Visiting The 7 Largest National Parks In India

India currently has 106 existing national parks, encompassing 44,402.95 square km of territory in the country, which accounts for just 1.35% of India's total area. The size of these parks varies widely, ranging from the largest, the Hemis National Park, occupying 4,400 square km, to the South Button Island National Park in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, covering only 5 square km. The article below lists seven of India's largest national parks instead of ten due to confusion regarding the data available online. As can be seen, some of the largest national parks are located in the least populated areas of the country, like the cold deserts of Ladakh and the hot desert of Thar. In such areas, creating large, inviolate spaces for wildlife becomes easier due to lower interference by human populations.

1. Hemis National Park, Ladakh - 4,400 square km

The stunning landscape of the Hemis National Park in Leh, Ladakh. Image credit: Paras31194 via Wikimedia Commons.

Home to the world's highest density of snow leopards, the Hemis National Park in the Leh District of Ladakh is a spectacle to behold. This high-altitude protected area, ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 6,000 m, features stunning snow-clad mountains of the Zazkar Ranage in the Trans-Himalayan mountain region. It is not just the elusive snow leopards who call this park home, but visitors to Hemis also get a chance to view other rare and threatened wildlife like the Tibetan wolf, Eurasian brown bear, Tibetan argali, Asiatic ibex, Himalayan griffon vulture, and more. The lofty peaks, deep valleys, fast-flowing rivers, and rugged, rocky slopes contribute to the park's breathtaking scenery. The place also offers visitors a glimpse into the rich Buddhist culture of the region with monasteries like the famous 17th-century Hemis Monastery located here.

2. Desert National Park, Rajasthan - 3,612 square km

Chinkaras in the Desert National Park of Rajasthan. Image credit: Santanu Sen via Flickr.com.

From the cold desert to the hot one - the Desert National Park, India's second biggest national park, spans across the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan. Around 44% of this park is carpeted by sand dunes, with the rest being covered by shallow salt lakes and rocky ground. Despite the harshness of the terrain and hot climate, life has found a way to flourish here. The critically endangered great Indian bustard is the biggest attraction for wildlife lovers in the Desert National Park. It is one of the last refuges of this bird that numbers only around a hundred individuals globally. In addition, chinkara, desert fox, desert cat, a wide variety of residents and migratory birds, and reptiles like a saw-scaled viper, spiny-tailed lizards, etc., also live here.

3. Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand - 2,390 square km

Himalayan musk deer in Gangotri National Park. Image credit: Surajit Das via Wikimedia Commons

Breathtaking vistas make this park alluring to nature lovers. It is also where the Ganga River traces its origins at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier. Brimming with natural splendour and spirituality, the Gangotri National Park is definitely a must-visit for all who seek beauty and peace. With the elevation varying from 1,800 to 7,083 m, the plant and animal life diversity is also incredible. High mountain peaks, deep gorges, narrow valleys, rugged glaciers, mind-boggling cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls, spectacular lakes, and lively rivers all characterise the dramatic landscape of the park. Among the many species living in the Gangotri National Park, some of the most iconic include snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan brown bear, Asian black bear, Himalayan monal, and others.

4. Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh - 1,985 square km

Gorgeous scenery at Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh. Image credit: Rohit Naniwadekar via Wikimedia Commons.

Part of the biodiversity hotspot of the Eastern Himalayas and a tiger reserve, this national park is teeming with life. It houses the world's northernmost lowland evergreen rainforests that harbours rich flora and faunal diversity. Here, you can find tigers, leopards, snow leopards, and clouded leopards all in the same park because the elevation range of the Namdapha National Park varies from 200 to 4,571 m! The park is also known for the many species of primates like hoolock gibbons, capped langur, Assamese macaque, stump-tailed macaque, and others. Endemism is high in the forests here, and it is a delightful place for bird and butterfly lovers. Over 400 species of birds, including five hornbill species, can be seen here. Visitors definitely have a lot to look forward to on their trip to this exotic, offbeat national park of India.

