Rajasthan represents the ultimate confluence of history, chivalry, romance, rugged natural beauty and colour. As Col. James Todd, the celebrated writer once wrote:

"Rajasthan exhibits the sole example in the history of mankind of a people withstanding every outrage barbarity can inflict or human nature sustain, and bent to the earth, yet rising buoyant from the pressure and making calamity a whetstone to courage"

Today, long years after the last bugle was sounded, and after the warring kingdoms of erstwhile Rajputana, sheathed their swords, the desert appears romantic, its arts, the expression of a brave yet sensitive race, its architecture the embodiment of strength and grace. It is as if, in celebration of life itself.

While an age has come to pass, cities flourish and contemporary Rajasthan is an explosion of colour and paegentry. It is the ultimate destination offering something to suit the tastes of every single different traveller.
Earlier, the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Park at Ranthambore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day, at their normal pursuits - hunting and taking care of their young. With the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they seem quite accustomed to human activity and are not disturbed by it. A good time to visit is between November and April when the nature of the dry deciduous forest makes sightings common. Visit "Ranthambhore National Park"

Ranthambhore has large numbers of Sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle - the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The lakes and pools at the Park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile.

Jacanas, painted stork, black stork, and white necked stork are seen along the water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance and other birds include Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, the great Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spur fowl and the paradise flycatcher.

The Park which covers an area of 392 sq. km is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The terrain is rugged and there are rocky ridges, hills and open valleys with lakes and pools.

Ranthambhore's royal past manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the Park. There are lake palaces, chhatris, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year old fort on a height overlooking the park. The forest rest house at the foot of the Ranthambhore fort is located in the lovely Jogi Mahal. It overlooks a tank -the pretty Padam Talao, afloat with water lilies.