This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Bandhavgarh.
Bandhavgarh National Park is in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The area has a rich history, with numerous rulers and sages having lived in its many caves. Some of the caves are natural while others are man-made. Badi Gufa is one cave dating back to the 10th century. Others contain inscriptions and carvings in the Brahmi language dating back to the 4th to 9th centuries.
For the budget traveler, there are many economic options available. Bandhavgarh hostels are located near as well as within the national park. The Madhya Pradesh Tourist Department has a forest lodge and the Forest department offers guest houses within the park for a minimal cost. The hostels in Bandhavgarh tend to be called "homes." All of these options are ideally situated for you to explore Bandhavgarh.
The park is the reserve with the most tigers in all of India. It is believed that all white tigers can trace their heritage back to the Bandhavgarh Bengal Tiger. Besides the tigers, Bandhavgarh provides a home for other endangered species including the Chital, Langur, and Indian Bison. Other mammal species you can find here are the Chausingha, Wild Boar, Chinkara, and Nilgai. In addition, there are over 200 bird species and 80 butterfly species within the park as well as numerous flora and fauna.
To see the great biodiversity of Bandhavgarh, you can take a safari in a Jeep or on an elephant's back. Unless prohibited, standing on top of the Climber's Point is another way to get a beautiful view of the park from 13,005 feet high.
Besides animals, plants, and caves, the park also has many statues of Lord Vishnu's different incarnations. Each statue is said to have been created from a single rock. The biggest of these statues is that of Sheshshaiya. Located in the park's Tala zone, it is a 35-foot long, reclined likeness of Lord Vishnu with the seven-hooded snake Shesh Naag.
Another interesting place to visit near the Tala gate is the Baghel Museum where you can see the Mahara of Rewa's personal belongings as well as the stuffed body of the first white tiger he saw. Also, there are photos of many of the park's animals that you might not have been able to spot during the safari. Once you have completed all the activities, you will be happy to see that there are Bandhavgarh hostels right there in the park's Tala zone.
Written by local enthusiast for Bandhavgarh hostels
Jakob Lombardi