Tucked away in the shadows of the Aravalli Hills, the Sariska Tiger Reserve & National Park is an assortment of semi-deciduous jungle, rugged canyons, wild forest streams and lush greenery. Apart from being a former hunting ground for the royal family of Rajasthan, the forest houses the Kankwari Fort, where Aurangzeb reportedly held his brother Dara Shikoh, captive.
Located in Alwar, Sariska is one of the most visited national parks in the country which is famous for the Royal Bengal tiger. While it is rare to spot a tiger in Sariska, the reserve, spread over 866 sq. km. (including a core area of 498 sq. km.), is home to leopards, peacocks, monkeys, sambars, nilgai, chital, wild boars and jackals.
State: Rajasthan
Destination Type: Jungle
Destinations Nearby: Jaipur 7 km, Agra 24 km, New Delhi 267 km.
Languages: Hindi, English and Rajasthani
Nearest Railway Station: Alwar Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Jaipur
Summer: April to June. Temperature ranges between 32°C and 46°C.
Monsoon: July to September. Expect sporadic rainfall.
Winter: November to February. Pleasant weather with temperature ranging from 5°C to 28°C.
The jungles of Sariska, though a tiger reserve, are home to a variety of beasts, birds, plants and trees. You can spot numerous birds, rare ones too, as well as wild animals - big and small - in the jungle safari.
At Bhangarh Fort, watch the tale of a princess and the curse of a magician come to life. It is believed that the fort is still haunted.
The Kalakand of Alwar should be on everyone's must-try list. It is a popular milk sweet from the region.
Mythology says that the Pandavas lived in Sariska during their exile. There is a story about Bhima's encounter with Hanuman.
The remote Kankwari Fort located in the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve is where the Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh was once held captive.
Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri is a memorial to Maharani Moosi's undying love for King Bakhtawar. A must-visit for those who appreciate the beauty of Rajput architecture.
It is a cluster of 300 Hindu and Jain Temples that speak volumes about Indian architecture.