5. Khangchendzonga National Park - 1,784 square km

A crimson sunbird at the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim. Image credit: Dibyendu Ash via Wikimedia Commons.

Covering nearly 25% of Sikkim, this national park is named after Mount Khangchendzonga, the world's third-highest peak at 8,586 m that straddles the border between India and Nepal at the park's northernmost limits. The national park shows great altitudinal variation, featuring an incredible vertical sweep of 7 km, from 1,220m to 8,586m. Over 550 species of birds have been recorded here, including the blood pheasant, satyr tragopan, Himalayan griffon vulture, Tibetan snowcock, Himalayan monal, and others live in the Khangchendzonga National Park. Snow leopards are the apex predators here, living alongside other mammals like Himalayan pika, mountain goral, red panda, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan tahr, and more.

6. Guru Ghasidas National Park, Chhattisgarh - 1,440 square km

Black-hooded oriole in the Guru Ghasidas National Park, Chhattisgarh.

The Guru Ghasidas National Park was formerly part of the Sanjay National Park of Madhya Pradesh before the separate state of Chhattisgarh was formed, and the area of the park in the new state was renamed Guru Ghasidas after a famous saint from the region. Today, this national park houses tigers, leopards, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild boars, many species of birds, and more. 

7. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal - 1,330 square km

A gorgeous tiger in the Sundarbans National Park. Image credit: Soumyajit Nandy via Wikimedia Commons.

Home to the famed mangrove tigers, the Sundarbans National Park is a unique ecosystem of mangrove forests on islands along the Bay of Bengal. The tigers of the Sundarbans have inspired many legends and folklore of the past and articles, stories, and films in the present day. They are known to prey on humans! The Sundarbans National Park also has a unique landscape with a thick cover of mangroves dotting the shores, and the park can be explored only by the water route. Besides the tigers, the park is home to saltwater crocodiles, a large variety of birdlife, reptilians like the king cobra, and much more. The park was inscribed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is today visited by tourists from all over the world.

The Konark Sun Temple: UNESCO World Heritage Site In India

Where Is The Konark Sun Temple?

A temple famous for its marvellous architecture and historical wealth, the Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century temple located in Konark in the Orissa state of India. The temple has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of India. The temple site is 65 km from the capital city of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar, and 35 km away from the famous beach town of Puri.

History Of The Konark Sun Temple

Several myths, legends, and historical accounts tell the tale of the origin of the Konark Sun Temple. According to ancient Hindu scriptures, a sun temple already existed in the 9th centurty at the site prior to the 13th century construction of the temple we see today. 

According to legend, the son of Krishna, Samba was suffering from leprosy and was advised to built a sun temple to please the Sun God to cure him of the disease. He is believed to have undergone penance for 12 years on the shores of the present day Chandrabhaga beach. The original sun temple at the site was possibly commissioned by Samba.

The temple that we see today has been attributed to Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. He reigned in the region from 1238 to 1264 CE. It is believed that the king established the temple to celebrate his victory over Tughral Tughan Khan, a Muslim ruler trying to annex his territories. 

Several stories are related to the construction of the temple including the popular tale of Dharmapada who committed suicide to save his father and other workers of the temple who would suffer death penalty if unable to complete the temple construction within the stipulated time period. Also, there is the story of the magnet that Dharmapada suggested to be used in the crown of the temple to hold the iron ore laden rocks of the temple in place. However, our guide (who appeared quite knowledgeable) did not believe any of these tales are historically correct.

Today, the main sanctum of the Konark Sun Temple is in ruins. Several theories have also been linked to the collapse of the same. According to historical accounts, the temple was operational at least till early 16th century. 

According to legend, the temple was damaged by Kalapahad who invaded the region in 1568. According to another story, the Portuguese shipmen removed the main magnet holding the sanctum in place. 

Later, in 1627, the sun idol of the Sun Temple was removed by the Raja of Khurda and placed for worship in Puri’s Jagannath temple. 

