Let us travel back in time to witness what makes Bandhavgarh National Park one of the most unique experiences for tourists.
The dense forests of Bandhavgarh National Park’s dare home to a plethora of wildlife, that include Bengal tigers, leopards, Asiatic jackals, gaurs, sambar deer, barking deer etc. Situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this ancient forest is a gold mine for those who enjoy history. From being mentioned in mythological texts, to being the hunting grounds of the royals and later being declared as a national park, Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve offers some of the best tourist attractions.
Read on, as we take you on a journey into the history of an ancient forest.
Bandhavgarh National Park - A Testimony to Brotherhood
Bandhavgarh Wildlife Reserve is one of the few national parks in the world where history and natural history coexist. The term Bandhavgarh is derived from two root words- “Bandhav” meaning brother and “Garh” meaning fort. It is believed that Lord Rama stayed in this place after defeating Ravana, the demon king of Sri Lanka. Lord Rama is said to have built a fort to gift it to his beloved brother, Lakshmana, and hence the name.
The Royals of Bandhavgarh
The iconic Bandhavgarh fort, in its thousands of years of existence, was ruled by many kings. Despite being amidst dense jungles, the Bandhavgarh fort has seen generations of dynasties rise and fall, such as the Vakataka Empire, Sengars and the Kalachuri, until it was taken over by the Baghels (the descendants of the Solanki clan) in the 13th century.
There no records that accurately suggest when the Bandhavgarh fort was constructed. Some sources say it was constructed around 2000 years ago, while the others say Mauryans ruled the fort during the 3rd century BC, which makes the fort older than 2200 years! If we go by the local folklore, Bandhavgarh fort is said to be built by the Gond kings.
In the 17th century, however, Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital from Bandhavgarh fort to Rewa, as the empire was expanding.Bandhavgarh fort was distant from the rest of the empire. By 1935, the fort was completely deserted.
The Bandhavgarh fort is mentioned in mythological texts like Shiva Purana and Narada Pancharatra. Shiva Purana is considered by some as being a living text, which means it was regularly edited over a long period. It is estimated that some chapters of the Shiva Purana were composed after the 14th century. This might explain the mention of the Bandhavgarh fort in mythological texts.
Archaeological Sites in Bandhavgarh National Park
Your Bandhavgarh sightseeing schedule must include these archeological sites. It is almost like flipping through glorious chapters of history
Bandhavgarh Fort
The Bandhavgarh fort is one of Bandhavgarh National Park and Wildlife Reserve’s best tourist atractions. Located on the Bandhavgarh Hill, 811m above sea level, it is surrounded by the dense forest and many smaller hills.
Majestically, the fort overlooks the Bandhavgarh National Park in all its glory! In the recent past, the hilltop was a favourite spot for bird photographers because of its altitude. Entry to the Bandhavgarh fort is no longer permitted, because it falls into the core region of the forest. But this magnificent fort can still be viewed from many safari zones, standing tall and becoming one with nature, with each passing day.
Shesh Shaiya
“Shesh Shaiya” is a large statue of Lord Vishnu at the base of the Bandhavgarh fort. The name Shesh Shaiya refers to the sleeping posture of beautiful Lord Vishnu statue.
The sculptures of the Trimurti-triad of three main gods of India - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, can also be seen at this site. Next to these ancient sculptures, one can see a pool of water which is said to be the source of the Charanganga River.
Caves of Bandhavgarh National Park
The Bandhavgarh fort hill and its surrounding hillocks, have 39 caves in total. It is estimated that the oldest caves among them date back to the 1st century! The walls of some of these ancient caves are inscribed with figures of tiger, elephant, pig, and horsemen. The exact purpose of these caves, nestled within Bandhavgarh Wilflife Reserve, is still mysterious. It is believed that they were used by sages for their ascetic practices.
Badi Gufa Cave
Only one of the caves of Bandhavgarh National Park, the Badi Gufa cave, is accessible to the tourists. In Hindi, the word “Badi” means large and “Gufa” means cave,. Situated at the base of the Bandhavgarh Hill, this cave dates back to the 10th century.
True to its name, Badi Gufa is spacious, big enough for a person of average height to stand and walk around comfortably. It has nine small rooms and several pillars and is believed to have been used by monks during the ancient times.
Siddha Baba Temple
The Siddha Baba temple in the Bandhavgarh National Park, named after the Hindu deity Siddha Baba, is an ancient Shiva temple. Located in a prime part of the sanctuary, the temple’s surroundings are thick grasslands which make an ideal habitat for various animals like chital, sambar, wild boar, deer and many other animals.
Perhaps because of the ample availability of prey, the frequency of tiger sightings in the Siddha Baba region is quite high. Some wildlife photographers, filmmakers, visitors and the guides seek blessings from this temple, praying for success in their pursuit.
From Historic Hunting Trails To The Heart of Conservation
Before being declared a National Park, Bandhavgarh Wildlife Reserve was an exclusive hunting ground for the Maharajas of Rewa. Killing 109 tigers in a year was considered auspicious by these kings. Not considered inhumane back in the day, hunting was a sign of pride, rank and stature. So, the kings strived to take down as many tigers as possible in a single year. Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh is said to have hunted 111 tigers and Raja Gulab Singh is said to have hunted 83 tigers in a single year, in pursuit of the “auspicious” number.
Since the Bandhavgarh National Park region was a hunting ground reserved only for the kings and not the common people, it helped, to a certain extent, in conserving the other species.
Unlike his father Raja Gulab Singh, Martand Singh was a conservationist. Soon after ascending the throne in 1946, he began conserving Rewa’s tigers and the forests. His efforts in the past towards the conservation of the big cat have most certainly helped Madhya Pradesh get its current title of “Tiger State”.
Fun Fact: Maharaja Martand Singh captured an orphaned white tiger in Bandhavgarh, in 1951. The tiger, which was later domesticated and named Mohan, was used to breed more white tigers which were then exported to various countries. So, it is said that captive white tigers from all over the world are descendants of Mohan!
Bandhavgarh National Park As We Know It Today
The beautiful jungles of Bandhavgarh were declared a National Park in 1968. After the Wildlife Protection Act was introduced in 1972, the area of the National Park was extended to 437 square km. Thanks to these conservation efforts, the Bandhavgarh National Park currently has one of the highest tiger populations in the country!
Today, thousands of wildlife enthusiasts throng the mesmerizing jungles and historic Bandhavgarh sightseeing spots. Significant revenue is generated because of the ecotourism, which helps in the welfare of the staff and the villagers nearby.
Most of the tourists visit the national park expecting to see a tiger, and they are seldom disappointed. With the population of the apex predator flourishing by the day, it is no wonder that Bandhavgarh safaris are so popular. In a place where the tiger population was once on the brink of extinction, the balance is seemingly restored.
Parting Thoughts
Of the many interesting facets of Bandhavgarh, the one we find the most fascinating is that a place which was once inhabited, and sometimes exploited by humans, is now rewilded! It gives us an eerie feeling to witness the wild along with the ancient ruins that have stood the test of time.
Countless generations of rulers have risen and fallen; crumbled and blown away in the ashes of time. But, the forests and the ruins of Bandhavgarh National Park hold stories that will live on forever.
