hire a taxi from there.
By Road:
You can hire taxis from several of nearby major cities including Rewa and Lalitpur.
The White Tiger Safari
The white Tiger Safar at a Mukundpur was one of the high priority items on our itinerary during our tour to Bhopal. We took a long detour just in order to enjoy it first catching a train to Rewa and then hiring a taxi from there. We reached Mukundpur a bit tired but what was held in there can freshen up any wildlife enthusiast.
We started by visiting the zoo first. We took a golf car to see the zoo and we got a chance to see the white tigers as well as several other animals – such as bears, black bucks, lions, etc. The sight of all the exotic animals was thrilling but white tigers stood in their own league.
The safari was opened from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The tickets were very reasonably charged. We seated ourselves in the safari van and let ourselves enjoy the mesmerizing view of tigers. Within the very first hour, we got a chance to see a deer who passed by the van though we failed to click it.
But after that, nature seemed to have turned it back on us for next few hours as we roamed around in the beautiful sights created by natural vegetation but our eyes starved for a sight of the grand prize. Even near the pond where tigers were most likely to be sighted – given the love of all wildlife for drinking water and tiger’s best chance of finding his prey there, we achieved no success.
At a little of 3 p.m. when we were already at the end of our hopes, someone in the van started screaming in excitement. And yes, it was a white tiger lying a few feet away oblivious to the excitement his sight has caused among us, lesser mortals, in the van.
It seemed to be lazying about, but even that was enough for us to go click happy (a rare privilege granted to us). We clicked its pictures, in one he was yawning and even in that picture it seemed so cool. Perhaps tigers just can’t help being cool.
It was a majestic sight. And it stayed there – for what? like fifteen minutes, letting us admire him and his royal indifferent ways before getting up and walking away in the direction away from us. Our guide told us it was named Raghu and was one of the first tigers to be brought to the reserve.
And this was the highlight of the safari. Nothing much happened after that.
What to take back home?
We highly recommend buying some locally handcrafted goods made of bamboos as the perfect souvenir one might get from Mukukndpur.
Travel Trips:
Please note that photography is not generally allowed during the tiger safari.
Follow the rules of the tiger reserve and the instructions given by the staff of the reserve
Conclusion
It was a 478-kilometer distance we had to travel on trains and buses just to reach Mukundpur from Bhopal and then an equal distance on our way back but the unique experience which was waiting for us there was more than worth it. We are even considering going for another safari there soon.
Located 11 km away from the Library point in Mussoorie is Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, surrounded by pine trees and views of snow-capped mountains. This sanctuary is a part of the Rajaji National Park in the ‘Queen of Hills’. The place is popular among bird-watchers since it is a haven for rare bird species. Set among dense forests, it also gives the nature lover something to be enthused about and also the mesmerizing sights of the peaks of Chaukhamba and Bandar Punch.
What to do there?
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful place and there are plenty of attractions here, of course, everything is connected to nature because that is the biggest highlight of the place. Major ones being:
Flora
The whole sanctuary is surrounded by pine-covered slopes and there are plenty of medicinal herbs and plants in the area as well. Benedictory pines old cedar trees and Fir trees are seen all around the place and as we walked amidst that dense forest, we felt like we were lost in a fairy tale.
Fauna
This is one of the major attractions of the place—its wide range of rare and beautiful bird species. It is a hub for bird-watchers who can spot White Capped Water Redstart birds, mountain quails and Red Billed Blue Magpie among other wide variety of birds. There are also many wild animal species such as Himalayan bear, deep, leopard and panthers that can be spotted.
Trekking:
The sanctuary offers multiple trekking opportunities for the area within or surrounding areas. We took a trek from cloud’s endpoint to Benog Sanctuary, watching amazing views on the way. Since the sanctuary is located amidst the solitary region of Mussoorie, it is perfect for people looking forward to spending some alone time in solace. It is away from the hassle of the crowded city.
Our experience:
The place gave us a complete ‘Into the wild’ feeling as we explored the wilderness on foot, with our camera in our hands. There were just so many places where we just wanted to sit and not move for hours at end. Benog Wildlife sanctuary is one place that is still unmarked by degradation through heavy tourism. Everything is still natural and raw there. There were so many beautiful birds, some of which we were able to capture in our camera. Trekking with such incredible views was a delight as well, and the snow-capped mountains just added a cherry to the top. It is the perfect place to escape from the city and take a day off. Mussoorie is one of the top tourist attractions, and this wildlife sanctuary showed us exactly why that is. Our visit to Benog Wildlife sanctuary turned out to be a perfect mix of leisure and adventure holiday.
