Bandhavgarh and Its Wondrous Ruins

Central India is a natural retreat for nature lovers. The surging mountain of Vindhyan ranges in Central India is one such natural retreat covered with lush forests and mountainous valleys. And cooped among their laps and folds is the Bandhavgarh - a prime reserve for Tigers.

Bandhavgarh is one of India's major tiger reserves, where the big jungle cats roam about in absolute natural wilderness of the dense forests, where their favorite meal-Sambhar, Spotted Deer and wild Boar are found in abundance. Bandhavgarh also takes pride in the ruinous ancient forts and other places, where ancient civilization has given way to sheltering many a wild beast.

The Bandhavgarh Fort is a man-made wonder, situated on a mountaintop; this majestic fort once ruled the wilderness and its habitats. Local people of this area are in total awe of this forbidding fort, it is rumored that the fort is filled with valuable treasure chests and the spirits of the dead kings and their lineage guard the fort and its secrets from public eye. The Fort, which was constructed almost 2000 years back, is now in a ruinous state. According to Hindu mythology, it is suggested that the Fort was a gift from Lord Rama to his dearest brother Laxman. Even the name of the Fort Bhandavgarh literally means a brother's house.

This reserve holds old architectural monuments like ancient arcades, temples and its many chipped idols. The prairie grasses nod their heads and stand tall surveying the quaint landscape and its historical romance with the wild nature around. You may view the surrounding panorama of hills, valleys and rivers standing on a mountain edge. The eerie silence of the place is broken occasional by a rustling in the bushes, indicating that the majestic tiger may be lurking among the tall grasses for prey. You may also hear the cry of an animal or screeching of the birds from the blue sky. There are numerous caves, which was made by our ancestors for serving as guard posts, but now they are habitats of bats and an occasional tigress with her cubs.

The very ancient Ram Janki temple on a cliff is said to be as old as the main Fort. The royal priest still does his duties and pays obligations to the idol of Lord Vishnu. There is a Jamun grove near the temple ruin, which shelters this divine shrine. The celebrated story of Shri Ram or Ramayana has historical evidence in this forested land. The mountain is full of old temples that have been ruined by time, they are dedicated to various deities in the Hindu mythology. Apart from them there are many tanks and man-made water canals in this wild expanse. There is a marvelous statue of the reclining Vishnu in his famous Shaiyya or sleeping pose. Amidst the natures lap, near an ancient pool, this man-made wonder carved out of a single rock and almost 20 feet lengthwise, is an imposing form, you may feel the rock form is alive and watching the wonders of mother nature and her wild children. This divine rock form lies on the way to the Fort.