Bandhavgarh National Park

One of the best places in India to see tigers in the wild is the Bandhavgarh National Park. This was declared a national park in 1968 and has an area of 105 sq kms. Reaching the park is easy – it is a four-hour drive from Jabalpur, which is the nearest point if you are arriving by air.

Tiger Emerging from the Forest

The park is open from mid October to mid June. Safaris need to be booked in advance either directly or through the hotel one is staying in – and there are plenty of resorts and hotels around Bandhavgarh to take care of everything. Limited numbers of vehicles are allowed into the park at fixed times and fixed routes – 6.00 to 10.30 in the morning and 2.30 to 5.30 in the evening. You cannot get out of the jeep once in the park.

The Tigress of Rajbehera on the move

The park is most famous for it’s tigers, which very often can be very elusive. We were lucky to have 2 sightings of the majestic animals. Other animals in plenty are the Sāmbhar deer, spotted deer, langurs and baboons. Leopards too can be seen at times. The park has a variety of birds that can be spotted. When we visited in November, it was lush green with some great scenery and landscapes. Sunrise in the morning is a treat to watch.

In the park is the famous 10^th century Bandhavgarh fort on a hilltop. Visitors are not allowed there but one can go to the man made caves lower on the hill. There is also a historic 10^th century statue of Lord Vishnu, which should not be missed.

If you love wildlife and are fond of nature, then a visit here is a must. Remember to book in advance and to go for at least 4 safaris to ensure a tiger sighting

 

Tigress on the dam crossing over

 For more images of animals in Badhavgarh, please visit my website at 

Pravine Chester's Photography 

The Lions of Gir

Besides Africa, the only place where lions exist is the Gir National Park in Gujarat in West India. This is the sole home of the Asiatic Lions and is a protected national park. Lioness on the lookout

Though there are no direct air connections to this place, it is easy to fly down to Rajkot from Mumbai and drive down to Sasan Gir ( approx. 160kms / 3.5 Hrs) . It is estimated that there are over 400 lions today in Gir.

Watchful Young Lion

The Lazy One (Top ) and Lioness on the Prowl ( Bottom)

The Gir forest is a deciduous scrub forest which is ideal as a habitat for the Asiatic Lions. It differs from the African Lion in having a smaller mane and a larger tail tuft. They are also smaller than the African Lion.

These photgraphs were taken on my visit to the Gir Forest in April 2014.

Please do visit my website of  at Pravine Chester's Photo Portfolio

BACK TO THE BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY

This year, after a gap of 2 years made another visit to 'Keoladeo Ghana National Park' popularly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. This park has thousands of migratory birds arriving for breeding  every year from October to March. I was particularly keen to visit the park this year as there had been a very good monsoon and I expected the marshes and lakes of the park to have plenty of water for migratory water birds to land. Was therefore unpleasantly surprised to see that most of the park was dry with just some pockets of water in the many  ponds, lakes and marshes. Apparently whereas most of North India had excess rainfall, the region of Bharatpur ( which is just 150 Kms from Delhi) recd very little rain. However did manage to see a number of local as well as migratory birds. The most prominent bird at the park is the Painted Stork. This year two there were more than 2 colonies of painted storks nesting and breeding.

 A painted stork with it's catch

As usual there were a number of migratory ducks. Spotted some comb ducks, mallards, greylag goose, ruddy sheldock amongst others. Ibises, egrets, cormorants and herons are other water birds that are abundantly present.

Was fortunate to come across a pair of Sarus Cranes that were feeding in the marshy waters. Sarus cranes are always found in pairs. It is believed that in case one of partner dies, the other starves itself to death.

A pair of Sarus Cranes

Was also fortunate to spot some birds of prey at close distances - the Shikra and  Crested Serpent Eagle.

This shikra had a just hunted down a rat and was busy eating it's catch. Though not visible in this photograph, the rat is firmly held by the bird in it's claws.

Crested Serpent Eagle on the lookout.

The Keoladeo National Park is situated in Bharatpur in Rajasthan which is short 4 hours drive from Delhi. Bharatpur is also well connected by train and buses.

Bharatpur has a number of hotels to stay which cater to both the Indian and foreign tourists. I would recommend The Bagh -  an excellent property with well furnished rooms, excellent service and good food.  It also has a library which has a very good selection of books on birds of India. The hotel has a nice garden with numerous trees and many species of birds can be spotted in the trees. You would also be able to spot turkeys roaming the grounds during the day. If you are planning a visit, be sure to carry your binoculars and if you are a photo enthusiast, carry your telephoto lens.

HAPPY DIWALI

Today is Diwali , the festival of lights . This is the most important festival of India. It signifies the triumph of good over evil and victory of brightness over darkness.

Candles and oil lamps ( though these are now being replaced by electric lights) are lit up and placed around homes to give a bright and festive look.

Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which means an array of lights. Balconies of homes and windows are decked with lights on window sills and parapets.

On Diwali, the goddess Laxmi, a symbol of prosperity, is worshipped.  Special Pujas ( prayers ) are performed at home before the beginning of celebrations. People wear new clothes, share sweets and light firecrackers. The North Indian business community usually starts their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

Puja Place

The place where Puja is held is specially decorated with colours and flowers. This ritual is performed in every Hindu home. The main doors of homes are left open for the evening to enable the Goddess Laxmi to enter homes and bring wealth with her.

