Sariska National Park India

Sariska National Park is a well-known tiger reserve located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India. The tiger reserve spreads across an area of about 881 sq. km. It features a mix of scrub forests, dry deciduous trees, open grasslands, and rocky hills. Earlier, this region served as a royal hunting ground for the Alwar rulers. In 1958, Sariska was marked as a wildlife sanctuary. At present, Sariska stands as a protected national park known for its natural beauty and wildlife diversity. The reserve lies within the Aravalli hills and offers a scenic landscape of mountains, cliffs, and forests. Nature blends perfectly here, creating a peaceful environment for both animals and visitors.

A wildlife safari is the main attraction at Sariska Tiger Reserve. Sariska is home to many wild animals apart from tigers, and it also supports rich birdlife. During the jeep and canter safaris, visitors can watch animals in their natural habitat. Tiger sightings remain the highlight for most tourists. The safari route also covers Kankwadi Fort, a historic site that can only be reached by safari vehicles. Sariska National Park offers a complete wildlife experience. It combines adventure, history, and nature in one destination.

Jeep Safari : Jeeps in the Sariska Tiger Reserve can accommodate up to 6 people. The price of a jeep safari is higher than a canter safari. The safari charges also vary between Indian and foreign tourists. Jeep safaris are conducted in the morning and evening slots. The timings of the Sariska jeep safari remain fixed as determined by the forest department. The timings are changed slightly with the shift in seasons. Online booking is strongly recommended for the Sariska jeep safari in advance.

Canter Safari : Canters in Sariska Tiger Reserve can accommodate up to 20 people. The price of a canter is less than compared of the jeep safari. Foreigners are charged more than Indian tourists. Sariska canter safaris are conducted on morning and evening shifts and are allowed to enter both the Sariska Gate and the Tehla Gate of the tiger reserve. Sariska online canter safari booking is strongly recommended as they are in high demand during the peak tourist season. The safari timings vary slightly with seasonal changes. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the safari timing and complete the formalities at the entry gate.

Flora - Sariska’s vegetation is mainly made up of northern tropical dry deciduous forests along with northern tropical thorn forests. The most common tree here is Anogeissus pendula, which covers more than 40% of the forest area. In rocky zones, trees like Boswellia serrata and Lannea coromandelica are often seen. Valleys are dominated by Acacia catechu and bamboo. Some valleys also support trees such as Butea monosperma and Zizyphus mauritiana. Dendrocalamus strictus has a very limited presence and grows mostly near well-drained stream beds and in cooler, moist hill areas.

Fauna - The Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to a wide variety of wild mammals. As its name suggests, the main predator in this reserve is the Tiger. Visitors may spot jungle cats, sambhar, chital, wild boar, and rhesus macaques. Bird watching is another popular activity here. The tiger reserve shelters more than 220 bird species. Many migratory birds visit Sariska from Europe, Central Asia, and nearby regions, especially during winter. Birds like sand grouse, harpy quail, and crested serpent eagles are commonly seen.

Sariska Routes-
Zone 1 : Sariska Gate - Ghanka Tirya - Tarunda - Brahmanath - Kalighati - Pandupol - Sariska.

Zone 2 : Sariska gate - Bharthari tibara - Karnakabas - Jalebi chowk - Alguaal - Naya pani - Geru ka tirya - Kalighati - Pandupole - Sariska.

Zone 3 : Sariska gate - Kalighati - Kabri gate - Kankwari - Neelkanth Mahadev - Tehla - Sariska.

Tehla Routes-
Zone 4 : Tehla gate - Chamari ka bera - Kalighati - Pandupole - Tehla

Zone 5 : Tehla-Kabri Gate-Kankwari Gate - Nilkanth Mahadev - Dabkan -Tehla

Bala Quila Fort - Exploring Bala Quila Fort feels like stepping into Rajasthan’s past. The hilltop fort overlooks Alwar city and was built around 1200 CE. It later came under the Mughals, Marathas, and Jats. The fort has strong walls, tall gates, towers, palaces, temples, and water tanks. Its marble pillars and balconies still reflect royal life. The fort remains largely unchanged and full of history.

Alwar Museum - Alwar Museum was set up in 1940 and houses a rich collection of historical items. Visitors can see old weapons, armour, rare manuscripts, and paintings from the Mughal and Rajasthani schools. The museum also displays sculptures, inscriptions, textiles, wooden and stone objects, ivory items, musical instruments, and preserved birds and animals.

Siliserh Lake Palace - In 1845, Maharaja Vinay Singh of Alwar built an embankment on a tributary of the Ruparel River to create this artificial lake, mainly to supply water to the city of Alwar. Near the lake, the Maharaja also constructed a palace in memory of his queen, Shila Devi, a princess of Bharatpur. Once used as a royal hunting lodge, the palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel. It still carries the charm of its royal past, with elegant architecture and beautiful views from its balconies. A calm boat ride on Siliserh Lake adds to the peaceful experience of this historic place.

Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri - This is a cenotaph built to honour Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh and his queen, Rani Moosi. It shows a fine blend of Indo-Islamic architecture. The upper part has marble pavilions with columns and domed arches, while the lower part is supported by red sandstone pillars. The ceiling is decorated with paintings and sculptures showing mythological stories and royal court scenes.

Bhangarh Fort - Set among the green Aravalli hills, Bhangarh Fort stands near Sariska, between Jaipur and Alwar. Built in the 17th century by Raja Madho Singh, it once housed thousands of people. The fort had strong walls, grand gates, temples, palaces, havelis, and busy markets. Today, it is known to be one of the most haunted places in India. Its calm ruins, rich history, and haunting legends draw many visitors despite its deserted state.

Ranthambore National Park - Located in the Sawai Madhopur district, Ranthambore National Park is another iconic wildlife safari destination in Rajasthan. The national park is popular for the tiger population. Jeep and canter safaris are conducted here for tourists to explore the rich wildlife and the wonderful Ranthambore Fort.