The town of Ranthambore in the city of Sawai Madhopur is famous for the Ranthambore National Park. Founded and named after a chieftain Ran Mal Jat. Raja Sajraj Singh Nagil was the first Jat king of the town.

History

Earlier named as Ranastambha or Ranastambhapura, the town of Ranthambore was under the reign of Prithvi Raj Chauhan I, a follower of Jainism ruled the entire region in the 12th century. Later, from 1326-1364 AD, Ranthambore was captured by Rana Hamir Singh of Mewar and Rana Kumbha took over the region from 1433–1468 AD. It was during the reign of Rana Udai Singh, that the fortress was passed onto the HADA Rajputs of Bundi. Later, Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Mughal Emperor Akbar captured the fortress. It was in the 17th century that the fortress passed to the Kachwaha Maharajas of Jaipur, and remained a part of Jaipur until the India became independent.

Altitude:	505 mtrs.
Best Season:	The best time to visit Ranthambore is during the months of November to March, during the winter season.
Climate:	Summer Mean Max. 46°C Mean Min. 23°C Winter Mean Max. 32°C Mean Min. 4°C
Clothing:	Summer light tropical or light Winter Woolen.

Distances from Ranthambore
Delhi 372 Kms.	Agra 291 Kms.	Ajmer 271 Kms.
Alwar 213 Kms.	Bharatpur 237 Kms.	Jaipur 163 Kms.
Jaisalmer 724 Kms.	Jodhpur 452 Kms.	Mt. Abu 578 Kms.
Ranthambhore 0 Kms.

Tourist Attractions

Ranthambore Fort: The Ranthambore Fort is situated within the Ranthambore wildlife reserve. The fort is a perfect exemplar of the architecture during the Chauhan dynasty, the construction of the fort was started in the year 944 AD under the King Sapaldaksha, however, it was during the time of Rao Hammir Deo Chauhan that the fort actually took shape. A recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ranthambore Fort also referred to as the ‘Hill Forts of Rajasthan’. Situated atop a 700ft high hill, the fort is one of the most famous attractions of the Ranthambore National Park. Once the royal hunting destination, the fort features a sprawling jungle that makes it a great destination for some adventure sports. The Ranthambore fort was declared a part of the ‘Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary’ in the year 1950 to conserve the wildlife of the area.

Trinetra Ganesha Temple: The Trinetra (Three-Eyed) Ganesha Temple is a famous temple made in honor of Lord Ganesha. The temple is one of the oldest temples in the state of Rajasthan. The temple enshrines Lord Ganesha and his entire family. The temple was constructed by King Hammer, an ardent follower of the deity. It is believed that while the King was away on war, there ran out of food supplies, it was then Lord Ganesha appeared in the King’s dream and assured him that the stocks will be filled. The next day, the war ceased and the stock was replenished, it was then the King decided to build a temple in honor of the deity. The temple is visited by the numerous devotees of Lord Ganesha from all over the state. Every day five aartis are held within the temple premises honoring the deity.

Surwal Lake: With a quaint setting, the Surwal Lake is one of the most splendid attractions inside the Ranthambore. The lake invites many birds, which can be seen here catching fishes. Being a shallow lake, the best time to visit Surwal Lake is during the months of monsoon when it is filled with water.

Padam Lake: The Padam Lake is the largest lakes and the main source of water for the wildlife of Ranthambore. The lake got its name from the water lilies which bloom here during their season. Many animals can be spotted here quenching their thirst. Padam lake is one of the best attractions to visit if you want to catch a glimpse of some of the rare wildlife species at Ranthambore including chinkara, and tigers.

Jogi Mahal: The Jogi Mahal is a palace constructed on the sides of the Padam Lake. The Mahal was made as a rest house for its visitors, and owing to its strategic location, it has become one of the most famous attractions of Ranthambore. There is a banyan tree located nearby the Jogi Mahal, which is considered one of the largest banyan trees in the world.

Malik Talao: The Malik Talao is a small lake inside the tiger reserve of Ranthambore. One of the most scenic attractions, Malik Talao is home to the Marsh crocodiles. Moreover, some of the species spotted here are kingfishers, herons, egrets, storks, cranes, and ibis. Malik Talao is one of the best places to visit for bird watching.

How to Reach

By Air: The Jaipur International Airport is the nearest airport to Ranthambore.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to Ranthambore is the Sawai Madhopur, situated at a distance of 11 km from Ranthambore. It is well-connected to cities like Jaipur, Mumbai & Delhi.

By Road: Ranthambore has a well-built road network, which connects it to the nearby cities of Rajasthan and other states.