According to James Fergusson, the temple collapsed due to instability in its marshy foundation. Lightning, earthquake, etc., are other suggested theories behind the collapse of the Konark Sun Temple’s main sanctum.

Recognizing the importance of the heritage site, the Indian Government arranged for the preservation, repair and reconstruction of the Konark Sun Temple soon after independence. The temple was granted the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Architecture Of The Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple has been built in the form of a giant chariot of the Sun god, Surya. The architecture of the temple displays the Kalinga architectural style and the temple is built using Khondalite rocks. The chariot has twelve pairs of elaborately carved wheels. The 3 meter wide wheels are pulled by seven horses with four on the right and three on the left. 

The temple is so positioned that the first rays of the sun would always strike the principal entrance of the temple. The main sanctum of the temple, originally believed to be 229 feet collapsed completely by 1837. The audience hall of the temple still stands along with the dance and the dining hall. 

The temple’s facade bears several intricate sculptures carved out in the rocks and is heavily ornamented. Erotic sculptures called maithunas are a special attraction here. The site also has two smaller ruined temples nearby.

Wonders Of The Konark Sun Temple

The entire complex of the Konark Sun Temple makes you feel like you have travelled back in time or it will definitely make you feel like you could go back in time. As your guide explains the details of the architecture and the way of life of the Indian people in the ancient age, you will be amazed of how advanced life was so many centuries back. 

You will learn to differentiate the truth from the myth. You will learn about the significant and respectable roles women played in the society back then. Your guide will show you sculptures representing women participating in warfare. You will be amazed at how open Indian society was at that time. Erotic sculptures all over the temple facade describes various erotic positions. You also learn about the lifestyle of ancient Indians during the prosperous times. 

Of course, the most attractive feature of the Sun Temple will be the wheels of the temple which act as excellent sun-dials giving you accurate time with the help of shadow. Ask your guide to teach you to calculate time on the wheels and be prepared to exclaim in awe about your observations. 

The Konark Sun Temple offers plenty of opportunities to photographers who wish to capture architectural grandeur and historical wonder all at once.

Best Time To Visit The Konark Sun Temple

November to January is the best time to visit the Konark Sun Temple. Summer time is best avoided as it is difficult to explore the heritage site in the scorching heat.

How To Visit The Konark Sun Temple

For those who are staying at Puri, a half-day tour from Puri to Konark (9am to 5 pm) would cost around Rs.1500 if you hire an AC car seating four adults and one child excluding the driver. 

Where To Stay At The Konark Sun Temple

There are only a few hotels in Konark since most prefer to stay at the Puri Sea Beach and visit Konark on a day trip. In Konark, there is a government hotel that is good for a budget traveller. In Puri, one can find hotels that range from highly luxurious resorts to small budget hotels. For luxury-seekers, the Mayfair hotel at Puri would be an excellent choice. 

Expert Guide At The Konark Sun Temple

Be careful about your choice of guides at the Konark Sun Temple. Our cab driver had informed us that we can get a guide for only Rs. 80/-. However, upon entering the temple grounds we realized that for that price, we will not get any government-licensed guide as their minimum charge is Rs. 200/- per hour. Realizing the significance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, we decided to go for a two hour tour for Rs. 400/- using a government-licensed guide. I am sharing the contact number of the guide here:

We were highly satisfied with his knowledge about the Sun Temple and the way he explained everything in details that captured our attention all the while. He speaks good English and Hindi and you will definitely enjoy a tour of the temple with his expert guidance. 

Here is his contact number: 

Mr. Dilip Panda 

Konark Sun Temple Guide

Phone Number: +91 9938137413

Places In And Around The Konark Sun Temple

There are numerous tourist spots in and around the Konark Sun Temple. 

Konark Museum: A small museum is located outside the temple compound that is run by the Archaelogical Survey of India. The museum houses a grand collection of sculptures excavated from the temple ruins. It remains closed in Fridays and open from 9 am to 5 pm on other days. 

