Hello Friends, I am back again with some more enchanting
experiences in the land of Rajasthan. This time my interest was inclined
towards the wildlife treasures of India. In my this trip to Rajasthan, I
visited many national parks and sanctuaries of Rajasthan, but due to page
restriction I had covered only few.

Before
coming over to Rajasthan, I covered the upper parts of North India as well
as North-East. There I got the opportunity to visit the Kaziranga National
Park in Assam and Jim Corbett National Park in Uttranchal. After enthralling
experiences with the great Indian one- horned and other wild lives, now it
was the time to sojourn to the most exotic wildlife population of Rajasthan.
In my itinerary I covered Ranthambore, Sariska and Bharaatpur national
parks.
My first destination was Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, I preferred a road
journey, as the park lies at the Delhi - Jaipur highway road. Early morning,
I took a tourist coach from Delhi, after almost 3-hour drive I reached
Bharatpur Wildlife Park - one of the largest in whole Asia.
The guide at the park updated me that Bharatpur was once the shooting
reserve of royal family during the past time but now it has been converted
into a national park - more famous for its migratory bird population. I was
quite surprised at the mode of transport available inside the park- only man
driven rickshaws are allowed and no other vehicle.
The reserve abode almost 353 species of bird that breed within the park. I
was lucky to sight the enchanting Siberian Cranes- who visits this place
every year in the month of October, traveling thousands and thousands of
miles. Along with Sabarian Cranes, I also got the glimpse of the rare red
wattle, egrets, gray herons, cranes and rosy headed pelican along the water
bodies. I strongly feel that Bharatpur is the most ideal location for bird
sighting - a great hobby that requires immense patience and the skill of
maintaining the perfect distance from the birds, so they may not flew away.
My next destination was Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary. I checked in at the
forest lodge - quite a comfortable one with the provision of hot and cold
water. I had a hot bath and enjoyed a good lunch, there after I took an
elephant safari to explore the reserves of the wild.
From the brochures I came to know that, besides its Tiger population
Sariska is also home to numerous carnivores including Leopard, Hyena and
Jackal. While my royal ride continued, I rendezvous with many small and big
animal species like- Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, and Langur. It was really
exciting to watch the activities of Rhesus Monkeys that are found in large
numbers around Talvriksh. While my way back, I was lucky enough to sight at
least one tiger maintaining its all-royal dignity.
After having fabulous experiences of Sariska and Bharatpur wilds, I moved
towards Ranthambore National Park. My only aim here was to sight the great
Indian Tiger, therefore headed towards it with an optimistic attitude.
Sawai-Madhopur is a small town near the park, where I preferred to stay for
the night.
Jungle authorities told me, here the chances of sighting a tiger is much
more then anywhere else, as the park houses almost 25 tiger population and
40 leopard population. They informed me further that the park is included
under the Project Tiger Reserves and is best known for its tiger population.
Here I opted for jeep safari due to its dense jungle and elevated trees. I
had a prior booking for the jeep safari from Delhi itself, to be on the
safer side ( some times the Jeeps are not available for sight seeing).
My jeep driver could understand my excitement for the tiger, and he took me
to the interiors as well as amidst the dense jungles where there were much
possibilities of tracing this elusive beast. After hunting for almost an
hour ultimately, there was a fabulous treat awaiting for my weary eyes- a
cluster of 5 tigers, yes they were 5 in numbers, some were resting under the
cool shade while others were playing and flapping the flies from their
tales. I was absolutely wonder struck at the sight of this magnificent
beast- a giant creature almost 8 to 10 feet in length adorned with vertical
black strips. It was the most thrilling moment.

I
was not knowing that there is another surprise waiting for me in the
reserve, as we were coming back, I saw the tigers in the group of two near
the Padam Talab (Lake) - one was quenching its thirst from the water while
other was enjoying the shallow bath.
These are the moments I will always remember in my life, I could really say
my trip to the wilds of Rajasthan was worth a visit. I could also capture
some of these rare moments through my video-cam. I also enjoyed the watching
of the great Indian gazelle, Sambar, Nilgai (blue-bull), Chital.
Besides tiger and other wild creatures, Ranthambore hold another charm of
the fort. I also visited Ranthambore Fort and Jogi Mahal dating back to the
10th century. I came to know through brochures that the fort is the oldest
prevailing fort in Rajasthan and the Jogi Mahal that, been converted into
Forest Rest House. I was absolutely thrilled to see the second largest
Banyan tree inside the fort, It was a huge tree with a vast trunk, I could
see its roots falling from its branches down the ground telling about its
age.
Experiencing the great wilds of Rajasthan was a unique allure, I came back
to my forest loge with some sumptuous reminiscence of tiger, migratory birds
and forts, to be treasured throughout our life.