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The
picturesque Siliserh
Lake lies along the edge
of the Sariska Tiger
Reserve and a charming
hunting lodge
overlooking it, is a
marvellous place for
visitors to stay. The
dry deciduous forests of
the ancient Aravalli
range are excellent
tiger country and
Sariska was once of the
royal reserve of the
rulers of Alwar.
Declared a sanctuary in
1955, it became a Tiger
Reserve in 1979 under
project Tiger. Herds of
sambar, chital, nilgai
and sounders of wild
boar - the prey
population for predators
like the tiger and
leopard, roam the 765.80
sq. km. Reserve. Other
carnivores include the
hyena, jungle cat, and
caracal. Interestingly
enough, the dhole or
wild dog has been
sighted in the Park only
in the last few years.
The park has hides
carefully located near
the water holes. These
afford fine
opportunities for
viewing and
photographing wildlife.
Splendid
ruins scattered in the
vicinity of Sariska give
it an added interest.
The Neelkanth temples
(6th-13th century AD)
are just 32 km. From the
Park and the historic
Kankwari Fort inside the
Reserve, is where the
Emperor Aurangzeb once
imprisoned his brother
Dara Shikoh. A splendid
palace complex built in
1902, with a 'French'
pavilion and swimming
pool, is now a hotel. |