Konark Sea Beach: One of the pristine beaches of Orissa, the Konark Sea Beach, about 3.1 km away from the Sun Temple offers serenity and spectacular sunset and sunrise. 

Puri Sea Beach: The Puri Sea Beach, a famous sea holiday destination in India is located only 34.5 km away from the site of the Sun Temple. The beach is excellent in terms of having an excellent and extensive sandy beach and great waves suitable for bathing in the sea. Several beach hotels and resorts, excellent restaurants, and handicraft stores dot the entire Puri beach. Puri is also famous for hosting the Jagannath Temple, an important Hindu pilgrimage site in the region. The beach and the town is always thriving with tourists and pilgrims is a lively place to spend your extended vacation. 

Ramachandi Temple: One can visit the Ramachandi Temple on the banks of the Kusabhadra River that joins the Bay of Bengal near the temple. It is about 34.5 km away from the Konark Sun Temple. The place provides pleasing views and opportunities for birding activities. 

Raghurajpur: Also you can visit this unique heritage arts village of Orissa with its colorful pattachitra paintings and handicrafts sold by the village artists in their beautifully decorated homes. Find details about this destination here: 

Read more about Raghurajpur here: http://oishimaya.blogspot.in/2017/03/exploring-raghurajpur-heritage-art.html

Visiting Keoladeo National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site In Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India

Where Is The Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)?

The Keoladeo National Park/Ghana National Park also known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in the Bharatpur city of Rajasthan in India. The site is famous for its rich avian biodiversity and houses nearly 230 species of birds and attracts a large number of migratory birds from other parts of India as well as abroad. The Keoladeo National Park is thus a perfect haven for birds and birdwatchers.

History Of The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

The Keoladeo National Park is a 250-year-old sanctuary that is named after a Hindu temple of Shiva (Keoladeo) located at the boundaries of the sanctuary. The region that is now a bird sanctuary was originally a natural depression that was flooded after the construction of the Ajan Bund, a dike like construction, sponsored by the then king of the princely state of Bharatpur, Maharaja Suraj Mal. The bund was established at the confluence of the two rivers, Banganga and Gambhir. 

Birds visited the wetland in thousands since then since the marshy land provided an ideal habitat for both resident and migratory birds. Soon, the region served as a major hunting ground for the maharajas of Bharatpur, and they also arranged duck shooting events to please the British officials in the then British India. In one such event in 1938, nearly 4,273 birds including mallards and teals were shot by Lord Linlithgow, the then British Governor General of India.

In 1982, the Government of the newly independent India realized the importance of the wetland as a significant habitat for birds and declared the part as a national park of India on March 10, 1982. Prior to this, the area was designated as a bird sanctuary on March 13, 1976. The site was also inscribed as a Ramsar Site in October 1981. Till 1972, the Maharajah of Bharatpur retained shooting rights in the sanctuary. In 1985, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grazing was banned at the national park in 1982 which led to a violent fight between the locals and the government.

Geography Of The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

The Keoladeo National Park is located in eastern Rajasthan where it lies 2km south-east of Bharatpur and 55 km to the west of Agra city. The sanctuary encompasses 29 square km area. The wetland system encompassing a variety of microhabitats with trees, dykes, and open water constitute the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Submerged and emergent plants are found in the wetlands and grasses, scattered trees, and shrubs form the landscape of the uplands in the national park. 

Flora At The Keoladeo National Park

The Keoladeo National Park has 379 species of flowering plants of which 96 are wetland species. Tropical dry deciduous forests and dry grasslands cover the greatest part of the park and shrubs, and medium-sized trees occupy the non-forested areas. The park is flooded during the monsoon season, but for the rest of the year, only about 10 square km of the area exists as an effective wetland. 

