History of Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh has been flourished through various significant historical legends most of which have been learnt from the legends of Ramayana. Interestingly, Bandhavgarh is a legendary place that has many historical importances. One can learn through the ancient books of the Narad Panch Ratra and the Shiv Purana that this place is being associated with Ramayana. The word Bandhavgarh is a combination of two words: Bandhav+ Garh where Bandhav means brother and Garh means Fort. So the meaning of Bandhavgarh is brother’s fort. The name Bandhavgarh given to the reserve is due to the presence of an ancient fort in the hillock of the Vindhya ranges of Umaria. It has been believed that Lord Rama gifted this amazing fort to his younger brother Lakshmana. The Bandhavgarh fort is scripted with many convincing evidences of human activities and architectural techniques and interestingly, the legend explains that the ruined fort was being reconstructed by two monkeys who built a bridge between Lanka and the mainland. The fort also lets you explore several man made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings.

The Bandhavgarh Fort is a great masterpiece of “Treta Yuga” (one of the ages of mankind in Hinduism) that has been discovered to be the most ancient masterpiece dating before the Christ period through the archeological surveys.
The tourists hitting to Bandhargarh National Park makes a must visit to the fort to find the written proofs of the Bharihas and Vakatak dynasties who ruled over the land in and around the Bandhavgarh region. This region also unveils the history to find the major dynasties that ruled the Bandhavgarh regions including Sengars, the Kalchuris and the Baghels. Out of all the Baghels were believed to rule the regions for the longer period.

During their rule, the Baghels decided to shift their capital to Rewa as they were extending themselves and the Bandhavgarh region came to the corner of the kingdom bringing difficulty in reaching there and thus the location was converted earlier into a deserted land due to the presence of thick forest and then into the habitat of the wild beasts (the tigers). Simultaneously, Bandhavgarh was also declared a game reserve where only the royal families were allowed for hunting these wild creatures. The kings of Rewa killed at least 109 tigers due to the increasing terror of the tiger attacks and in the series of showing the chivalry Raja Gulab Singh Baghel shoot down 83 tigers in a single year to pursuit the magical figure of 109 tigers.

No wonder this place has been the hunting point for the Maharajas of Rewa and the entire place was their private property but later they handed over the land to the state government and in 1968, this royal place was being declared as the national park.
This amazing forest beholds the great population of tiger species even now and so today Bandhavgarh is being considered as the tiger reserve. When the park was established the cases of poaching were increased to greater extents and the density of the animal population began to deteriorate and so several measures were taken to improve the living conditions of the wild animals in Bandhavgarh National Park. Small dams were also constructed to solve the water crisis where the animals got some kinds of shelter and relief. Also, the villages were relocated within the boundaries of the park and strong vigil took place at the buffer as well as core area for the wildlife protection.

In this way, the majestic journey of the Bandhavgarh National Park took place and declared a tiger reserve in 1993 under the project tiger network at the neighboring Panpatha Sanctuary.

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Wild Animals in Bandhavgarh

Wildlife lovers find Bandhavgarh to be an exceptional and interesting destination, providing a chance to observe some of India's most distinguished and endangered creatures in their natural surroundings. It is renowned for its abundant Royal Bengal tiger population. Bandhavgarh National Park is also home to Asiatic Elephants, Indian Wild Boars, Sloth Bears, Sambar Deer, Nilgai, Jackals, foxes and many more other wildlife. This park features a range of avian species, including vultures, eagles, and a variety of migratory birds that come to the park during the colder months.

Flora in Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh National Park, situated in the middle Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for its substantial and varied vegetation. It is home to both deciduous and tropical forests, where trees like sal, teak, and bamboo are present in great numbers. Moreover, the forests are also populated by a variety of flowering plants, such as the Indian lotus with its gorgeous petals and the bright red hibiscus.

Jeep Safari in Bandhavgarh

Exploring Bandhavgarh National Park with a Jeep safari is an exciting and immersive way to see all of the wildlife and scenery the park has to offer. Guests will be driven around the park in an open-top jeep accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who is able to point out and explain the different animals and plants in the area. Jeep safaris are commonly conducted in the morning and afternoon.

Best Time to Visit Bandhavgarh

Most Indian national parks, including Bandhavgarh, are typically closed from July 1st to October 15th due to the monsoon season. The best time to visit the park is from November to March when the scenery is picturesque, the bird population is abundant, and temperatures are in the mid-20°C range. Nonetheless, December and January can be quite chilly in the early hours. April to May is the ideal time to spot tigers since there is little vegetation and the animals have to gather around the few remaining waterholes to drink.

Bandhavgarh Tour Packages

Book one of our specially crafted Bandhavgarh tour packages to explore India’s one
of the greatest national parks and visit its wonderful tourist spots.

5 Nights / 6 Days

Wildlife Tour
Bandhavgarh

4 Nights / 5 Days

Weekend Tour to Bandhavgarh

20 Nights / 21Days

A Safari through Indian
Wilderness

9 Nights / 10 Days

Bandhavgarh Photographic
safari Tour

14 Nights / 15 Days

The Tiger Corridors
of Central India

9 Nights / 10 Days

Inheritance of Madhya
Pradesh with its Wildlife

9 Nights / 10 Days

Taj Mahal Tour
With Tiger

7 Nights / 8 Days

Tiger Special Tour

10 Nights / 11 Days

Meeting wih Indian Tiger

13 Nights / 14 Days

Tiger Photography Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long has Bandhavgarh been a national park?

Bandhavgarh was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1968, and it was upgraded to a national park and a tiger reserve in 1993.

Q. When was Bandhavgarh included in Project Tiger?

Bandhavgarh was included in Project Tiger, a conservation program launched by the Indian government to protect and increase the population of tigers in the country, in 2002.

Q.Why was Bandhavgarh established as a national park?

Bandhavgarh was established as a national park to protect its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, as well as to support the conservation of endangered species such as the Bengal tiger.

Q.What activities are available for visitors in Bandhavgarh National Park?

Visitors to Bandhavgarh National Park can participate in activities such as jeep safaris, and birdwatching, as well as visit cultural and historical sites within the park. There is also a range of accommodation options available, from luxury resorts to basic campsites.

History of Bandhavgarh