Unveiling Secrets: Hidden Tales from India's Best-Known Wildlife Sanctuaries
Discovering India's Hidden Gems: Ancient Forts, Temples, and Legends in Tiger Reserves
India's tiger reserves are not just havens for rich biodiversity, but also treasure troves of historical forts, ancient temples, and intriguing legends that connect wildlife with cultural heritage.
In the heart of Bandhavgarh National Park lies Khandar Fort, dramatically perched on a hill near the Chambal River. This small fort houses Jain temples, royal chhatris, and grand stepwells, offering a glimpse into the region's past. Bandhavgarh Fort, also within the reserve, is linked to Lord Ram, Lakshman, Mauryan rulers, Mughal emperors Humayun and Akbar, and the mystic poet Kabir. Another fort within the reserve is Utigir Fort, once belonging to the princely state of Karauli and serving as a venue for tiger hunts. Its scale and architectural finesse rival those of Ranthambore and Khandar.
Ranthambore National Park, famously known for its Ranthambore Fort, also hides Khandar Fort and Utigir Fort within its folds. The fortresses are adorned with Jain temples, royal chhatris, and stepwells, adding historical depth to the wildlife adventure.
Sariska Tiger Reserve, in Rajasthan, holds a lesser-known legend about Mughal emperor Aurangzeb exiling his brother Dara Shikoh to Kankwari Fort, where he was kept under strict watch to prevent escape.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in Assam, boasts a lesser-known area on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, crucial to the park's long-term conservation strategy. Near the forest range office on this bank stands a small temple dedicated to the bear god, known locally as the Bhalu temple, believed to be at least 500 years old. The north bank of the Brahmaputra is rich in wildlife, with rhinos and elephants roaming through lush riverine grasslands.
The Satpura Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh, is an expansive park known for its prehistoric cave art. One ancient temple complex within the reserve, Jhinjhini Mahal, is open to exploration and has unclear origins, with some dating it to the 7th century and others to the 9th-10th century CE.
Corbett Tiger Reserve, in Uttarakhand, embraces spiritual tales like those of Pir Baba, a spiritual protector whose mazaars located inside the reserve hold symbolic significance among forest guards and locals. The reserve has a lesser-known story about Pir Baba, who is believed to protect people and animals. His mazaars are tucked away in three locations, and forest guards and mahouts offer gur as a symbolic sacrifice every winter.
These reserves often conceal such remarkable remnants of the past that are little-known to most visitors but enrich the experience beyond wildlife viewing. The heritage includes ruins, ancient structures, and folklore that reflect the intertwined history of India's natural and cultural landscapes.
In recent years, a new book, "Hidden Treasures: India's Heritage in Tiger Reserves, Vol 1" by Bharat Lal and S P Yadav, has been published, exploring forts, temples, and forgotten stories across 28 reserves in 16 states. This book sheds light on these hidden gems, inviting more people to explore and appreciate the rich cultural tapestry that lies within India's tiger reserves.
Exploring these tiger reserves reveals not just the majesty of tigers but also forgotten forts, temples, and tales that tell stories of India’s wilderness intertwined deeply with its past rulers, spiritual beliefs, and local traditions.
- The hidden gem, Khandar Fort, within Bandhavgarh National Park, is more than just a hillside fortress; it Also houses Jain temples, royal chhatris, and grand stepwells, offering a glimpse into the region's rich historical lifestyle.
- In Sariska Tiger Reserve, the lesser-known Kankwari Fort, where Mughal emperor Aurangzeb exiled his brother Dara Shikoh, adds an intriguing travel tale to the region's wildlife adventure.