Fauna Of The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

The macro-invertebrates like molluscs, insects, and worms occur in abundance in the park and form an important park of the food chain, serving as food for the birds and fishes living in the Ghana National Park. There are 43 species of fish in the park of which 37 are migratory, and 6 are resident species. The fish constitute an important food source for the birds of the Keoladeo National Park. Seven species of turtles, five species of lizards, seven amphibian and thirteen snake species also call the park their home. On a sunny day in winter, one can easily spot a python basking in the sun. Bi-colored leaf-nose bat, Indian porcupine, and monitor lizards also often share the burrow with the python. 

Cobras, kraits, and Russel’s viper are venomous snakes that live in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Small carnivores like the striped hyena, jackal, Bengal fox, Indian mongoose, fishing cat, Indian civet, palm civet, and a few others are also sighted at the park. Blackbucks, chital, nilgai, hog deer, sambhar are some of the ungulates living in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

The Primary Attraction: Birds Of The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

The Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is a perfect haven for birds. Migratory birds from different parts of the world arrive at the park during the winter season. Migratory waterfowl converge here before they depart again to the western Palearctic for breeding. The critically endangered Siberian crane also uses this park as its only wintering home in India. The waterfowl and wading birds that can be commonly sighted at the park include comb duck, little cormorant, common teal, painted stork, oriental ibis, common sandpiper, great cormorant, gadwall, herons, storks, and others.

The landbirds that live in the park includes babblers, warblers, bulbuls, chats, quails, bee-eaters, Indian gray hornbill, and others. The birds of prey living in the park include ospreys, imperial eagles, spotted eagles, peregrine, crested serpent eagle, and others.

Best Time To Visit The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is open throughout the year. However, migratory birds are best sighted from November to February and resident birds are best sighted between August and November.

How To Visit The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

Keoladeo National Park can be easily reached from Delhi and Jaipur by road and rail transport.

Nearest Airport: Delhi (4 h 7 min ; 209.8 km) and Jaipur 2 h 58 min (186.6 km).

Nearest Railway Station: Bharatpur Junction (5 km).

Regular bus services from Bharatpur to Delhi, Agra, Mathura, Jaipur, etc., are also available.

Where To Stay At The Of Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

If you are looking forward to experience the best on your tour of the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, then you need to stay at the Laxmi Vilas Palace, a palace turned into a heritage hotel in Bharatpur. Read about the Laxmi Vilas Palace hotel here: 

http://oishimaya.blogspot.in/2016/12/laxmi-vilas-palace-luxury-retreat-at.html

There are several other hotels and resorts in Bharatpur which you can select. 

Guide At The Keoladeo National Park:


There are several ways to tour the Keoladeo National Park. You can take rickshaws from the entry gate of the park. Each rickshaw carries two adults and costs INR 100 per hour. The park management has trained the rickshaw pullers to act as guides in the park. If you need further and expert help, you can also book an appointment with a naturalist who will accompany you at the park and help you spot and identify birds at the national park. The naturalist charges around Rs. 900/- to Rs. 1,000 per trip. You can also ask your naturalist to bring a telescope at an extra hire cost of Rs. 350/- per trip for better viewing of the birds at the park. 

If you are staying at the Laxmi Vilas Palace Hote, they will provide you with expert naturalists for the tour. 

Places In And Around The Keoladeo National Park  (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary)

Bharatpur is located at a strategic tourist location with a number of India’s major tourist attractions in and around the city. Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort is just one and a half hours drive from Bharatpur. Fatehpur Sikri, another UNESCO World Heritage Site can be reached by a half an hour drive from the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Mathura and Vrindavan are major Hindu pilgrimage sites located near Bharatpur. Several forts, palaces, and other historical and heritage sites are located in and around Bharatpur.

For more information on touring Bharatpur and booking appointments with expert naturalists, place your queries in the comments section below. Will try to answer you as quickly as possible.

Visiting Jantar Mantar: UNESCO World Heritage Site In Jaipur, India

Where Is Jantar Mantar?

