5 Things To Do in Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is an amazing combination of thrill and interesting stories. It is here where for the first time India’s first white tiger was found. It is here where we will see the grand Fort of Bandhavgarh which was gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Laxmana. The name Bandhavgarh is a testimony to this fact. Bandhav means Brother and Garh means Fort in local dialect. You will also witness 2000 years old man-made caves with interesting inscriptions and rock paintings. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve’s charm is irresistible. It has the highest density of tigers in India. Variety of scenic landscapes and vegetation also makes this place an awe-enchanting paradise for travelers. The best part is this popular national park in India has so much more to enjoy apart from its amazing wildlife sightings and safari that one trip to this reserve is not enough.
Here are a list of 5 top things to do in Bandhavgarh beyond safari:
1 ) Cycling Trails:
Cycling Trails in Bandhavgarh
Explore the serene countryside on a cycling jaunt. Our expert naturalists at Aranyak are more than happy to accompany you and take you around on a leisurely tour through the villages, and the forest buffer zone. Explore the pristine jungles and the rural settings of Bandhavgarh, while pedaling through the glorious countryside.
2 ) Walking Trails and Village Visits:
Walking Trails and Village Visits
Explore the wilderness in the periphery of the park. Have a fascinating experience learning about the rich and diverse flora and fauna and biodiversity, while on foot. This intimate experience lends a unique charm and throws open new vistas and lessons.
Explore the local hamlets and villages, and carry back memories of the bountiful culture, tradition, and the lives of the indigenous tribes of the region. Interact with the locals, and if your inner desire propels you to volunteer for one of our community programs, go ahead, plunge in.
3 ) A Visit to the Mythological Shesh Shaiya:
The sandstone Shesh Shaiya statue of Lord Vishnu, is much revered and adorned with oil lamps by the devotees.
Constructed in the 10th century A.D., Shesh Shaiyais an 11 meter long Lord Vishnu’s reclining posture, with a canopy of seven hooded serpents called Sheshnag.
The statue is located at the source of the Charanganga, a perennial river that waters the beautiful meadows below. Charanganga merges with the Sone River, a tributary of the holy Ganges, and is the lifeline of Bandhavgarh.
There are also statues of Bramha and Shiva here.
Sheshaiya is open for guests to visit during Tala zone safari.
4 ) Dance to the Local Flavours of Baiga Music:
Cultural performance
The Baiga Adivasis are a forest-dwelling, indigenous tribal community of Central India. Baigas live in close intimacy with nature and were erstwhile nomadic hunter-gatherers. They are extremely knowledgeable about the medicinal and healing properties of the various flora found in Central India. The Baigas possess a keen knowledge of their environment, and of the biodiversity of their region which they pass on from one generation to the next.
Interact with the local Baiga tribes and shake a leg or two with them, if you please; as they perform the local Baiga community dance. To accentuate the experience further, one can get a taste of the sinful Baiga thali that brings alive the authentic cooking flavours that the community has kept intact for generations.
They are solely dependent on the forest products, so is their food which primarily consists of coarse grains like Kodo Millet (Paspalum scorbiculatum) and Kutki Millet (Panicum sumatrense). Mahua tree is an all-purpose natural product for Baigas. They use mahua seed to extract the oil which is used for cooking. The sun-dried flowers are used for making tea, sweet dishes, and liquor
A Baiga cultural performance and an interaction with the Baiga community can be fixed on prior requests with us at Aranyak Resort.
5 ) Day Visit to Bansagar or Ban Sagar Dam:
Bansagar or Ban Sagar Dam
Ban Sagar Dam is a multipurpose river valley Project, on Sone River situated in the Ganges Basin, 85 km from Bandhavgarh. It is equipped with both irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The Bansagar Dam was constructed near the Deolond village, in the Shahdol district.
The project was called “Bansagar” after Bana Bhatt, the renowned Sanskrit scholar of the 7th century, who is believed to have hailed from this region, in India.
The dam is an hour and thirty minutes drive from Bandhavgarh and is a good sightseeing option for travellers keen to explore places in and around Bandhavgarh.
