The largest national park of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park also happens to be a popular one in North India. This used to be the hunting grounds of maharajas, in the erstwhile era. Along with its neighboring sanctuaries (Mansingh and Kaila Devi), Ranthambore National park covers an area of 392 km sq. It is mainly popular for its population of tigers. The park is nestled upon an edge of a plateau, and is bounded by two rivers (Banas and Chambal). Government of India declared the area a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973, and in 1980 it was declared a national park.
The popular Ranthambore Fort is located inside the park. This is where maharajas relaxed after the hunting session in the jungle. The fort has been regarded as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ancient temple, mosque, hunting pavilions, crocodile lakes are found around the fort. The park is open between October to June and is considered to be the best place to spot tigers in Rajasthan. Other than tigers, leopards, nilgai, sloth bear, sambal and several other wild animals and birds call the vicinity their home. About 300 species of birds are found chirping and sitting on the branches.