Jantar Mantar is a historical monument located in the Jaipur city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The site hosts 19 architectural astronomical instruments. The Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in the vicinity of the City Palace of Jaipur and the Hawa Mahal. 

History Of Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar was the brainchild of Sawai Jai Singh, a Rajput king, and was completed in 1734 CE. Sawai Jai Singh was a scholarly man and an able ruler. Under his rule and wise decisions, his kingdom flourished well. He founded the city of Jaipur. 

In 1719, Jai Singh witnessed a noisy discussion at the court of Muhammad Shah, a Mughal Emperor. The debate was on how astronomical calculations could be made to determine the most auspicious date for the Mughal Emperor to begin one of his journeys. During this discussion, Jai Singh understood that education on astronomy was a must and a proper means to impart this education was needed. Despite foreign invasions, turmoils, and wars, Jai Singh found enough time to build astronomical observatories that would continue to inspire the awe of millions for centuries.

The king built five observatories in the Indian cities of Jaipur, Mathura, Delhi, Benares, and Ujjain. The astronomical instruments at the observatories were the most accurate and best ones of the time and built primarily on the concept provided in the Hindu Vedas.

Wonders Of Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar houses 19 stone and brass astronomical instruments. These instruments were built on the principles mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts with some external influence. The Ptolemaic positional astronomy system is reflected in the Jantar Manta’s design. 

The Chakra Yantra at the observatory gives the declination of the sun at four different points in the day, and its data corresponds to noon at four observatories around the world. The Dakshin Bhitti Yantra measures altitude, meridian, and celestial bodies’ zenith distances. The Dhruva Darshak Pattika helps to measure the Pole Star’s location relative to other celestial bodies. The Vrihat Samrat Yantra is the largest gnomon sundial in the world. Similarly, other instruments at Jantar Mantar provide further information on astronomy. 

Things To See And Do

After touring the Jantar Mantar, one can also exclusively tour the other major attractions in Jaipur including the Jaipur City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, numerous temples, and more.

Best Time To Visit Jantar Mantar
November to February is generally regarded as the best time to visit Jaipur.
The summer months must be avoided as temperatures are extremely high. 

The link below further describes the best time to visit Jaipur:
http://www.jaipur-travel-guide.com/Jaipur-guide/when-visit-Jaipur.html

Where To Stay In Jantar Mantar
Jaipur is a major tourist destination in India and is known for its centuries-old forts, palaces, and temples. Thus, the city also hosts a large number of hotels, lodges, and homestays that range from luxurious ones to budget stays. 

Interestingly, many old forts, palaces, and havelis in Jaipur have been turned into hotels, and one can stay at such locations to experience the true sense of Indian royalty. 

One such hotel stay has been mentioned below:

Hotel Umaid Bhawan
http://www.umaidbhawan.com/picture_gallery.htm

How To Go To Jantar Mantar?
To visit Jantar Mantar, one needs to visit Jaipur, the Indian city hosting the Jantar Mantar and several other historical attractions. 

The city has all modern means of communication including an international airport that receives flights from many international destinations and major Indian cities. Jaipur also is well connected by road and rail to neighboring Indian states and their cities.

Visiting Manas National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site In India

Manas National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site In India

Where Is Manas National Park?

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of India, the Manas National Park is located in the Himalayan foothills in the northeastern state of Assam in India. The national park is also a Project Tiger Reserve, a biosphere reserve as well as an elephant reserve. Manas National Park is contiguous with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park. The region is famous for the rich biodiversity and rare and endemic flora and fauna.

Geography Of Manas National Park

The Manas National Park can be divided into three ranges, the western Panbari, the eastern Bhuiyapara near Pathsala, and the central Bansbari near Barpeta Road. The ranges are not well-connected since dense forest, and criss-crossing rivers act as barriers to movement. The Manas National Park is located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. The Manas, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra, is the major river flowing through the western part of the park. Five other rivers also snake their way through the park. The bedrock in the north of the Manas National Park is of sandstone and limestone while fine alluvium covers the south of the park. The park encompasses an area of 950 square km and is 61 to 110 m above sea level.

