Tadoba National Park is the perfect place to go if you want to learn more about India’s vibrant and diverse wildlife. The park is a thriving jungle in Nagpur situated among the Chimur Hills. It is home to countless species, densely covered woods, far-flung fauna, spectacular river beds, vast valleys, and lush green meadows. Numerous different varieties of flora are also found here.
A renowned tribal ruler, valiant kingdoms, carved rock shelters, and more are all part of Tadoba’s exciting past. So, let us take you on a brief journey to the “Land of the Gonds” and other places where nature and culture are inextricably linked. The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve was created in 1986 by combining the Tadoba Tiger Reserve and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. Today, it is regarded as one of India’s top tiger reserves. Forty-four tigers live in the reserve’s core region, 24 in the buffer zone, and 34 in the park’s surrounding area. For those who love the outdoors, Tadoba National Park is a veritable paradise where not only tigers but also jungle cats, panthers, gaur, and hyenas roam freely.
Tadoba has numerous water sources, including Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, Telia, the Andhari River, and Erai Dam. This blog is a collection of the most incredible facts about Tadoba National Park, India, including unusual, shocking, and lesser-known facts we can find that will leave you in awe.
Here are the Top Interesting Facts about Tadoba National Park
The Gond Presidency
Tadoba’s abundant biodiversity bears tribute to the brave Gond Kings who ruled for generations. The Gowaree, Gond, and Manna tribes lived in the woodlands in the seventh century. The Gonds, between 1318 and 1323, subjugated these tribes. Ultimately, the Marathas took control of their country in 1751 AD.
The history of the ancestor Gond dynasty reveals the tale of Taru, the village ruler after whom the Tadoba forests are named. According to a legend, Taru came into contact with a giant tiger close to Tadoba Lake. The tiger was slain as a result of the fierce combat that followed. One such legend states that Taru was the victim of the tiger’s attack.
The villagers, who consider themselves Taru’s deity and descendants, regard him as a god. There are several King Taru shrines in reserve. Every December/January, the indigenous tribes still come together to worship their divinity.
According to mythology, the Vindhya mountain range, generally considered the border between North and South India, is said to have been lowered by the sage Agastya. Agastya requested that the formidable Vindhyas reduce itself so that he may travel to the south. After that, the mountain kept its vow to hold off on growing until Agastya returned, but he never did. Instead, he relocated to the south, preventing Vindhyas from expanding.
Place of the Big 5 Animals
Tadoba is teeming with various species of all sizes, colors, and shapes and a rich biodiversity of plants and animals. Its lush forests are a visual delight and provide unique interactions.
The extensive bamboo forests and various permanent water features, both natural and created by humans, provide the teeming animals of this Taru region with the perfect environment. Tigers like Sonam, one of Tadoba’s strongholds, are frequently spotted strolling along the asphalt roads that cut through the city.
The Big 5 of Tadoba include a black panther dubbed Blacky, sloth bears, wild dogs, guars, the majestic monarch of the forests, and tigers, who are given pride of place. The Marsh Crocodiles in the Telia and Tadoba Lakes, at number 6, are a must-see.
The tigers of Tadoba have names like Maya, Tara, Matkasur, Chota Matka, Geeta, Lara, Gabbar, Mona, Madhuri, Amitabh, Mallika, etc., which are very famous.
The best tiger habitats are also places for leopards and dholes (Wild Dogs) to live. In this forest, encounters with tigers and other animals occur daily. A melanistic or black leopard was also seen in the forest area.
Sloth Bears can be seen snooping around Tadoba, looking for termites, fruit, and larvae. Additionally, they frequently piggyback their young children or perform a ramp walk on the tar road.
The Indian Bison, often known as the Gaur, is a shy, recognizable creature that dominates the terrain in Tadoba. Male Gaur typically weighs around a tonne. Their noticeable white stockings and dark coats make them a captivating subject for nature photographers.
Tadoba’s marsh crocodiles, sometimes muggers, represent a glimmer of hope for the species’ otherwise declining numbers. At the Tadoba and Telia lakes, you may see these freshwater reptiles and animals that build their nests in holes while they enjoy the morning sun or perhaps swim covertly in quest of prey. You can also find other reptiles in this prosperous land, like the Indian chameleon and snakes.
Tiger Territories in Tadoba
Data suggest that tigers frequently approach tourists in front of them as a means of thanking them at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), which is well known for its tiger sightings.
The vast 1,727 square kilometers forest tract of Tadoba is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, around 150 miles from Nagpur. The TATR is divided into its core and buffer zones. The principal zones of Tadoba have a total of 6 entrance gates, all of which lead to the fascinating wilderness. The Tadoba royal wild monarchs are permitted to roam their realm freely. Also, the demand for Tadoba Safari Booking peaks during the same time as sighting reports increase.
The Tadoba National Park is ideal for those who seek wildlife exploration. A diverse population of tigers, leopards, and deer roams this area. The park is the oldest and largest reserve, with 115 tigers in several zones.
You can easily see tigers on a safari to Tadoba zones and other ferocious animals, including leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, and wild cats. Tadoba’s forests have excellent connectivity. You’ll reach animal wonderlands by traveling more and selecting more diverse destinations. A tiger safari in Tadoba enriches your wildlife vacation, and a chance to meet with tigers leaves you delighted.
One of the toughest tigresses in India, Maya employed sophisticated strategies to shield her cubs from the wrath of other male tigers, particularly the gigantic “Matkasur” and “Gabbar.” She is rumored to have inherited regal beauty and woos guests on 4×4 safaris into the wilderness with her swagger.
