RANTHAMBHOR FORT:-

Ranthambhore fort situated inside the Ranthambhore national park, which is 15 Km far from Sawai Madhopur Railway Station.

Well known fort with the great history of johar and braveness in wars This fort built in 944 vast in size; it encompasses an area of nearly 07-KM in circumference its history dates back of the 11th Century when Rana Hammir ruled from is ramparts its massive battlements enclose one of India’s most ancient forts.

Legend has It that in 1381 ten thousand women committed johar or mass suicide history records however show that the fort with stood the assaults of a galaxy of generals and emperors. Kutub-ud-din (1209), Allaudin Khlizi 1301 firoz Tuglak (1325) Bhadurshah of Gujarat 1530 and even Akbar the great besieged of the fort from 1558 to 1559.

In 19th Century Ranthambhore become a prison fortress.

The fort then reverted to the maharaja of Jaipur and the surrounding jungles become the private hunting grounds.

In Ranthambhore the monuments are in well condition and worth visiting and it has also from top of the fort marvelous view of the lake from and Ranthambhore National Park.

When we enter in the fort we have to cross 07 gates they have their different special names in side the fort 7 big and water holes

Some More information

Before we start on the description and history of the fort - one piece of advice - Try not to go there without a pair of binocs or a powerful lens for your camera! Also, try and set aside one entire day just for the fort. You shouldn't regret it.

The Ranthambore Fort is located at the top of a rocky outcrop in the middle of the forest, which almost literally marks the meeting of the Aravali and Vindhya hills ranges. A marked difference can be noticed in the terrain in front of and that behind the fort. The fort is huge and covers an area of approximately 7 kilometers in circumference. It is one of the oldest forts in the country and is said to have been built in 944 AD a Chauhan warrior.

Due to its location and structure, it is considered to have been one of the most difficult forts to overthrow. It repulsed attempts by great warriors such as Alaudin Khilji, Kutub-ud-din, Feroz Tughlaq, and Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. The most successful ruler of this fort is known to have been Rao Hammir in the 11th century.

According to a legend, over a thousand women once committed mass suicide as they would rather have killed themselves than fall prey to the armies of a victorious invader.

In 1528, the reign of the fort went into the hands of the Mughals and even the great emperor "Akbar" is said to have stayed at the fort between 1558 and 1559

The Fort was finally gifted by the Mughals in the late 17th century to the Maharaja of Jaipur, who ruled his kingdom not far away from the magnificent fort at Amer. The fort then remained with the royal family of Jaipur. The surrounding jungles which now form the National Park were then the royal hunting grounds. This turned out to be a boon for the forest as hunting was extremely well controlled and the wilderness allowed flourishing

A trip to the fort is a thrilling experience. The first thing that hits you is the breathtaking view in every direction. The interiors of the fort are also stunning. The quality of workmanship is difficult to match even today despite the advances that science has made in every field. The acoustics of the Hammir court, where a whisper can be heard at the other end of the building, is only one of the many marvels one witnesses here.

The "Gupt Ganga" is another marvel which is a series of steps cut into rock until they arrive at a perennial stream. Please ensure that you endeavour to go down these steps only if you are carrying some source of light with you. Other than the possibility of snakes and bats, the steps very abruptly come to an end at square opening under which the water flows.

For the religious minded, the fort is an absolute must visit. The entire fort is dotted with beautiful temples and also a mosque. The most famous of these being the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is said that devotees actually send in letters to the God at this temple, which are brought up daily by the local postman.

If you are not a person interested in ancient architecture and history, you will still not go back disappointed because of the view of the park the fort offers. With a pair of good binoculars, it is definite that you would be able to spot any tiger coming out to the lake waters below. A sight that is different but equally awesome as seeing a tiger up close. The fort also possesses an excellent population of birds, resident and migratory. This is due to the numerous water bodies present within its confines and the excellent vegetation.


A visit to RANTHAMBHORE National Park without a trip to the fort should not even be imagined.