Travel Tips:
The timings for the sanctuary are 7 am to 5 am so it is preferred to leave early since vehicles are not too easily available and one should have enough time to explore the place.
Best Time to visit would be April to November, though the sanctuary does remain open throughout the year.
Where to Stay?
There are plenty of accommodation options near the sanctuary itself ranging from luxury hotels, resorts to budget hotels.
How to Reach?
From Library point, public and private buses are easily available and it is 11km away by Road.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport which is 60 km away from Mussoorie.
The nearest railways station is Dehradun Railway Station which is 30 km from Mussoorie.
So hurry up and start planning your next getaway to Mussoorie! The natural beauty, scenic views, natural wilderness is all worth it.
The Bandhavgarh forest in Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh has a rich history. The Bandhavgarh fort that lies inside the forest dates back to the 10th century. It is mentioned in old epics of Hindu Mythology as the Fort that belonged to Lord Ram’s Brother Lakshman and that is why it is called “Bandhavgarh”, ‘Bandhu’ meaning brother. It is believed that after defeating Ravan, Lord Rama stopped at this place and asked Nar and Neel to build a fort, to keep an eye on Lanka, since it is on the highest hill in Central India. The fort is built on 811 meters above a hilltop. On the hilltop, atop a plateau of 4sq km, that fort is built. The Bandhavgarh Fort lies in the Tala region of Bandhavgarh Forest. After the fort was made, Lakshman became the resident deity of the fort.
Around the forts, there are caves dug in sandstone which are 2000 years old with Brahmi scripture on the walls. These caves are said to be the meditating place of a lot of sages, until the 12th century when Baghels laid a claim on it. The Fort was also ruled by the Royal family of Reva who still owns the fort. We could see the traces those royal families left behind when they vacated the fort. We saw the treasury, the horse stable, and the temple.
We entered the fort through the main gate called Karn Pole and came across Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatar statues and the lakes inside the fort. The Vishnu statues are not alone and are accompanied by Shivlingas as well. The legend goes that this lake emerges from the Charan Ganga that flows from Lord Vishnu’s 32 ft statue at Shesh Shaya. Firstly, the tall statues of Narasimha, Tortoise idol took us by awe and then we got to know about the man-made pond at the top as well.
We were told that the renowned mystic poet and saint also stayed and preached here. There’s a Kabir hermitage inside the fort and our guide showed us the escape place that Kabir used to move out from the Fort, to Kashi, where apparently he met with his Guru.
Till date, there is a two-day festival for Kabir Panthis when they accumulate inside the fort. It happens in the month of December and there’s a huge gathering of Kabir followers worldwide who come barefoot.
But we need to specifically mention one thing though, despite the rich history of the Fort, what makes our trip to Bandhavgarh fort truly worthwhile was the view of the forest from the fort. It was breathtakingly beautiful and that was a sight like no other.
The present priest of the Fort is employed by the Forest department while the earlier priest was in an alliance with the Maharaja of Rewa. During the festivities, the population surrounding are allowed free access. The climb to the fort may be hard but once you reach there, it will be a great feeling. Once ruled by Kings, now the Fort is ruled by Tigers who walk in the surrounding areas, unafraid and there are myths about these Tigers accompanying Temple priest to the Fort and even fighting a sloth bear for their protection.
Walking around the fort gave us the impression that it contained many more untold stories and the rich history we were told about was barely a part of the real story. There is so much to see and experience in there that we were glad to have gotten the chance to visit.
Time to Visit:
Though entry into Bandhavgarh is prohibited for a while, that decision may be revised. Keeping that in mind, the best time to visit would be November to April.
There are plenty of accommodations available in the Tala district, Bandhavgarh.
How to reach: The place is well connected by road, air, and railways. You need to get down at Umaria station which is overnight from Delhi.
Dudhwa national park is a big natural habitat for India’s diverse flora and fauna and lies on the India-Nepal border in the Terai district of Uttar Pradesh. It happens to be a part of Dudhwa tiger reserve and one of the most visited national park for the researchers and tourists alike in the entire country.
