Sawai Madhopur
About Sawai Madhopur
Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line, Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to the
world renowned Ranthambhor National Park- the famous Tiger Reserve, just 12 km away
from here.
The name Ranthambore is derived from two hills in the area, Ran and Thanbhor. Another
version says that Ranthambore was once called Rana Stambhapura or City of the Pillars
of War.
It is located near Sawai Madhour township about 100 kms south east of Ajmer in Rajasthan,
where the Vindhayas and the Aravalli Hills meet.
Ranthambhor has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a series
of battle scenes. In the 13th century A.D. Govinda, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan
took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagabhatta, beautified the
city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain.
In the middle of the 15th century A.D. Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted
it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors
Akbar and Aurangazeb.
Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in
1754 and since then it was maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen
Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting who stayed
here.
Tourist Attractions in Sawai Madhopur
The Fort:
The history of Sawai Madhopur revolves around the Ramthambhor fort. Surrounded by
Vindhyas and Aravalis, amidst vast and arid denuded tracts of Rajasthan, lies the
oasis of biomass in an ecological desert.
Ranthambhors royal past manifests itself in the well-preserved imposing fort, built
in 994 A.D. atop a steep high creek 200 metre above sea level.
...more on
Ramthambhor Fort in Sawai Madhopur
Ranthambhor Ganesh Temple:
Ganesha Temple is major attraction of the Sawai Madhopur, thousands of people come
from every corner of the country come over here, and seek blessings from the Lord
for happiness and prosperity.
One interesting aspect is the mail that is sent to Lord Ganesha consisting mainly
of wedding invitations. A fair is held on Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi over here.
Ranthambore National Park:
The Ranthambore National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal, in the south, and
Banas, in the north. It was established as a sanctuary in 1959 and included in the
very first phase of Project Tiger in 1972.
In 1981 Ranthambore was awarded National Park status. Characterized by rocky plains,
flat hilltops, gentle slopes and precipitous cliffs, covered by dry deciduous forests.
Ranthambore is virtually an island rich in flora and fauna
...more on
Ranthambore in Sawai Madhopur
How To Reach Sawai Madhopur
Fly Away: The airport nearest to Sawai Madhopur is Jaipur, 175 km away. The
Jaipur airport is the nearest one to Ranthambore National Park, lying nearly 145
km away.
On Tracks: The city is connected to Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities
in western India by rail. For Ranthambore National park, Sawai Madhopur Railway
Station is the nearest one, lying at a distance of 11km.
On Wheels: From Jaipur to Ranthambore there are regular bus services that
take about four hours. From Sawai Madhopur buses ply on regular basis to all the
major destinations in Rajasthan and India.
Where To Stay in Sawai Madhopur
Please visit our exclusive section on
Hotels in Sawai Madhopur
to find the best accommodation in Sawai Madhopur.
Where To Shop in Sawai Madhopur
There are many stores in Sawai Madhopur that offer arts and crafts to tourists.
You can buy T-shirts, postcards, posters and greeting cards with images of tigers
and other wild animals and birds of Ranthambore.
Locally made textiles, clothing decorated with traditional embroidery and mirrors
and Rajasthani turbans, puppets and other handicraft items make interesting souvenirs
to take back as memories of your trip to Ranthambore and the tourist attractions
near Ranthambore National Park.
