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THE
WILD IN THE WOODEN VALLEY
Located 107 kms from Jaipur, the Sariska National Park is in a
wooden valley, surrounded by barren mountains. The dry deciduous
forests of the ancient Aravalli range cover the area of the
Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve.
The main fauna in the park includes the Tiger, Panther, Hyena,
Jungle Cat, Civet, Sambhar, Chinkara, Nilgai and Four-Horned
Antelope. Declared a Sanctuary in 1955, it became a Tiger
Reserve under Project Tiger in 1979.
The other great predator of Sariska's forests is the leopard
besides the ferocious tiger. Sariska has a healthy porcupine
population, and this tiny creature often pits itself against the
tiger, which is particularly fond of porcupine flesh.
The 'Chowsingha' (four horned antelope) is  commonly
found at Sariska; exclusively Indian, it is the world's only
wild creature, which has two pairs of horns. The Park's terrain
is also congenial to the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) and Nilgai.
Remarkable for their lack of timidity are the Rhesus and Langur,
which, at Sariska tolerate human closeness with astonishing
equanimity.
The birdlife comprises of the Pea Fowl, Gray Partridge, Quail,
Sandgrouse, Tree Pie, White-Breasted Kingfisher, Golden-Backed
Woodpecker, Crested Serpent, Eagle and Great Indian Horned Owl.
VIEWING THE WILD
The best way to visit the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep
and these can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on
Jaipur Road.
Booking a `hide',
overlooking one of the waterholes, can provide an excellent
opportunity for viewing and photographing wildlife. So, pick up
your sleeping bag and some food and settle down to watch.
PRIME SITES:
Within the park are the ruins of many temples.
The KANKWARI FORT
The Sariska Park
has historic overtones. Here, Emperor Aurangzeb once imprisoned
his brother, Dara Shikoh.
THE ANCIENT SHIVA TEMPLES in the precincts of the park,
Neelkanth temples (6th-13th century AD), which are now in ruins,
afford a wonderful sight to the visitors.
THE PALACE,
Sariska was once the royal reserve of the rulers of Alwar. This
palace built by the Maharajas of Alwar, has now been converted
into a hotel.
HOW TO GET THERE
ROAD: Sariska is
situated off the Delhi-Alwar-Jaipur Road. The nearest town is
Alwar (21 km). Jaipur is located at a distance of 110 km and
Delhi at 200Kms. There are direct buses to Alwar from Delhi and
Jaipur. Frequent buses travel between Alwar and Sariska.
RAIL: The nearest raiway station is Alwar (21 km).
AIR: Jaipur is the nearest airport
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