Sariska Tiger Reserve

Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar (celebrated across global conservation circles as one of India's most famous, ecologically vital, and historic Project Tiger wildlife reserves, world renowned as the first national park on Earth to successfully relocate and repopulate wild Royal Bengal Tigers using airborne wildlife helicopters in 2008), situated in the rugged Aravalli mountain valleys 35 km southwest of Alwar in Rajasthan, is one of Northern India's supreme safari and wilderness destinations.

Spanning an expansive 881 square kilometers of dry deciduous dhok forests, rugged rocky plateaus, acacia scrublands, and scenic water gorges, this former royal hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Alwar was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, included in Project Tiger in 1978, and elevated to national park status in 1982.

It's the home of over 30 flourishing Royal Bengal Tigers, thriving populations of Indian leopards, striped hyenas, caracals, golden jackals, jungle cats, sambar deer (the largest concentration in India), spotted deer (chital), nilgai, wild boars, four horned antelopes (chausingha), and crested serpent eagles, the historic 17th century hilltop citadel of Kankwari Fort where Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned his elder brother Prince Dara Shikoh, the sacred ancient Pandupol Hanuman Temple hidden within a sheer cliffside canyon formed by Bhima's legendary mace strike, the 10th century Neelkanth Mahadev temple ruins with erotic Khajuraho style sandstone sculptures, and an intensely thrilling safari atmosphere where open top 4x4 gypsies track fresh tiger pugmarks across sun dappled teak forests.

It represents a rich Project Tiger conservation triumph, Aravalli biodiversity, and eco tourism wilderness where Royal Bengal tigers, Kankwari Mughal fortresses, Pandupol waterfalls, and open gypsy safaris unite in Sariska Tiger Reserve Alwar.

Located on the Alwar Jaipur Highway (SH 13), it sits just 35 km from Alwar Junction (AWR), 110 km from Jaipur International Airport (JAI), 200 km from Delhi IGI Airport (DEL), and 35 km from Siliserh Lake Palace, easily accessible by open safari gypsies, canter buses, and private taxis.

The 2008 Tiger Relocation Miracle & Safari Zones

After poaching depleted local tigers in the early 2000s, Rajasthan Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India executed a pioneering airlift operation transferring breeding tigers from Ranthambore.

Today, Sariska's tiger population has rebounded beyond 30 individuals, divided across multiple accessible safari routes (Zone 1 to Zone 4) offering exceptional wildlife sighting records.

Truth is, hearing the sharp alarm call of a sambar deer echoing through the silent dhok valley right before a tiger steps onto the dirt track is pure adrenaline.

Historic Kankwari Fort & Dara Shikoh's Prison

Kankwari Fort: Situated deep inside the core safari zone on an isolated hilltop, this 17th century fortress was built by Maharaja Jai Singh I of Amber and was used by Aurangzeb to exile Dara Shikoh.

Neelkanth Temple: A cluster of over 300 ruined 10th century stone shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Jain Tirthankaras hidden in the mountain forests near Rajgarh.

Pandupol Waterfall & Mahabharata Legends

Pandupol Gorge: According to the Mahabharata epic, Pandava prince Bhima smashed the mountain cliff with his mace to create a passage, where a natural spring and Hanuman shrine now stand.

Siliserh Link: Visitors frequently combine a morning Sariska tiger safari with an afternoon lakeside lunch at the historic Siliserh Lake Palace nearby.

After exploring Sariska Tiger Reserve, visit the lakeside palace at Siliserh Lake, tour the ruined township of Bhangarh Fort, or admire Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri in Alwar.