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Photos of Bandhavgarh National Park, a Haven of Natural Beauty in Madhya Pradesh
These photos take you through the incredible biodiversity in Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
One of the most famous of India’s numerous wildlife preserves, Bandhavgarh National Park is said to have the highest density of Bengal tigers. It’s name literally translates to Fort of the Brother, as a reference to the story that Rama, the mythological king of Ayodhya, gave the hillock to his brother Lakshmana. The brother was tasked to look over the kingdom of Lanka, where Rama and his army fought a war against the evil king Lanka to free his wife, Sita. But Bandhavgarh today is significant for its flora and fauna, showcased in the photos below. ALSO READ: Top 5 national parks in Madhya Pradesh every wildlife lover must visit
A safari jeep on a trail through the forest in Bandhavgarh National Park
A male cub of the tigress Rajbhera crosses a pool in Bandhavgarh
A tigress and her cubs bask in a sunny day on a forest glade
Chital or cheetal deer, also known as spotted deer or axis deer in the park
A closeup of two cheetal deer fighting in Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh Hill, from which the region gets its name; the fort lies atop the hill
An Indian roller spotted in Bandhavgarh
And here’s an Indian vulture in Bandhavgarh; the park is a paradise for bird watchers
A closeup of a butterfly at the park; notice the beautiful yet deceptive camouflage on its wings
Shesh-Saiya, an ancient sculpture of the god Vishnu in the core zone of Tala
The history of the region dates back to the 1st century, and you can even find caves with manmade paintings and inscriptions that highlight the importance of Bandhavgarh. With the world’s highest tiger density, it is also one of the best places to spot the elusive and endangered big cat. NOW READ: Madhya Pradesh Tourism: Best Winter Holiday Destinations in MP for 2017
At the top of the Bandhavgarh hillock is a namesake fort that has its own rich history. The fort’s origins are not known, but it is around 2,000 years old and is said to have been built during the era of the Gond Empire. It was under the state of Rewa until falling to the Mughals in 1597. Today, you can spot tigers, deer, falcons, Malabar pied hornbill, vultures and other species throughout the tour of the fort.