
The Amazing Forests of Bandavgarh tells fascinating stories of Kings, White Tigers and a fort gifted to a brother. This is the last ( for now) and chapter 5 in the series on Bandavagarh .
Legend has it that Lord Ram gifted the fort to his brother Laxman ( do see my write up on Artifacts of the Samode Safari Lodge)
The Bandavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve was once home to the White Tiger ( not spotted for the last 50 years now) and was the domain of the Baghela Rulers of Rewa. It was preserved by these wise rulers as a Wildlife sanctuary from the 17th century ( 400 years ago) when they shifted their capital from Bandavgarh to Rewa.

It is home to numerous monuments, temples ,caves and forts, most of which are beyond the reach of the ordinary tourist like me. A visit to the fort requires a special permit I hope I will be able to visit the 10th Century Fort in the years to come.

The caves are about 2000 yrs going back to the 1st A.D. The entire region .

I have observed that hills inhabited by ancient temples in India are often a treasure trove for environmentalists.


They are often the catchment areas of water for the region, ancient forests provides medicinal plants and in turn its inhabitants, the fauna ( wildlife) , thrives.


The Amazing forests of Bandavgarh are a wonderful example of this ancient wisdom.



There are some pictures which I am adding in Chapter 6, which will show up the deficiencies of the Forest administration at Bandavgarh.So keep your eyes pealed.
After much inner conflict I think its necessary to mention the same.