Ganesh temple: this temple is very famous and old belongs to 10 century the temple has idol of full family includes two wife’s Riddi and Siddi and two sons Subh and labh lord ganesh idol has 03 Eyes and idol has only head and it came out from the rock

Johara Bohara: old grain Godwin the special architecture made it to keep all the grains for lone time in preservation and there are two huge hall to keep all the grain and there is a way go to the roof by cart (Camel or ox Cart) and there is holl on the roof to fill up the wheat from the top and take it out from the gate so they can use it full hall.

Badal Mahal: A dancing & meeting hall. There is big hall with small
Rooms for oil lamps there is a under ground room with three window with the facing view towards the lake

Gupt Ganga. : A secret water hole with the goddess Ganga temple

Thirty two pillar cenotaph: it is establish in the heart of the fort and it was in memory of Maharaja Jatra Singh and also there is a uncommon thing which is under this Cenotaph Shiv temple

Hammir Court: it was using like the Court


Balas at Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary: -


Approx. 10 kms from Sawai Madhopur City, lies this haven for wildlife in the scenic area of the Aravalli Hills. An ideal additional trip or alternative to the safari in RANTHAMBHORE National Park, this sanctuary offers rugged hillsides, beautiful scenery, wildlife and birds. It is one of the best habitats in the area for the Leopard, the Honey Buzzard, the Indian Coarser and many more! Click on the link for more information


SOORWAL LAKE: -

Located 14km from Sawai Madhopur is a shallow seasonal lake, situated between acres of agricultural fields, which usually dries out by April/May is home to a large number of different kinds of migratory birds during the winter. Painted storks, flamingoes, spoonbills, sarus cranes, greylag geese amongst others can be seen in large numbers in between the months of November and March. During this season, the best time to see birds is very early in the morning and serious bird watchers should be at the lake before sunrise

MANSAROVAR LAKE: -

This water bodies on the age of the park attract thousand of migrating bird during winter and are specially exiting for bird watching some time in this area we can find some wild animals also, there is fisher men with the boats also we can hire those boats for boating in this lake.

DEVPURA:-

14 km from Sawai Madhopur Where black buck abound, is not far from Surwal villages. Interestingly, black buck are almost never seen inside the RANTHAMBHORE Tiger reserve due to their preference for open spaces to jungles along with this trip you can get closer meet with the villages cultural

KHANDAR FORT: -

The ruins of this majestic and historic fort are located on the outskirts of the RANTHAMBHORE Tiger reserve, not far from Sawai Madhopur. En-route there are very interesting landscapes, temples and villages worth seeing and spending some time viewing.

RAMESHWARAM: -

50km from Sawai Madhopur lies at the confluence of the Chambal and Banas rivers and is home for large number of migratory birds, crocodiles, alligators, the endangered river dolphins and many other animal species. A group of ancient temples are also located at the ghat worth seeing. Since the ghat is beyond the Mansarovar Lake and Khandar fort one can visit both these places in the same trip

WHOLE RANTHAMBHOR PARK – AREAWISE

· JOGI-MAHAL : -

It is a forest rest house, some 250 years old, and commands the View of Pad am Talao or the Lotus lake on one side and the Ramparts of Ranthambhore Fort on the other Adjacent to it is One of India’s largest banyan tree fondly known as the ‘walking Tree’ because over the years it has sent out so many branches There by increasing its shade area. This rest house was closed to the Public in 1992. To visit it requires special permission of the Deputy Field Director, Core Area.

· GILAI SAGAR :

Mansraovar and several other water bodies in and outside the Park attracts thousands of migratory birds during winter and are Especially exciting for bird-watchers. Sometimes in these areas You can even find a herd of black buck, the rarely seen antelope Of this arid region. People worship this antelope as Krishnamrig Or Lord Krishna’s deer for its colouring is like Lord Krishna. Even Though it lives around villages and often devastates fields it is held Sacred and never attacked.