The evening ends with family and friends getting together, exchanging gifts and sweets, bursting crackers and dining.

Wish you all a Happy and Prosperous Diwali

Sunset at Pushkar

A popular spot in Pushkar is sunset point located adjacent to the Pushkar Palace overlooking the lake and temples. It is rather unfortunate that the lake has been dry for over 2 years now - the Government of Rajasthan is supposedly de silting and cleaning the lake ( we saw no work happening when we were there). Sunset Point is a favourite hang out place overlooking the holy Pushkar Lake where you can watch the sun setting. The very strategically located 'Sunset Cafe' is just in front of the KIshangarh Ghat offering a wide variety of vegetarian though mediocre fare. Nice place to relax and watch the sun go down. Be there an hour before sunset as the place has only 5 or 6 tables outside that give you a view of the place.

Sunset at Sunset Point in Pushkar

Street singers are a common feature at this point . For a small tip of $1 to S2, the musicians will break into song with some fantastic drumming and playing of the local Sarangi.

Street Musicians performing for Tourists

The Pushkar lake has around it 52 bathing ghats where devotees come for blessings and take a dip in the holy waters. Just in front of the viewing platform at sunset point is the Kishangarh Ghat where a priest will offer prayers for you for an amount as low as $1 ( depending on your bargaining skills). This is also the only spot where you can take photographs.Kishangarh GhatsThe numerous Temples surrounding the Pushkar Lake

Pushkar is a popular place to visit for tourists from around the world. There is a wide variety of cuisines from around the world ( the quality though is middling) ranging from Italian, Hebrew and Mexican to a wide range of Rajasthani vegetarian food. Pushkar has a surprisingly large no of tourists from Israel and you will find signs in Hebrew, Indians speaking Hebrew and numerous restaurants with Israeli food. Tourists in Pushkar

Pizza in Pushkar

Pushkar is a small orthodox town in Rajasthan and the one thing you would not expect to find in Pushkar is a good pizza - but surprise! surprise! - we located a place named Bagh Restaurant which serves some the best pizzas possible. Pushkar being a vegetarian town - non veg is banned - ordered vegetarian cheese pizzas which were amongst the best that I have ever had. The restaurant even has a Wood fired oven to turn out the real thing. Highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys pizzas.

Waiting for the Pizzas !!

PUSHKAR

Went on a weekend trip with family to Pushkar in Rajasthan. Had a lovely 7 hour drive from Delhi halting on the way for coffee and snacks.                                         Utsav, Angad and Kartik with Anita at the Dhaba

Entered Pushkar around 3 and headed for the Green House Resort where we were staying. A very nice tented accommodation with all luxuries and comforts.

The Greenhouse Resort is about 7 kms outside Puskar and is located on the foothills of the Aravalis. The resort has made extensive use of drip irrigation to really green up the place and there is an abundance of flowers and plants though the area is very dry and arid. The morning woke us up with the chatter of Babblers – very noisy birds, If you are lucky,  peacocks can be spotted in the fields. Mornings in December are crisp and chilly and the air is absolutely clean.

Pushkar is a holy city. It is a pilgrimage spot and scores of devotees visit Pushkar daily . A rough estimate of the no of temples in Pushakar is 500 temples!!

View of the Temples surrounding the Pushkar Lake

The most prominent place in Pushkar is the Puskhar Lake or Sarovar as it is called. The Sarovar is surrounded by temples, the most prominent of them being the Brahma Temple built in the 14th century,  one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is believed that Lord Brahma along with all the Gods and Goddesses performed a special ceremony here. Legend also has it that the Sarovar Lake was formed miraculously when a lotus fell from the hands of Brahma. ( The pity is that the lake is now completely dry),Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in the world. Other temples of Brahma include those at Besakih in Bali, Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh, India, village Asotra near Balotra city of Barmer district in Rajasthan and Prambanan in Indonesia. The Pushkar lake 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.

The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats in Maharashtra

Some views of the foothills in areas surrounding Nashik in Maharashtra. The hot summer turns the hills an interesting brown.

Rural India

Haryana Countryside

I have spent the last 4 days driving through the countryside of Haryana. This is probably the hottest time of the year with temperatures easily reaching levels of 46 to 50 degrees. The earlier crop ( rabi season which is from October to February) has already been harvested and the soil is prepared for sowing of the Kharif Crop. Miles of brown ploughed fields are visible as far as the eye can see.

Farm ready for sowing

A very common sight in fields of Haryana is the Blue Bull or the Nilgai Antelope. These animals have a life span of 20 to 30 years and live around scrubby grass lands and open jungles. Many Hindus consider the Nilgai a sacred and holy animal which has made the government ban the hunting of these animals. This has resulted in a overpopulation of these animals which is a major cause of damage done to crops in this region. Controlled hunting of these animals could probably solve this problem of overpopulation.
Herd of Blue Bulls in the fields of Hissar District

Countryside Views

Aravalli Hills

Driving out of Delhi into Haryana through Gurgaon or Faridabad and onwards into Rajasthan one comes across a series of broken rocky hills. These are the Aravalli Ranges that extend to almost 800 Kilometres. The northern end of the range begins from Delhi and extends upto Palanpur in Gujarat near Ahmedabad.

The portion of the Aravallis in Delhi and Haryana are a series of isolated hills and rocky ridges.

These are shots of the hills near Alwar.

The range has vegetation as it extends westward and is at its highest at Mount Abu.