History Of Manas National Park

The forests in the Manas National Park region was initially part of two reserved forests, the Manas Reserved Forest and the North Kamrup Reserve Forest. The reserve forests served as the hunting grounds of the royal family of Cooch Behar and Raja of Gauripur. On October 1, 1928, a region of 360 square km in the reserve forest was declared a sanctuary. IN 1973, the Manas Bioreserve was created, and in 1985, the region was designated as a World Heritage Site. In 1990, the Manas National Park that included the Manas Bioreserve, Kahitama Reserve Forest, the Kokilabari Reserve Forest, and the Panbari Reserve Forest was established. The national park was declared as endangered by UNESCO in 1992 due to rampant terrorist and poaching activities in the park. On June 21, 2011, the Manas National Park was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger and the management was praised for their commendable efforts at maintaining the integrity of the park and protecting its wildlife.

Flora Of The Manas National Park

Nature has endowed Manas National Park with a wide variety of vegetation types. The northern parts of the park are covered by Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests. More than 50% of the land area of the park is covered with Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands. Other ecosystems of the Manas National Park include Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland, and the East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests. The core zone of the national park houses about 543 plant species. 

Fauna Of The Manas National Park

The Manas National Park has a rich faunal biodiversity that included about 55 mammalian species, 380 avian species, 50 reptilians, and three amphibian species. 31 species of mammals inhabiting the park are threatened. Indian elephants, Indian rhinoceros, Asian water buffaloes, Indian leopards, tigers, golden langurs, hog deer, black panthers, sambar deer, sloth bears, etc., are some of the notable animals of the Manas National Park. Some of the endemic species found in the park include the golden langur, pygmy hog, the Assam roofed turtle, and the hispid hare. 450 species of birds inhabit the Manas National Park including the endangered Bengal florican. Other notable birds of the forest include great hornbills, brahminy ducks, egrets, fishing eagles, ospreys, herons, and more.

Things To See And Do At The Manas National Park

Elephant safari and jeep safari are the two ways to watch the wildlife of the national park. Several watchtowers scattered across the park also offer wildlife viewing opportunity. Birdwatching is another popular activity to be enjoyed at Manas National Park. 

Besides the forest, those interested in adventure sports can go river rafting on the waters of the Manas River. 

The history loves can also cross the river to visit the Summer Palace of the King of Bhutan. It is also possible to visit a quaint Bhutanese village without crossing the river by driving through a narrow winding mountainous road to Panbang in Bhutan. 

Where To Stay?

The best place to stay in the Manas National Park is undoubtedly the government’s forest rest house located at a prime location deep within the park on the banks of the Manas River. Read in details about this forest rest house: 

http://oishimaya.blogspot.in/2016/04/upper-mathanguri-and-lower-mathanguri.html

There are also other resorts and hotels at other locations outside the park.

Best Time To Visit The Manas National Park

The Manas National Park experiences a minimum temperature of around 15 degrees C and a maximum of about 37 degrees C. The region receives heavy rainfall between the months of May and September and the average annual rainfall is around 333 cm.

The best season to visit the Manas National Park is between the months of November and April. The park remains closed from June to September and is partially open in May and October. The opening and closing hours of the Manas National Park vary slightly with season with sunrise and sunset timings.

How To Visit?

Guwahati Airport is the nearest airport from the Manas National Park and is about 180 km away (5 hrs drive) from the park. The Guwahati Airport has regular flights operating from all major metropolitan cities of India. 

Manas National Park can also be reached via other roads:
Siliguri to Manas National Park: approx. 326 km
Kaziranga National Park to Manas National Park: approx. 335 km
Bagdogra Airport to Manas National Park: approx. 401 km

Regular trains from major metropolitan cities of India operate in the Guwahati Railway station. The Barpeta Railway Station is nearest to the Manas National Park 

Visiting Hampi: UNESCO World Heritage Site Of India

Google’s most searched historical place in Karnataka, a destination that will inspire your awe, make you wonder about the architectural and engineering marvels of first century India, Hampi, India’s UNESCO World Heritage Site must be part of your bucket list of things to see. Here, you will find information about Hampi, its wonders, and things to see and do.