· BAKAULA : -

An evergreen area of Jamun Groves, lots of running stream It is a favourite place for tigers to cool off at the height of Summer. This is an excellent place to watch sambar deer, Especially when they are in rut, between November & February. The Sambar in Ranthambhore is a favourite prey Of the tiger, and Bakaula is famous for endless tiger kills.

· KACHIDA : -

A valley of Flame of the forest trees that turns deep red Towards the end of March. Around the Kachida waterhole You can find concentrations of spotted deer whose rutting Season lasts throughout the year. It is also well known for its Two resident leopards that frequent this area. This is rather Special as leopards are very difficult to sight in tiger country.

RAJ BAGH LAKE: -

Twice a year in October & May the Ragbags Lake is Carpeted with lotus flowers and is filled with lotus- Eater, It has the highest density of sambar deer and Marsh crocodiles. This lake has a series of backwater Pools that are used in the monsoon by crocodiles who Lay their eggs in large holes in the banks. Scores of young Crocodiles can be seen in these pools in October and November. Rajbagh is also frequented by birds of prey Like the crested serpent eagle, the grey-headed fish eagle, The osprey, the crested hawk eagle and the brown fish owl. The back pools are like little nurseries for chital and sambar Whose young ones can be found here in large numbers With their mothers.

PHUTA-KOT : -

The most dramatic cliffs of Ranthambhore are found here. Some call it the Colorado of the area. Hundreds of vultures Can be found nesting in these high cliffs. A few kilometers away is Guda where you can see good populations of the Nilgai or the blue bull. Their courtship takes place between November and February and you can watch the clash of Two big males as they fight for the attentions of the female.

· HIGH-POINT: -

This point gives you a virtual ‘aerial’ view of the park and is well worth the time it takes getting there. You can see the dramatic hill ranges of the Aravallis & the Vindhyas from here. On this drive you might also see the Indian gazelle or Chinkara, which is quite rare in Ranthambhore. These deer’s are very shy and are normally found in twos and threes. They are the most elegant and dainty antelopes to be found in this area.


· SEMLI & BERDA: -

The road branches after Lakarda and if you take the road to The right, within a kilometer, you will come across Breathtaking landscapes that seems to stretch till infinity. When you reach r T-junction you have the Berda valley on Your right and the Smell valley on your left. And both are Spectacular! Both these valley have been used frequently In the past by tigresses raising their litters. The terrain has Numerous nallahs or dried streambeds, and excellent Protective cover for young tigers to shelter in. The grass Around attracts good populations of deer and is vital in Providing food for young tigers.

· KHEMSA – KUND: -

The road to Khemsa Kund circles the side of the Fort that was Always attacked over the last thousand years. Khemsa Kund It is an ancient water tank and well worth seeing. According to tradition there was an underground tunnel that Led from the Fort to Khemsa Kund. The Forts resident used this In times of drought for the Kund always had water.

· KUKRAJ GHATI: -

After you pass Rajbagh Lake you start climbing and cross Ghazal hill till you reach the peak of Kukraj. From here you Get an unbelievable view of the National Park. This drive Through the plateaus of Ranthambhore is very good for bear Sighting and they can be found rummaging around termite Hills. It is in this area that some of the encounters between Tigers and bears have been witnessed.

· LAHAPUR VALLEY: -

A large flat grassland, surrounded by sharp ridges, makes this a relatively undisturbed area and very good for viewing Deer, antelope and tigers. There is a small lake that has water till March and attracts a large amount of birds including the pelican. This valley also has good sighting of Lesser cats like the jungle cat and the caracal.

· SULTANPUR KI KUI: -

This is a lovely road full of tendu trees and is one of the most Scenic drives in the park. The road curls around to guda and Comes back via phutakot. In the fruiting season of the tendu In March, the sloth bears of Ranthambhore feast along this Road. It is a route where wild life viewing is limited but the Diverse landscapes make up for it.