- Country: India
- State: Rajasthan
- Ideal Trip Duration: 2- 3 days
- Nearest City: Alwar
- Best Time to Visit: October to June
- Peak Season: December and January
Are you a wildlife enthusiast? If yes, then Sariska Tiger Reserve will be one of the rightest choices for you. This reserve is a place where you can find a perfect combination of nature.
You can visit this tiger reserve in the city of Alwar in Rajasthan. As you know, Rajasthan is the largest state in India, adorned with historical palaces, forts, culture, architecture, fairs, festivals, deserts, and more.
The state of Rajasthan is known as the Land of Maharajas because of the royal history they hold.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary, is a charm with mountains, grasslands, cliffs, and dry deciduous forests.
The reserve is spread throughout 800 sq. km, and the core area is about 500 sq. km.
Sariska Tiger Reserve is settled on the lap of Aravali hills in Alwar. It is 107 km away from the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. So the distance between this Tiger Reserve and Delhi is just 200 km.
It was stated as a sanctuary in 1955; in 1978, it was given the status of Tiger Reserve as a part of the Project Tiger in India. Later in 1990, it became a National Park.
When you enter the premises of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, you can find the ruins of medieval temples that belong to the 10th and 11th centuries.
This sanctuary or the reserve is home to many species of flora and fauna. As the name says Sariska Tiger Reserve, yes, there are many tigers here.
You can spot other animals: Leopard, Wild Dog, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Sambar Deer, Chital, Nilgai, Indian Civet, Wild Boar, Langur, and more.
When it comes to birdlife, Sariska Tiger Reserve is recorded with more than 200 species of birds.
You can hear the lovely bird calls and see some of the birds like Golden Backed Wood-Pecker, Grey Partridge, Peafowl, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse Tree Pie, Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Indian Horned Owl, and more. This national park is also prominent for the Rhesus Monkeys.
The major attraction for tourists here is the Jeep Safari at Sariska Tiger Reserve. I know it sounds interesting and adventurous.
On your safari to the forest, you can spot many animals and can see their daily life. The majestic tigers are surely a classic sight to watch on the safari.
En route, you can visit the Kankwadi Fort. Tourists can only visit this fort by jeep safari. There is no other method to reach this fort.
Bird watchers would love this national park as several migratory birds come from Europe, Central Asia, and many other regions in the world.
Inside the Sariska National Park, there is a temple devoted to Lord Shiva and is known as Neelkanth Temple.
The temple was built in the 6th century. It has a great collection of erotic statues similar to the sculptures in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh.
Another temple, also located inside the temple sites, is known as Pandupol Hanuman Temple. You can see a picturesque waterfall amidst the temple.
Many tourists visit this temple to have a peaceful time and to relax next to the scenic waterfall. Thus, Sariska Tiger Reserve not only has animals and birds but is also famous for its natural locations and mesmeric architecture.
The history of the Sariska Tiger Reserve dates back to the Maharajas of Alwar. The Sariska Palace was the royal hunting lodge of the legendary Maharaja Jai Singh.
This reserve was a part of the ancient Matsya Kingdom and have sheltered Pandavas when they were banished.
It is also believed that Bhima made a passage through a gorge in the sanctuary by sharply striking the rock face cliff with his Gada (cudgel).
This story has been mentioned in the Hindu epic, “The Mahabharata.”
Some interesting facts about Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Dara Shiko, brother of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, was imprisoned in the Kankwadi Fort to fight for the succession of the throne.
- A famous temple of Lord Hanuman is situated at Pandupol, which is linked to Pandavas.
- Siliserh Lake can be found near Sariska Resort, where the tourists can enjoy boating and see many migratory birds.
The Sariska Tiger Reserve is open from 0600 am till 0900 pm. There is an entry fee for everyone who visits the national park. Following is the rate for the entrance fee:
- Indians – Rs. 105
- Foreigners – Rs. 570
- Students – Rs. 20
- Gypsy Safari – Rs.2100(for 6 pax)
- Canter – Rs. 5000(for 20 pax)
- Guide Fee – Rs. 300
You can bring your private vehicle to the national park only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and the entry fee for the Private Bus is Rs.400, Jeep/Car/Mini Bus is Rs. 250.
The best time to visit the Sariska Tiger Reserve is in the morning and evening.
