Bandhavgarh National Park
A compact park of sal forest and rocky hills under an ancient fort, with one of the highest tiger densities in India.
- Established
- 1968 (national park) · 1993 (tiger reserve)
- Area
- Roughly 700 km² core
- District
- Umaria
- Safari zones
- Tala · Magadhi · Khitauli
- Season
- October to June
- Nearest station
- Umaria (about 35 km)
How the park came to be
Bandhavgarh was the hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Rewa and became a national park in 1968. It was included in Project Tiger in 1993.
The park is overlooked by Bandhavgarh Fort, linked by legend to the Ramayana. Its hills hold rock-cut caves with inscriptions over 2,000 years old and the Shesh Shaiya, a large reclining Vishnu statue by a spring. The first white tiger known to the world, Mohan, was found in the Rewa forests nearby in 1951.
FloraForest & landscape
Sal forest in the valleys, mixed forest and bamboo on the hills, and grassy meadows (bohris). Streams and springs keep the park green into summer.
FaunaWildlife you can see
- Bengal tiger
- Leopard
- Sloth bear
- Gaur
- Dhole (wild dog)
- Jungle cat
- Sambar
- Chital
- Barking deer
- Nilgai
- Wild boar
- Wild elephant (recent arrivals)
Birds: Over 250 species, including Malabar pied hornbill, Indian vultures and many birds of prey.
Things to do
The most sought-after zone, below the fort.
Reclining Vishnu statue on the Tala route.
Ancient rock-cut caves with Brahmi inscriptions.
Tala village and local crafts.
Travel tips
- Tala fills fastest; book well ahead
- April–May afternoons are hot but good for sightings at water
- Add a night at Sanjay-Dubri for a quieter forest