Where Is Hampi?

Hampi is a temple town and village located in the Indian state of Karnataka.  The town is located on the banks of the River Tungabhadra and is 353 km away from the state’s capital city of Bangalore. 

History Of Hampi

 The first settlements in Hampi date from 1 CE when it was part of the Vijayanagara Empire. Prior to the occupation of Hampi by the Vijayanagara kings, chiefs of Kampili ruled the region. Hampi was one of the biggest, most prosperous, and advanced settlements of its time during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire between 1343 and 1565 after which it was besieged by the Deccan Muslim confederacy. During the rule of Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi was part of the city of Vijayanagara, the capital city of the Empire. The empire boasted of a 2 million strong army and a population of 500,000 inhabitants in around 1,500 AD. After its decline, Hampi was forgotten and left in ruins till its rediscovery by Colonel Colin Mackenzie in 1800. Some evidence indicates that the region in and around Hampi was part of the Maurya Empire during the 3rd century.

Architecture Of Hampi

As mentioned before, Hampi is part of the Vijayanagara city that is associated with seven lines of fortifications. The inner fortification is the best preserved and has numerous gateways and bastions. Several ancient military, religious, and civil buildings dot the city. The several Hindu and Jain temples, the audience hall of the king, the king's balance are some of the most notable structures among them. Though most of the historical monuments were built during the rule of the Vijayanagara kings, two Devi shrines and some structures in the Virupaksha temple and the Hemakuta Hills Jain temples were built even earlier. 

Temples of Hampi are known for their massive size, delicate yet bold carvings, florid ornamentation, stately pillars and pavilions, and more. The place is of immense importance for historians and lovers of the subject and contains traditional and iconographic depictions of subjects related to ancient Indian mythology and customs. It also depicts the ancient Indian way of life, the people of the time and their belief systems. 

The temple complex of Hampi displays the praiseworthy aesthetic sense of the kings and architects of the time. It also reminds one of the prosperity of ancient India and the luxurious life led by Indian royals. 

Hampi As A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Thus, keeping in mind the high historical and cultural value of Hampi, the UNESCO declared Hampi as a World Heritage Site in 1986. Between 1999 and 2006, Hampi was declared as an endangered site and was in need of repair and resurrection. However, soon the Indian government took the help of international organizations like the  Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and  Cornell University which in collaboration with the Hampi Foundation undertook the difficult task of restoring Hampi to its full glory.

List Of Places To See In Hampi

Temples Of Hampi
Virupaksha Temple 
Vittala Temple Complex
Achyutaraya Temple
BadaviLinga 
Chandramauleshwara Temple
Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple
Hazara Rama Temple Complex
Jain Temple
Krishna Temple Complex
Prasanna Virupaksha Temple
Yantrodharaka Anjaneya 

Civil Buildings Of Hampi
Aqueducts and Canals
Lotus Mahal
Archaeological Museum at Kamalapura
Zanana enclosure

Military Buildings Of Hampi
Elephant stables
The Kings’ balance

Important Sites At And Near Hampi

Anegondi
Anjeyanadri Hill
Kadalekalu Ganesha
Lake (Near Sanapur)
Tungabhadra River
Uddana Veerabhadra temple
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha
Virupapura Gaddi
Yeduru Basavanna
Talarigatta Gate
Bhim'a Gate
Tenali Rama Pavilion

Best Time To Visit Hampi

August to March is the best time to visit Hampi. The summer months in Hampi are extremely hot and must be avoided, if possible. 

How To Reach Hampi

Hospet, at a distance of 13 km, is the nearest railhead from Hampi. Hospet is well connected to the major cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc.