Sariska tiger Reserve forest has a long history behind its growth and development. Remnants of past architectural wonders are being available in every hook and nook of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
The Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, is said to have locked up his elder brother, Dara Shikoh, in the rugged hilltop fort of Kankwadi. The ruins of a myriad Hindu and Jain temples built between the 8th and the 12th centuries are a proof to the great architecture of the past. Pandupole lies in the southeastern region had an association with the
Pandavas of the Hindu epic, the
Mahabharata. The popular temple of the god
Hanuman is a favored spot with monkeys.
Sariska, which is situated in the Aravali Range of dry northeast
Rajasthan, has steep hills, low slopes and dry but dense forest covering its rugged landscape. In the dry months of summer and winter the forest worn the color of brown and got dried up. It also is busted with the vivid orange and red flowers blooms of the flame of the forest tree in March-April. Troops of langurs relish their fleshy petals and birds feast on the nourishing nectar.
The forest blends with stretches of grassland where herbivores such as the Sambar (the largest Indian deer), the Spotted Deer or Chital, the Wild Boar and the Common Langur can be seen, usually with bands of peafowl. Nilgai (Blue Bull) and Chowsingha (Four-horned Antelope) are also common grazers, distinct from true antelopes in the structure of their horns, which are keeled in front and not rings.
Beautiful birds also are no less significant. In fact the whole of the Sariska Tiger Reserve is filled with the melodious tunes of the chirping birds. Among various species, important one are Grey Francolin, Indian Peafowl, Jungle Bush Quail (below), White-eared Bulbul, Kufous Treepie, Lesser Flameback, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Sirkeer Malkoha, Alexandrine Parakeet, Oriental Turtle Dove, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Painted Sandgrouse, Southern Grey Shrike, Rufous-fronted Prinia, Marshall`s lora, Large Grey Babbler, Purple Sunbird, Eurasian Thick-knee, Yellow-wattled Lapwing Along the side of the rivers, numerous birds like Stork-billed Kingfisher etc are found in huge numbers.
Various bird hunters throng the park. These include Oriental Honey-buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Common Kestrel, Shikra, Dusky Eagle Owl, and Eurasian Eagle Owl. Nilgai (Blue Bull) and Chowsingha (Four-horned Antelope) are also are found grazing on the grass fields. They are quite dissimilar from the antelopes so far as the shape of their horns are concerned. The horns are usually reeled in the front, and not circular as such. They are found only in the Indian territories. . Many people are under the false notion that they are a particular type of cow. However, due to the initiatives of National park the Blue Bulls are being saved to go into extinction. They resemble a horse in appearance, and more so, the male bulls are darker than the females.
The numerous waterholes are prevalent in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, throng by the animals especially in the sultry days of summer months. At the secret hideouts at places like Kalighati and Slopka, animals in huge droves roam around at ease. However, with the occurrence of any danger, like sight of any tiger or leopard make them go heywhere. At the woe hours of night, these tigers look darker and ferocious than those of other national parks.
The sariska Tiger Reserve has seen tumultuous times. In the previous era, it falls prey to the foreign invasions. Nowadays, huge population of urbanities utilizes the reserve and its resources to satisfy their needs, thereby depleting the beauty of the reserve day by day.
