Page 245 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

M ADH Y A PR ADESH & CHHA T TISGARH  243

8 Bandhavgarh National Park VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

One of India’s most important Tiger Reserves, the Practical Information
Bandhavgarh National Park sprawls across an area Shahdol district. 237 km
of 625 sq km (241 sq miles). Apart from some 50 (147 miles) SE of Khajuraho.
Tel (07627) 265 406.
tigers, the park’s wildlife includes 250 species of birds, n White Tiger Forest Lodge, Tala
leopards, deer, jungle cats and packs of dhole (Indian (MP Tourism). Open Oct–Jun. &
wild dog). Great rocky hills, lush deciduous forests, Extra charges for photography.
8  Jeep safaris available.
marshes and meadows make Bandhavgarh one of
India’s most scenic areas. A picturesque hilltop fort Transport
£ Umaria, 33 km (21 miles) SW
with fine sculptures is part of the park’s attractions.
of Tala, the main entry point. @
Sheshasaya Statue
A 11-m (36-ft) long
statue of the reclining
Vishnu, guarded by a
seven-headed snake, is
at the base of the fort.

Jabalpur The Fort
Satna, Panna,
Khajuraho Manpur The ramparts of
Bandhavgarh’s fort,
Charan Ganga whose foundations
Tala date back to the 1st
century AD, are
Khatauli a good place for
J bird-watching.
Dorka
Parasi Hardia
Gohni
Umaria

Kamarwa
Johilla

Crested
Serpent Eagle
This large eagle
preys on snakes
Dhole and lizards.
The Indian wild dog has a
distinctive whistling call, to
assemble the pack. It has a
red coat, large upright ears
and a bushy tail. The White Tiger of Rewa
In 1951, the maharaja of Rewa captured
a white tiger in these forests. Named Mohan,
0 kilometres 5 he was mated in captivity with several
0 miles 5 tigresses, and all the white tigers in zoos
across the world today are Mohan’s
descendants. A pair can be seen at Bhopal’s
Van Vihar National Park (see p245). Since
Key 1951, no other white tiger has been seen in
the Bandhavgarh region. The white tiger is The white tiger, very rare
Park boundary
an “evolutionary colour aberration” and not in the wild
Major road an albino, nor a separate sub-species.
Minor road
For keys to symbols see back flap

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