| Rajiv Gandhi National Park- |
| About: |
| Nagarhole National Park, also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park,’ is located 94 km from Mysore in Karnataka in Southern India. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. Located to the northwest of Bandipur National Park, Kabini reservoir separates the two. The exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers of Mysore, the park has rich forest cover, small streams, valleys, and waterfalls. It streches over 640 km2, protecting the wildlife of Karnataka. Together with the adjoining Bandipur National Park (870 km2) and Mudumalai National Park (320 km2), it forms the largest protected area in southern India. Elephant, Jackal ,Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Muntjac, Sambar, Spotted deer, Elephant, Mongoose, Civet cat, Hyena, King Cobra, Krait, Python, Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard ,Toads, bee-eater, bulbul, dove, moorhens, Brahmini Kites, Crested Hoopoe and Serpant, Malabar pied Hornbills, Alexandrine, Peacock, paradise Flycatcher, Minivets, Woodpecker, Warbler, Great Indian Reed, Eagle, Crested Hawk and Golden-back ParakeetRenamed as the “Rajiv Gandhi National Park”, Nagarhole National Park, 643.30 sq. km, is part of the 5500 sq km Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is located in the districts of Kodagu & Mysore. This is easily the best habitat for the Asian Elephant. Tigers & leopards roam in this forest. Over 250 species of birds have been identified in this park which lies at the foothills of the towering Western Ghats Mountain Range. |
| The park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Nagarhole, in the Coffee land of Coorg was declared a National park in 1974. It has recently been renamed ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park.’ Gentle slopes and shallow valleys surround it on all sides. You find a variety of trees and shrubs often making it a sanctuary for illegal timber traders. Huge herds of Asian Elephants flock here together and it is blessed with wildlife abundance Among reptiles, the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, rock python and several other species can be found. Aquatic and terrestrial tortoises, frogs, toads and tree frogs and a myriad insects, including some very colourful butterflies, adorn this lovely southern jungle of India.To the south-east lies the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary while to the west, coffee plantations separate the park from Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. This entire stretch is one of the finest remaining habitats of the Asian Elephant. Huge herds hang about in Nagarhole, and it’s said that summer is the best time to see them. It is held that Nagarhole is worth visiting in the dry season, when wild animals are spotted in large numbers near the water bodies but don’t bet your money on it. Successive dry spells have shrivelled the water sources so much that the animals feel content lying in the shade, away from view. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Rajiv Gandhi National Park,Kodagu,Mysore,Karnataka,India |
| District: Mysore |
| Nearest City: Kutta |
| Best time to visit: March and August |
| Climate/Weather: |
| In summer the temperature is usually around 33 °C. Winter lasts from November to January and has the temperature dipping to 04 °C. Generally, it rains from June to September. |
| History: |
| Nagarhole Rajiv Gandhi National Park is 644 sq km in area. In 1974 its area was extended and the Mysore forest was included in the sanctuary. Originally it was a game reserve for the Maharajas of Mysore and was later renamed to Nagarhole Rajiv Gandhi National Park.Marked with deciduous forest the Nagarhole Rajiv Gandhi National Park offers a beautiful landscape to the visitors. As you walk along the pathway led by the guide you may spot pug marks of tigers, panthers, sambars, leopards or chitals. Jungle cats, jackals and wild dogs are often on the prowl. A jeep safari arranged by the forest authorities would take you to the location where you can spot sloth bears, elephants and about 250 species of birds |
| Interesting things to do: |
| Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary’s claim to fame is its huge forest cover that shelters tigers, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, deers, sambhars, wild Indian gaurs and a variety of birds big and small. The only animals that are domesticated to an extent are the elephants, but that too a very small number. You still stand a chance of coming across a wild tusker ambling by. |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
