SAWAI MADHOPUR : GATEWAY TO THE TIGER'S DEN Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line, Sawai Madhopur is the gateway to the world renowned Ranthambhor National Park - the famous tiger Reserve, just 12 kms. away from here. Ranthambhor has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a series of battle scenes. In the 13th century A.D. Govinda, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagbhatta, beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jain. In the middle of the 15th century A.D., Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Hada Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangazeb. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting parties who stayed here. PRIME SITES: The Fort: Ranthambhor's royal past manifests itself in the well-preserved imposing fort, built in 994 metres above sea steep high creek 200 meters above sea level. Ruined pavilions, walls, chhatris and splendid monuments are interspersed within the majestic fort. An 8 th century A.D. Ganesh temple on an open land attracts thousands of devotees and is the venue for an annual fair held on Bhadrapad Sudi Chaturthi, fourth day of the bright half, in the month of Bhadra. Ranthambhor National Park: The 392 sq. kms. park comprises of dry deciduous forests sprawling over an undulating terrain of the Aravalli and Vindhyan ranges. The park is one of the finest tiger reserves in the country under the Project Tiger. The majestic predators, assured of protection, room freely during the day time and can be seen at close quarters. Ranthambhor sanctuary has a large number of sambhar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, langur, wild boar and peafowl. A system of three pretty artificial lakes- Padam Talab, Rajbagh and Milak Talab, alongwith a number of anicuts are part of the biosphere. Besides enhancing the scenic beauty of the Park, they are an important source of water for the inhabitants of the Park. While deer congregate here to drink water, fresh water crocodiles can be seenbasking in the winter sun o regulate their body temperature. The lake also attracts a large number of migratory and local birds. The local fauna of the Park includes leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, sloth bear and a little population of pythons. The lovely Jogi Mahal overlooking  the pretty Padam Talab at the foot of the fort has a forest Rest House. Other accommodation outside the fort also ensures a comfortable stay.