Bandhavgarh is not just another tiger reserve in India. This national park has its own history of royalty, mythology, and some of the legendary tigers which gained attention of both tourists and wildlife photographers. From a gift by Lord Rama to his brother, Bandhavgarh is itself a legend transformed as a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Rewa. It is the epitome of successful conservation efforts making world record in having highest density of tigers in the world. This blog will also discuss the stories of some of the legendary tigers like Charger, Sita, and B2 who made global recognition with wildlife documentaries.
Bandhavgarh National Park History
Before being a wildlife sanctuary, Bandhavgarh was a private hunting ground for the Maharajas of Rewa. It was swarming with tigers and other game, where royals used to go hunting with their chief guests like British dignitaries and officers. Ironically, this princely collaboration also led to conservation of wildlife. As Bandhavgarh was reserved only for royal hunting, a huge coverage of forest remained untouched and raw for growing flora and fauna.
Bandhavgarh Mythology
Bandhavgarh is named after Bandhavgarh Fort, which itself is derived from two Sanskrit words – Bandhav (means brother) and Garh (means fort). Legends had it that this fort was gifted to Lakshmana when Lord Rama won the battle of Lanka. Standing tall over the canopy of jungle, Bandhavgarh Fort stands with crumbling walls in silent grandeur. The rocks in the fort are carved with ten avatars of Lord Vishnu to add to spiritual edge to the jungle.
Tiger Conservation efforts in Bandhavgarh
Making Bandhavgarh a tiger reserve is one of the best efforts for tiger conservation India. Tigers were almost extinct by the late 1960s due to endless human infringement and poaching. Indian government took this alarming situation into cognizance and initiated serious efforts to save tigers. Bandhavgarh became national park in 1968, which adds to the turning point for conservation of wilderness as a whole. Bandhavgarh became the part of flagship initiative, Project Tiger, led by Indira Gandhi (former Prime Minister of India) in 1973.
Famous Bandhavgarh Tigers
Here comes the main part. In Bandhavgarh, tigers are not just Big Cats. They are souls of the jungle with their own stories and legacies left in their pugmarks on trails. Every tiger in Bandhavgarh has its name, story, and personality. Some tigers ran dynasties and some ruled as if these jungles were their civilizations.
Here are some of the unforgettable Bandhavgarh legends –
Charger
The unsurpassed king of Bandhavgarh, Charger was a legend. He used to charge at the vehicles out of his curiosity, not aggression. He was known to leave unforgettable presence in the minds of visitors. He had breathtaking charisma and presence to rule over the Tala zone as a true leader.
Sita
The graceful queen of the jungle, Sita was the fearless, photogenic tigress who once became the part of National Geographic’s cover page. She was the most popular tigress in the world. She became the queen for raising various cubs while fighting the hardships in the harsh land like a warrior. She was truly adaptable to every situation and became the role model to other tigresses in the jungle. Another specialty of Sita was that she used to pause for visitors so they can watch her closely before she crosses tracks. Before calling the cubs, she used to scan the landscape for any threat.
B2 – The Lovable Giant
Tigers are known to be dominant creatures. But the son of legendary Charger and Sita, B2 was charming. He was muscular, broad-shouldered, and huge. He was also a calm and big-hearted giant at the same time. He never been aggressive to safari vehicles as if he knew that humans love him. He spread his genes to several cubs for around a decade as a tourist-loving tiger.
Bamera
Born in the shadows of B2, Bamera was the prince who ruled the buffer zones away from spotlight. He was quite a shy creature who matured into a big, bold, and tough male. He moved to main territories eventually and challenged his rivals to expand his dominion. When B2 was known for his endless charm and his grandfather, Charger, was known for his rage, Bamera became famous for his cunningness. He used to take calculated risks with his strength and sharp mind.
Overall, Bandhavgarh is a nature’s paradise where mythology, wildlife, and memory interlock and make it a complete tiger reserve. Its history of conservation efforts is a testimony of time and journey from a hunting reserve to a wildlife sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Bandhavgarh a famous tiger reserve?
Along with rich mythology, history, and wilderness, Bandhavgarh national park is known for its legendary tigers like Charger, Sita, Bamera, and B2.
When Bandhavgarh was declared as a national park?
Bandhavgarh became a national park in the year 1968.
What mythology makes Bandhavgarh special?
Bandhavgarh National Park is named after Bandhavgarh Fort which was gifted by Lord Rama himself to his brother Lakshmana after winning the battle of Lanka.
Why Bandhavgarh becomes significant for tiger conservation?
Bandhavgarh is the live example of changing approach of Indian Government for making it a wildlife sanctuary from a royal hunting ground.
