Sariska Tiger Reserve/ Sariska National Park at a distance of 36 km from Alwar, 111 km from Jaipur & 195 km from New Delhi, Sariska Tiger Reserve is a popular national park and wildlife refuge located at Sariska in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. It is one of the best places to visit near Delhi & also one of the popular tourist places in Rajasthan.
Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of Rajasthan’s popular wildlife destinations. Formerly a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar, the park was declared as a wildlife reserve in 1955 and then a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under Project Tiger. Sariska is among the 28 Tiger reserves in the country and it is spread across an area of 850 sq. km with core area of approximately 500 sq. km. Sariska has varied topography that includes grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs and rocky landscape. The Aravalli mountain ranges surround the park which is covered with thick forests.
This reserve is famous for Bengal tigers along with many species of wildlife like leopard, jungle cat, caracal, striped hyena, Indian jackal, chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope and wild boar. Sariska is also famous for bird watching with some of the rarest feathered species like grey partridge, white-throated kingfisher, Indian peafowl, bush quail, sand grouse, treepie, golden-backed woodpecker, crested serpent eagle and the Indian eagle-owl.
Within the sanctuary there is the Kankwari Fort which attracts many tourists. The sanctuary also houses Neelkanth Mahadeva, Bhartrihari Temple and Pandupol. It is believed that Pandava brothers spent time here during their exile period. There is an old Hanuman Temple in Pandupol built by Saint Nirbhaya Das Ji which attracts large number of devotees.
The best way to explore Sariska Sanctuary is by jeep which can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the Reserve. Visitors are advised to make online booking in advance for safari. Sariska Palace in the park has now been turned into a heritage hotel.
Best time to visit Sariska Park is from November to March. The park is open throughout the year for pilgrims to visit Pandupol, but wildlife visits are closed in monsoon between July- September.