Sariska National Park

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The Sariska National Park is situated near Alwar in the state of Rajasthan. Sariska National park due to its proximity to metro cities, is one of the most visited national parks in India. Sariska Park covers near about 800 square kilometers of which 480 square kilometers comprise of the core area of the national park. According to the history of many other national parks of India, Sariska National Park was the hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Alwar.

The Sariska National park was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1958. It was undertaken under the Project Tiger in the year 1979. Sariska National Park is among the very few parks which is open thought-out the year. The main reason for the national park being kept open round the year is due to the presence of the religious monuments inside the park boundaries. These religious and historical monuments are the reminder of its glorious past.

Sariska National Park has the distinction of having a quite few tigers and other interesting flora and fauna. The Sariska Park is specially known for its Tigers. The latest census of the national park indicates that there are near about 35 tigers at the Sariska. The other wildlife of the Sariska National Park includes the Chital, Four horned Antelope, Fox, Civet, Jungle Cat, Gaur, Jackal, Hyena, Nilgai, Panther, Hare, Porcupine, Sambhar and wild Boar. Birds that are found in the sariska national park are the crested Serpent Eagles, Grey partridges, Golden Backed Woodpeckers, horned owls, peafowl, sand grouses, golden backed woodpeckers, tree pies, vultures, and white breasted kingfishers. For the last ten years, caracals are also been spotted here.

The hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hills range from the topography of Sariska. The vegetation of Sariska National Park includes Dry Deciduous Forests, Scrub Thorn Arid forests, grasses, and Rocks. The wide variety of the wildlife of Sariska National Park is a fine example of the ecological adoption and tolerance. Many water holes of the national park are the most frequently visited places by the wild inhabitants of the park. A 'hide' can be booked to watch and to have the photograph of these animals in their natural environment. However, some times these hides overlook the various water holes of Sariska.

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in its history as well. The ruins of the medieval Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are found within the National park. The ruins of the 10th century AD temple Garh-Rajor are scattered all over the forest of the Sariska. You can have the panoramic view of the birds of Sariska National Park in flight from the 17th century AD castle set on a sharp hilltop at the Kanakwari. A palace built by Maharajas of Alwar are now been converted into a hotel. Jaipur is 107km away from Sariska National Park. Sariska city should be visited for its magnificent forts, palaces, and museums.

The sariska National park experiences extreme weather conditions. Summer months are from April to June when the temperature rises to a high around 38.4 degree C. Winters are from October to March when the temperature in sariska drops to around 15 degree C. The monsoon season in sariska does not receive a heavy rainfall.

Sariska national park is well connected with the major cities of Rajasthan, neighboring towns and the cities. The nearest airport to the Sariska is at Jaipur. The Nearest Rail junction is Alwar at a distance of 35km. Sariska National Park is at a distance of 200 km from Delhi and 107 km from the Jaipur. The road network is also very good with frequent bus services between Delhi and Jaipur via Alwar and Sariska. Tourists can conveniently drive to the Sariska national park in their own vehicle or a hired car from neighboring cities. There are several options for accommodation in and around the Sariska National Park ranging from forests lodges to the former Royal residence of the Maharaja of Alwar.