Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
General Information
| State: | Rajasthan |  |
| Area: | 37-kms from Alwar, Rajasthan | |
| Core Area | 765.80-sq-kms | |
| Altitude | 400 - 1200 meter above the sea level | |
| Maximum Temperature | 18.00°C | |
| Languages | English, Hindi | |
| Best Time to Visit | February to May | |
| Main Wildlife | Tigers, Leopards, Wild Dogs |
Sariska National Park is located at a distance of 107 Kms from Jaipur nestled in a wooden valley covered with dhok trees accommodating almost all varieties of wildlife species. More than 90% of the sanctuary’s area is covered by dry deciduous forest mostly comprised of ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana), khair (Acacia catechu), dhok (Anogeissus pendula), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) etc. However, the whole area of Sariska is divided into the rocky landscape, grasslands, sheer cliffs and deciduous forest. Besides the Tiger Reserve Project, the Sariska National Park is also famous for other wildlife animals like leopard, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wildlife boar, rhesus macaque, langur, hyena and jungle cats.
History of Sariska National Park
The historical background of Sariska National Park can be dated back to 9th and 10th centuries when the park had several archeological sites like Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and Garh Rajor temples and the Kankwadi fort. During the medieval period, it was in this Kankwadi fort where Arangzeb imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh when the war of Mughal succession was on its peak. Not only this, it also severed as the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Alwar where the royal hunting lodge in the name of Sariska Palace is the living example of its historical importance. The area of Sariska was declared as a wildlife reserve in 1955 during the Prime Ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru and it was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978 as a part of India’s Project Tiger Scheme.
Attractions of Sariska National Park
Tourists especially the animal lovers attracted to this Sariska Park of Rajasthan for not only to see the tigers but also to view the various varieties of bird species like Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden Backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl.
The Kankwadi Fort
This is the historical fort of medieval period of Indian history where his brother Emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned Dara Shikoh during the period of war of succession of the Mughal Empire.
The Ancient Shiva Temples
Sariska National Park is not only famous for wildlife tourism but also for spiritual tourism where the Neelkanth Temple of 6th-13th century AD is providing the solace to the tourists.
The Sariska Palace
This was the hunting lodge of the Maharajas of Alwar, which is now converted into the palace hotel standing amidst the Sariska wildlife sanctuary.
Jeep Safari of Sariska National Park
The jeep safari is one of the best ways to explore the animals of the sanctuary and to see them in their natural condition where the tourists have an opportunity for wildlife viewing and wildlife photography. The authority of Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary manages the Jeep Safari Tour.
How to Reach Sariska National Park
Air: The nearest airport from Sariska National Park is at Jaipur.
Rail: The nearest railhead is at Alwar at a distance of 37-kms.
Road: Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the Delhi-Jaipur highway near Jaipur and Delhi. Sariska is also well connected with Alwar.