There are two slots for safari, and the first slot starts from 6.00 am to 9.00 am. The second slot starts at 3.00 pm and ends at 6.00 pm.
Please note: the safari timings may change according to the seasons. The national park is usually closed during monsoons as it will not be the perfect weather to see the animals around.
But during monsoons, it is open for the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays for those who wish to visit the Pandupol Hanuman Temple.
How to Reach
By Road: There are regular buses from Alwar bus station to Sariska Tiger Reserve.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport. It is 112 km away from the park.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is the Alwar Station, about 40km from the Sariska Tiger Reserve. There is also a small railway station called Rajgarh Railway Station, about 25 to 30 km from the national park.
Best Places to Visit / Other Tourist Attractions
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Vijay Mandir Palace
This palace was the royal residency of Maharaja Jai Singh, and the magnificent structure of the mansion attracts many tourists.
There is a lake near the castle, and you can see the reflection of the palace in the water. Vijay Mandir Palace is at a distance of about 49 km from Sariska Tiger Reserve.
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Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri
One of the hallmarks of Royal Rajasthani Architectures is the monuments.
In the Alwar district, Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri is one such memorial built by Vinay Singh in the memory of the ruler of Alwar, Maharaja Bakhtawar, and his queen Rani Moosi.
The queen committed Sati to her husband’s pyre. You can find the tombs of both the king and queen in Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri. A one-hour drive from Sariska can take you to this place.
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The Palace Museum/Alwar Museum
This museum, also known as Government Museum, has a collection of artifacts from the Royal family’s assets.
What you can see in this museum are 234 sculptures, 11 inscriptions, 9702 coins, 35 metal objects, 2565 paintings & manuscripts, 2270 arms & weapons. Moreover, 1809 pieces of local art, crafts, and musical instruments are also involved.
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Sarafa Bazaar
I am sure you will be looking for Rajasthani pieces of jewelry when you visit this beautiful state. Sarafa Bazaar is the best choice for you to buy different kinds of jewelry, including diamond, semi-precious stones, and precious stones.
You can also find apparel here in this market in Alwar. The features and quality of the items are exceptionally good, and you can buy them at reasonable rates.
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Biodiversity Park
Located in Mohalla Ladiya, Alwar, this park is famous among tourists who love to enjoy family picnics or savor the fresh mountain breeze for a while.
The major attraction here is the gigantic hill ranges and lush green canopy.
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Fateh Jung Gumbad
This is a tomb of five stories built in the 18th century by Shahjahan in the memory of a worker in his court named Fateh Jung.
There are many intricate carvings and tall minarets, making this tomb remarkably unique and beautiful in its way.
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Bhangarh Fort
This fort is believed to be the ghostliest place in India. It is situated at a distance of about 25 – 30km from the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
The fort was built in the 17th century in Alwar by Man Singh I for his grandson Madho Singh I.
En route to Sariska Tiger Reserve, you can spot the Bala Quila, about 44 km away from the park. Bala Quila is a fort built in the 15h century by Hassan Khan Mewati in the Aravali Range.
It is also known by the name Alwar Fort, and it has been under the rile of Yadavas, Marathas, and the Kachwaha Rajputs.
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Kesroli
It takes about one and half hours from Sariska to reach Kesroli, a small village in Alwar. You can visit the Hill Fort of Kesroli and the Buddhist Vihara at Biratnagar here.
With lush green landscape around, this small village called Kesroli is famous among the tourists.
There are many more forts and palaces you can see in Rajasthan. Plan for a few days’ trips to see many unique and historical places like Amber Fort, Pink City, Hawa Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, and many more.
Moreover, you can enjoy the nightlife in the capital city of Rajasthan, shop for traditional accessories and apparel, eat delicious Rajasthan cuisines, etc.
Never miss visiting the golden sandy deserts of Rajasthan. The Great Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert, is one of the major tourist attractions in this state.
Additional Info
- STD Code: 0144
- Languages Spoken: Hindi, Rajasthani, English
- Major Festivals: Alwar Festival, Sawan Teej, Matsya Utsav, Jagantha Fair, and more.
- Nearest Tourist Information Center: Contact – 0144-2347348
- Nearest Hospital: Darshan Hospital | Contact – 094140 17508
- Nearest Police Station: Police Station Thanagazi| Contact – 01465 224 227
Also Read: Famous Places to Visit in Rajasthan – The abode of Kings
