Illustrious Ambience

Chronicles of Rajasthan

Virasat endeavours to reprise every small detail of the lifestyle of the Rajput rulers. Food, dining, travelling, music, dance, culture, art and craft - it touches all aspects of the royal era to give its visitors an experience they treasure for a life time.

Ranthambore National Park

This Virasat SheeshMahal's post will take you on a journey to the mighty Ranthambore National Park. It is famous world over for its Tiger Safari and the Ranthambore Fort. 

The Wild World

Known for its beauty, diversity of wildlife and as a best place to spot the wild tigers Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary is a fascinating blend of history and nature. Once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, it stands out conspicuously in a vast arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 km from the town of Sawai Madhopur. It is spread over a highly undulating topography, varying from gentle to steep slopes to flat-topped hills. Inside the park is a formidable fort that was built in the 10th century and coveted by many rulers due to its strategic position between north and central India, the Ranthambore Fort. This 1000-year-old fort, is one of the oldest forts of Rajasthan, atop a high hill, stands tall at the heart of the Park. Remains of historical past - cenotaphs, tombs, stepped wells, summer palaces etc, have all merged harmoniously into the sprawling forest. Mehrangarh Fort is also world famous for its spectacular architecture.

    The park itself is situated at the joining of the Vindhya Plateau and the Aravali Hills, and is characterized by rocky plains and steep cliffs. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including around 30 tigers and plenty of other wildlife to see including more than 300 species of birds. One of India’s largest national parks at 1,334 square kilometres it probably is the most famed places to see tigers in India. Ranthambore is favorite of wildlife photographers too. Rajasthan’s scenic beauty is well known for candid photography, folk dance and daal baati choorma. Know about 12 Most Delicious Dishes from the Rajasthani Platter.
    The Government of India declared it as ‘Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary’ in 1955 which later on transferred under the ‘Project Tiger’ in 1973 keeping in view the dwindling number of tigers in the country. And from there onwards the surrounding of Ranthambore Fort became Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with a ban on animals poaching and hunting. In 1980, 282 sq km of the reserve was changed into a national park while the adjacent forest areas were named under Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary. But in 1991, the national park was expanded to 392 sq km by including some of the parts of both Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries.

 Ranthambore National Park is considered as one of the best places to spot tigers along with others like leopard, hyena, wild boar, sambar and chital. The park is also the place that bears one of India’s largest banyan trees. A drive around 130 km from Jaipur will take you to this amazing land of wildlife. Doing a great work towards the reservation of the national animal of the country, there is still a lot that has to be
done into this direction.

Best Time To Visit


The most animals are seen during the months of November and May when they come out in search of water and can be caught strolling in the park. Rajasthan Tourism makes special arrangement for the tourists at this time.

 Ranthambore used to be a part of central forests of India but due to relentless deforestation in the country and declining of forest lands it got separated from the central forests. It supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including around 30 tigers. It is juxtaposed on the plains that lie towards the north of Chambal river and west of Banas river that gives the living species of animals pretty natural environment and habitat to live and breathe. The breeding of any tigress here is nothing less than an occasion for the officers and workers at the national park. The park is open from sunrise until sunset. Safaris run for two and a half hours from 7 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. The core zones are closed from July 1 to October 1 due to the monsoon rain. However, the remaining zones on the outskirts of the park stay open for safaris. They're not good for spotting tigers though.

Virasat Sheesh Mahal is a famous place to visit in Jaipur where you get royal safari experience by live music, folk dance, Rajasthani thali,. Surprise your fiancé with a pre wedding photoshoot or enjoy the live music with your family.