Ranthambore Tourism

Ranthambore, a small village in North West Rajasthan situated near Sawai Madhopur Township, has inscribed its name with golden letters on the wide canvas of Rajasthan Tourism. Surrounded by VindhyaChal Mountain Ranges on one side and Aravali Hills on the other, Ranthambore is placed near the outer brinks of the Thar Desert. Deriving its name from the two hills ‘Ran’ and ‘Thambor’, this village is famous all over the map for its celebrated Tiger Reserve.

Woods endowed with affluent flora and fauna, spectacular ambiance, rocky and at times sandy smudges, sloping hills, dazzling landscapes, grasslands, lovely lakes, gushing streams and mysterious ravines make Ranthambore a perfect abode for wild beasts and a dream destination for wild life enthusiasts. Many celebrities including President Bill Clinton have visited Ranthambore National Park to see the majestic Bengal tigers.

Apart from this, Ranthambore also boasts of a rich cultural and historical legacy. It offers an incredible assimilation of rich wildlife with the scattered ruins of yesteryears basking in the heroism of glorious Rajasthani heritage. Ruined pavilions, wrecks of the fort, chhatris, crumbling walls, old fortifications, wells, and other incandescent edifices of kingships quench your thirst to taste the splendid past of Ranthambore.

History of Ranthambore

In 12th century AD, the Delhi Sultan Iltutmish conquered the Fort of Ranthambore which was regained by the kings of Chauhan dynasty. King Govinda, the grandson of famous Chauhan King of Ajmer and Delhi: Prithviraj Chauhan ruled Ranthambore in 13th century AD who was succeeded by King Vagbhatta. The throne of Ranthambore changed hands many times between Rajput rulers and various Sultans who invaded several times. Hada Rajput Kings of Bundi and Mughal Emperors namely Akbar and Aurangazeb also held the reigns of Ranthambore.

Finally the royal seat of Ranthambore was brought under the domain of Rana Kumbha in 14th century. After the demise of Rana Kumbha, Rana Udai Singh ruled this region who was later defeated by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. In 17th century the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur took over the Ranthambore fort. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam had gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754. After that, Jaipur kings retained the dominion until the independence of India.

Jaipur State joined the independent India in 1949 and it was integrated with Rajasthan State in the year 1950. The region known as Ranthambore tiger reserve today, served as the former hunting ground of Jaipur Maharajas. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were the noteworthy dignitaries who also enjoyed the sport of hunting here. In the year 1955, Ranthambore was officially declared a game sanctuary area. In 1972 a tiger project was initiated and Ranthambore was acclaimed as a tiger reserve. In 1980, this tiger reserve was finally raised to the status of a National Park. In 1991, Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary were integrated to enlarge the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

Ranthambore Culture

Ranthambore, ‘the city of tigers’ is famous in every corner of the country for its Tiger Reserve and National Park. Every season the sanctuary attracts thousands of tourists both local and foreign as it provides opportunities to sight birds and animals, especially Bengal Tigers roaming about freely in their natural habitat. Ranthambore is specially developed as a sanctuary area and a tourist’s destination.

Apart from spotting tigers and taking photographs from your safari jeep, you can take home souvenirs from Ranthambore. Bandhani, Batik and Embroidered Fabrics, Turbans, Rajasthani Mirror Work, Traditional Silver Jewellery, Ranthambore Style Paintings, Bed and Cushion Covers, Rajasthani Puppets, Mementos and Souvenirs, T- shirts, Postcards, Greeting Cards all bearing the images of tigers and other birds and animals are special items for shopping.

Various festivals are celebrated here with great enthusiasm, pomp and show. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated in the month of August or September is the major segment of Ranthambore culture. Solemnized to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesh, this festival of ten days attract thousands of devotees as well as the tourists to the renowned Ganesh Temple placed in the fort of Ranthambore. Songs and bhajans recited in the praise of Lord Ganesh comprise the main event at this temple. Other festivals like Saraswathi Puja (October-November), Holi (February-March) and Diwali (October) are also celebrated at Ranthambore with equal zest.