Sariska, around 240 km from Delhi in the State of Rajasthan was the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Alwar. Now the main attraction of Sariska is its Wild Life Sanctuary. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the “Project Tiger” as a Sariska tiger reserve in 1979. Though there aren’t amny tigers now, you can see antelope and many species of birds and deer.
The park covers quite a large area of 800 square kilometers, 480 square kilometers of which form the core area of the national park. Due to the presence of monuments of religious importance located within the park boundaries, the park authorities are compelled to keep the park open throughout the year.
Sariska is also deeply steeped in History. You can visit a ruined fortress atop a hillock at Kanwari where Aurangazed had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh. A visit to Neelkanth, a temple town is a must do. The town was built by the Gurjar Pratiharas but was mysteriously submerged under a deluge of sand and rocks centuries ago.
There are over 300 Hindu, Buddhist and Jain temples, many centuries old which are now surrounded by dense forests, alive with wild animals. They are exquisitely carved and chiseled by great craftmen who remained anonymous in the best Indian tradition. A colossal statue of the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parashvanathan, an image of the elephant headed Ganesha with a woman seated on his knee, and a reclining Vishnu, are truly outstanding. A rare image of Vishnu in his “Varaha”(boar) is also a must see.
Distance from Delhi: 240 km
Journey time: 3 ½ hrs by road and 3 hrs + ¾ hr (road) by Rail
Best time to go: Winter months.