| Great Elephant Show in Rajiva,Gandhi National Park: Nagarhole is among a few wildlife sanctuaries in India, which are considered to be safe haven for elephants. If there is anything you would enjoy watching (besides other things) in the park is the great elephant show. You may see this giant creature ambling lazily with its herd in the lush forests. One of the most social animals in the jungle, elephants roam in heard. They play, frolic, chase each other or simply swim in the river.Nagarhole National Park provides an opportunity to see elephants in the luxuriant forests and bamboo thickets which they enjoy most. The ideal time to visit the Nagarhole National Park is from September to May. As the backwaters of the Kabini Reservoir recede, lush grass crops up and the stage is set for the huge congregation of elephants. The sight is breathtaking, perhaps the only one of its kind in Asia.Other animals in Rajiva,Gandhi National Park: It is not only elephant that draws tourists to the park but a variety of other animals as well. The Nagarhole National Park is also home to tiger, sloth bear and hyena, leopard, wild dog, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar and gaur. The big cat may be as elusive as it is in many national parks across the country but you can certainly get a glimpse of other animals like sambar, wild boar, gaur, wild dog and spotted deer. Other common animals that make wildlife tour to the Nagarhole National Park exciting are the common langur, mongoose, giant squirrel hare and mouse-deer.The Nagarhole National Park has a sizeable population of birds and is a great place for people who enjoy bird-watching. Among the 250 bird species found in the park, the most common are the common bulbul, babbler, bee-eater, crested serpent, dove, hornbill, alexandrine, peacock, woodpecker, Malabar pied, warbler, great Indian reed, crested hawk, eagle, golden-back parakeet, and the southern tree pie.Flora in Rajiva,Gandhi National Park: The predominant vegetation in the Nagarhole National Park is of southern tropical, moist, mixed deciduous type with a substantial eastern portion intergrading into dry deciduous type. The upper tree canpy is dominated by Terminalia tomentosa is association with Tectonia grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Boambax malabaricum, Schleichera trijuga, Ficus sp. and others. The lower canopy has Kydia calycina, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina arborea etc. Several shrubs belonging to Solanum, Desmodium and Helicteres sp. etc. are abundantly found but weedy shrubs like Eupatorium and Lantana now dominate. |
| Mobile range info: |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Nagarhole railway station |
| Nearest Airport:Mysore airport and Bangalore,Mangalore (225 Kms) aiprot |
| Road Transport:By Road 225 Kms from Bangalore,90 Kms from Mysore via Hunsur,80 Kms from Mysore to Jungle Lodges, Karapura via HD Kote Hand Post. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
| Kutta: Located 7 km south of Nagarhole is the town of Kutta, which is named after Kutta, the son of the Goddess Kali. According to a legend that the Goddess Kali came and settled with the low-caste Kurubas, where she had a child. She called him Kutta and the place where he was born was named after him. A festival in their honour is celebrated every year from mid-April to May. Irpu Falls: Irpu Falls: Another nearby place worth visiting from the Nagarhole National Park is the Irpu Falls, 14 km away. The waterfalls lie at the base of the Brahmagiri Range that forms the boundary between Karnataka and Kerala. Irpu acts as a gateway to the range and looks stunning during the monsoons. From Nagarhole, head for Irpu via Kutta.The Ishwara Temple: The Ishwara Temple is another place that you should not miss. It is here Lord Rama himself is believed to have consecrated the shivaling. It is customary to pay your respects here before you take a dip in the Lakshmana Tirtha. A large numbers of people visit the temple during Shivaratri. The temple gates remain closed in the afternoon. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Petrol Pump:Hunsur, Mysore, Karnataka,India petrol pump: aji’s home:edited by janis,Karnataka,India |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
| Hotel Jungle Inn:Veerana Hosahalli,Hunsur-Murkal-Nagarhole Road, Coorg, Karnataka.,Ph:022 66181940 Hotel &Lodge:Rajiva,Gandhi National Park ,Karnataka,IndiaHotel Bharath:Virarajendrapet,Kodagu,Karnataka,India |
| Things to carry: |
| Tips & Suggestions: |
| Help Line/Phone Number: |
| Police Station:100 |
| Nearest Hospital: Government Hospital:Mysore District, Karnataka,India Vivekananda Memorial Hospital:Hanchipura Road, Saragur, H.D.Kote Taluk,Mysore District,Karnataka,India,Ph:08228 265412 |
| Society/Community Phone Number: |