The rich and extremely fertile Indo-Gangetic plains play a pivotal role in supporting a flamboyant growth of forests diversity of fauna. Some of the best forests of ‘Sal’ tree in the world, amongst other flora can be found here.
Sprawling across an area of 811 square kilometers of marshes, grasslands, and dense forests, Dudhwa National Park is acknowledged as an unexplored paradise beholding the nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and bird watchers. The main attractions of the park are Swamp Deer and Tigers species.
How to reach
The place is at a distance of about 600 kilometers from Delhi and a drive of 9 hours will take you here. Or take a train to Shajehanpur from where the park is at a distance of 40 kilometers. The nearest airport is Lucknow airport, from where it may take 4 hours to reach the park.
Sightseeing
Dudhwa National Park is home for over 38 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles and 400 species of birds. The park comprises two core areas: Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur wildlife sanctuary.
Out of the many attractions, the park has for you, tigers and swamp deer are two most beautiful and endangered species one can see. Hispid hare, one of the most exotic species of rabbits which was considered to be extinct three decades back, was later found right here in the park. So, in a way, there may be some pleasant surprises waiting for you here.
The other animals one could see here are sambar deer, barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, tiger, Indian rhino, sloth beer, ratel, jackal, civets and jungle cats among many other common wild animals. Other that, there is barasingha, a rare deer species that is hardly found anywhere else in the world. A study that was undertaken on the population of barasingha revealed that of all the barasinghas present in the world today, half of them are right here in Dudhwa national park. One can easily spot the herd of this rare animal walking around casually in the park in its very natural habitat.
Birds
Dudhwa national park is a paradise for birds. Some rare species could be found here, along with the migratory birds that cover a distance of about half the earth to be here. There are more than 350 species of birds that can be witnessed here any day. Of them, there are some special species that are rare such as swamp francolin, great slaty woodpecker and Bengal florican. In winters, the migratory birds settle their bases in the park and leaves as soon as the winter ends such as bulbuls, sales and minivets.
There are also the drongos, barbets, cormorants, ducks, geese, hornbills, bulbuls, teal, woodpeckers, heron, bee-eaters, minivets, kingfishers, egrets, orioles, painted storks, owls. There are other common species as well. In short, it can be said that Dudhwa national park happens to be a sure shot delight for the avid bird watchers and photographers. The Bengal florican has always been in the highest demand when it comes to wildlife photography and a survey revealed that most of the photographers head here from across the country and the world to catch the beautiful bird in their cameras.
Conclusion
India is a diverse country, and so is the animal kingdom that lives here. Among all the other national parks, Dudhwa is one of the ideal in the country for wildlife enthusiasts.
Kerala is known as “God’s own country” but apart from beautiful beaches and backwaters, it also has a wide variety of wildlife. A large area of Kerala is given to National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries for the preservation of biodiversity. Here are some of the National Parks in Kerala:
Eravikulam National Park
It is the oldest National park of Kerala. It is located along the Western Ghats in Idukki district. The highest peak in South India aka Anamudi is also located inside the park. Moreover, it has the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr. The park can be reached from Kochi or Coimbatore Airport or from Munnar town which is just 13 km away. Inside the part, there are motorable roads or you can walk on foot enjoying the scenic views.
Periyar National Park
It is the largest National Park in Kerala. It lies in the district of Pathanamthitta and Idukki. It is most popular for its tiger and elephant reserve and there are also White tigers present here. Periyar National park is as rich in scenic charm as it is in biodiversity. From the forests of this National Park, Periyar and Pamba rivers originate which are delightful visions. You can reach the park by Air from Kochi or Madurai airports or by rail. The nearest railhead is Kottayam and by road, Kumily is the nearest town. Instead of your usual boat cruise, go on a trek with some tribals and fill your eyes with the splendid hills and jungles.
Silent Valley National Park
It is Kerala’s second largest national park. It lies within the Palakkad district in the Nilgiri Hills. An endangered species of primate i.e. lion-tailed macaques is found here. The National Park was named Silent Valley by the British because noisy cicadas were assumed to absent here making this the perfect place of silence and harmony. The nearest railway station is Palakkad. From there, reach Mukkali which is 60 km away and can be reached through bus. From Mukkali, you can hire jeeps to move around. You can see the Kunti river and go at the watchtower that looks over the jungle.
