Located 107 kms from Jaipur, the Sariska National Park is in a wooden valley, surrounded by barren mountains. The dry deciduous forests of the ancient Aravalli range cover the area of the Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve.

The forest type is dry deciduous, represented by dhok (Anogeissus pendula), khair (Acacia catechu), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) and ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana). It remains lush green during the monsoon period and dry in summer.

Today the tiger population in Sariska is around 25 (as per government census of 1995). That's not much, but it's also not bad considering the fact that tiger population is shrinking everywhere. The best time to spot tigers is in summer, when they move to waterholes and there's not much foliage to camouflage their stripes. In Sariska, these waterholes have been constructed by the Forest Department quite near the roads on which tourist vehicles ply. Animals have got so used to prying human eyes that they sometimes completely ignore human presence (not that their attention is desired!). Sometimes tigers can be sighted even lounging around the roads.

The other cats living here are panthers, jungle cat, caracals (a reddish-brown wildcat with black tipped ears) and the rusty spotted cat. Nilgai (large Indian antelope; blue bull), cheetal (spotted deer), sambar (large Asiatic deer), wild boars, chinkara (Indian gazelle), jackal, chowsingha (four-horned antelopes), ratel (honey badgers) and porcupine are easily spotted. Hundreds of peafowl congregate everyday by the waterhole called the Kalighati. The other one is the Salupka waterhole, which is the clubhouse of nilgai. Chowsinghas gather around the Pandu Pol Nallah. But, of course, patience is the keyword.

Another attraction within the park is the crocodile inhabited Siliserh Lake on the edge of this tiger reserve (see Siliserh for more). Sariska is also famous for its population of langur (any of the genus Presbytis) and rhesus monkeys. Talvriksh, a grove of Arjun trees, is the hub of these monkeys and you can see hundreds of them at a time. But don't irritate them, for then you'll be inviting real trouble.

The Park has a rich and colourful birdlife too. This includes the grey partridge, quail, sandgrouse (a pigeon-like bird), golden-backed woodpecker, Great Indian horned owl and white-breasted kingfisher. Come evening, and they call out in unison, making a terrible bedlam.

The open dry deciduous forest of Sariska with its rich population of wildlife is a marvel of ecological adaptation and tolerance. The most favourable time to visit the park is between November and March, but if you can take the heat be here in April-May which is the best time to sight wild animals (in search of water).


OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Magnificent ruins peppered around the neighbourhood of Sariska add to the region's fascination. The Neelkanth (Shiva) temples (6th-13th century AD) are just 32-kms from the Park and the ancient Kankwari Fort inside the Reserve, is where Emperor Aurangzeb once held his brother Dara Shikoh captive. A beautiful palace complex built in 1902 now converted into a hotel is a major attraction as well as a good option for luzurious stay among the wilds.

Tour Packages of Sariska Wildlife Sanctaury

Lodges and Resorts in Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary