CENTRAL INDIA
Central India
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Nestled in the Vindhya hills,
Bandhavgarh was the erstwhile
hunting ground of the royal
family of Rewa before it
acquired the status of a National
Park in 1968 and a Tiger Reserve
in 1993. It is said to have the
densest population of the big cat
in India. In fact, it was here that
the rare and majestic white tiger
was first captured in 1951, by
Maharaja Martand Singh.
The most famous landmark in
Bandhavgarh are the ruins of the
ancient Bandhavgarh Fort. These
sal and bamboo forests also
shelter ruins of ancient temples
and caves, as well as kunds or
At a glance
District: Umaria
Nearest Airport: Jabalpur
(164 kms)
Nearest Railhead: Umaria
(32 kms), Katni (102 kms)
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Best time to visit: Oct-June
Timings: 6.30am to 11am,
2.30pm to 5.30pm
Closed from: July-Sept
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Entry fee: Rs 2,000 (Indians);
Rs 4,000 (foreigners)
Jeep Safari charges (incl entry fee,
guide charges, jeep charges):
Tala zone: Rs 6,000
Magadhi and Khitauli zone:
Rs 5,000
tanks that feed the perennial
stream Charanganga, the lifeline
of the park. Kabir, the medieval
poet and saint, is said to have
meditated in one of these caves.
The park has three safari zones:
Tala Zone (Gate-1), Magdhi Zone
(Gate-2), Khitauli Zone (Gate-3), each
with its own distinct character.
Popular spots within the park,
with greater chances of tiger
sightings, include Bari Gufa,
Gopalpur Waterhole, Mahavan
Talab, Sukha Dam, Sita Mandap,
Akla Pahari and Ghora Demon.
ABOVE: Herd of cheetal
BELOW: Purple sunbird
Guide fee: Rs 200
Elephant Safari: Rs 700 per
person per hour (Indians)
Camera fee: Rs 25
Video fee: Rs 200
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Major fauna: Tiger, chausingha,
leopard, niilgai, spotted deer,
wild boar
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Where to stay: Options for
both high-end and budget
accommodation, private and
government, are available in and
around the park
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