Mathikettan Shola National Park
The name ‘Mathikettan’ itself means mind confused in Tamil. They say that one forgets his path after entering the park. The park is spread over 12.82 km2 in Poopara village of Udumbanchola Taluk. Visitors can approach Mathikettan Shola via Munnar and Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. The area has unique flora and fauna. There are lion safaris, deer parks and waterfalls to enjoy. It is a haven for botanists and ideal for ecotourism.
Pampadum Shola National park
It is the smallest National Park of Kerala. The name itself means ‘the forest where snakes dance’. The park contains various types of medicinal herbs and is rich in uncontaminated ‘humus’. The key species of this National park is Nilgiri marten. There are also tigers, leopards, Python, King cobra and Indian wild dogs that can be seen during dusk or dawn. It is just 35 km away from Munnar town and can be reached easily through road travel. You can join the Nature trail to watchtower as an adventure trekking option.
Such richness in biodiversity makes Kerala not only God’s country but also a haven for its innocent majestic creatures. With such fresh air and clear waters, these National parks and wildlife sanctuaries also add to the beauty of the place attracting tourists from all over. Nature lovers are especially drawn to Kerala because of its beautiful forests and greenery.
Keoladeo National Park, earlier known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a famous avifauna sanctuary, a destination for more than 350 avian species including a good number of rare and migratory birds that come here in flocks, especially during the winters. It is among the top rated bird sanctuaries in India and the world. This UNESCO world heritage site, locally known as Ghana, is a mosaic of dry and wet grassland, spread over an area of 29 sq. The mini paradise is located not very far from the most popular three Golden Triangles: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and hence visited by a large number of visitors.
Important Info
The park remains open throughout the year from sunrise to sunset. From August to November, the national park is home to resident breeding birds, while from October to February migratory birds inhabit the place. The entrance fee for Indian citizens is Rs. 25 whereas for foreign nationals the fee is Rs. 200.
The pathway
Lined by the trees on the both sides, the pathway inside the park is gleaming with the exotic visuals of some rare and beautiful birds. The sanctuary in its entirety shall best be visited on the cycles or by foot in order to get the best of it. Along with the birds of some exotic species and the most common ones, the sanctuary also serves as a great shelter for some butterflies. Not only that, some scavengers like the Indian fox can be seen roaming around fearlessly with no intention of harming any human being.
Bird watching
Out of the different species of birds one could have the pleasure of witnessing birds such as the Herons, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Eagles, Kites, Parakeets, Pigeons, Cranes, Stilts, Lapwings, Storks, Woodpeckers, Owls, Wagtails, Waterhens, Moorhens, Swamphens, Bulbuls, Babblers, Doves, Duck’s, Egrets, Ibis, and Pelicans. Although it isn’t really needed, but carrying a binocular would help greatly in case the tourists want to have an up and close view of the birds. Differentiating among the domestic Indian birds with the migrating ones would require you to have a professionally trained guide with you.
When it comes to the antelopes, the Nilgais are more frequently seen here than any other animal. The low-lying wetland’s lush greenery is the perfect habitat for them. On the other hand, the Serpent Eagle is also there to feast on and scare off the small birds. Parakeets, on the other hand, can, however, steer them away while making some noises which are known to be the eagle repellent.
The man made islands are located in the middle of the sanctuary where ducks, egrets and cormorants live in their natural habitat. In the winters, they can be seen having warm sunbaths after the cold winter nights. There are about a dozen such islands inside the sanctuary where the ducks can be seen flapping their birds freely in all their glory.
Not to miss
One must not miss out on a boat ride, which is less known yet promises an incredible experience for both birders and nature lovers.
While at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, you can opt to stay at Bharatpur Forest Lodge.
Food
Foodies won’t find many places to eat in the vicinity of the park. Salim Ali road in the town offers so many food joints to eat. The restaurant at Hotel Sunbird offers a sumptuous breakfast. ITDC hotel is an ideal place to grab Rajasthani cuisine, also it offers the yummiest Mughlai and Continental feast.
Conclusion
In short, the Bharatpur bird sanctuary is one of those very few places in the country where the bird enthusiasts have ample opportunities to witness and photograph an ample number of birds and animals in their entire wilderness. The trip to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary can be combined with Deeg Palace and Fort & Mathura Museum visit.