She currently seems to control a sizable section of this actual tiger territory. One of Tadoba’s most recognizable big cats, Maya, has lived there for a long time. When Maya gave birth to her fifth litter of puppies in Tadoba, she gave distant visitors much to smile about!
Paradise for Bird Lovers
Tadoba is a bird watcher’s paradise where the birds are dressed in various hues. An avid birder can spend days at Tadoba caught in awe at the variety of avian residents without being deterred by even the prospect of a tiger, as someone correctly stated.
Every natural or artificial water feature is home to various bird marvels. Irai Lake, Amblepath, Jamun Jhora, Kala Amba, and several ponds along the Andhari River and Waghdoh region are among the high-value birding hotspots.
Numerous migratory and native species, including the bar-headed goose, smaller whistling duck, and gray-headed swamphen, among others, may be seen near Tadoba and Irai Lake. Mottled Wood-owls, Brown Fish-owls, other owl species, and passerine birds, such as Oriental White-eyes, can be found in Tadoba. In addition, Minivets, White-throated Kingfishers, Stork-Billed Kingfishers, Plum-headed Parakeets, Red Avadavats, Indian Rollers, Coppersmith Barbets, and a large number of other species can be found perching in Tadoba.
Raptors, including White-eyed buzzards, Oriental honey buzzards, paradise flycatchers, Indian rollers, Indian pitta, and others, love to hang out around Tadoba Lake. Irai Lake is a magnificent body of water that spans 30 square kilometers and is filled with inlets, islands, and bays. It offers breathtaking views of birds and mammals. Every canoe voyage will result in species sightings, including Small Pranticole, Red-Crested Pochards, Bar-Headed Geese, and Knob-billed Ducks. In addition, ospreys and the Gray-Headed Fish-eagle, which are difficult to see in other ecosystems, are readily visible here. Lesser Whistling Ducks, River Terns, and Ospreys can all be seen at Telia Lake. Sonam, the majestic tigress, calls it home as well.
Tadoba National Park and its water bodies
Tadoba contains several lakes, saucers, and water holes that are perennial and even artificial despite its dry climate and reputation as one of the hottest cities in the nation. Tadoba’s unique vegetation and fauna thrive thanks to these lakes.
The pristine Tadoba Lake and the Irai Lake can be reached via the buffer zone safari and the core gates. Irai Lake is a stunning waterbody with a surface area of 30 square kilometers. It is dotted with inlets, islands, and bays that provide mesmerizing vistas. Irai Lake is accessible by foot from locations outside the park as well. Therefore, canoeing and trekking near Irai Lake may produce some fantastic finds.
You may rent canoes at Moharli and Thekkady, and a boat will carry you across the lakes to Pradhi Ambhora, one of Tadoba’s best photographic hides. They offer the best hiking and paddling trails. Telia Lake is a fantastic place to see birds; if lucky, you might even see Sonam the tigress.
Wonders of Archaeology
Eight painted rock shelters are found in Chimur in Chandrapur. These give insight into Tadoba’s fauna, which includes bears, tigers, wild pigs, barasingha deer, and humped cattle. The absence of hunting scenes, typical in Neolithic art, makes this work distinctive. The paintings originate from the Mesolithic (7000 B.C.–500 B.C.) and Iron (1000 B.C.–500 A.D.) eras of human history. There are two groups of rock shelters at the Waghai hills, Nagargota and Pandubara. They come from two different historical eras.
- Tombs and excavated sites
The distinctive megalithic (Iron Age) burial sites used big stones. Numerous burial sites in Vidarbha use dolmens, often single-chamber megalithic tombs, stone circles, cairns, menhirs, and capstone cists (box graves built of stone slabs). A twin-chambered dolmen was discovered in Hirapur, in the Tadoba forest zone, between 2010 and 2013. The local tribal people still revere it as “Mandavgade” today, although they cremate it rather than bury it. In addition, glass bracelets, iron tools, and copper coins were discovered here.
- Gond Pillars
When one approaches the Mohrali range from the Tadoba Lake, living and non-living history is provided. The Gond Pillars serve as a symbol of ancient times. India’s oldest organized long-distance communication system is built on these pillars. These pillars, which were almost 9 feet tall and had tapered tops, were intended to inform the two temples inside the reserve about the coming of their royal highness. They were built in the king’s capital. The pillars’ tops were equipped with a ring through which a rope led to the temple bell.
If you come across these pillars while on a safari, they will transport you to the Gond era of the 16th century. You might hear bells ringing and see a magnificent appearance from one of the better-era tigers.
Religious Relics
The rural community of Ramdegi is located in Chandrapur’s Chimur Taluka. You may reach Ramdegi, a tranquil retreat, by taking a picturesque country drive with green, lush fields on either side. Near the Ramdegi forest, a temple honoring Lord Rama is visible. It’s also thought that Rama spent some time there during his 14 years of exile. As a result, both pilgrims and visitors find it to be a popular location.
A magnificent Buddha sculpture may be found by a banyan tree at Buddha Vihar in Ramdegi, close to 400 steps away. According to legend, tigers have also been known to enter the complex of temples boldly during darkness. Sloth bears thrive in Ramdegi, and a healthy population may be found there. The temple pujari (priests) have a lot of bear-related stories to tell. Ramdegi is a day trip that is enjoyable to take with friends and family and great for going on a picnic.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, also known as Tadoba National Park, is one of India’s most famous tiger locations and the biggest in Maharashtra. One of India’s 47 planned tiger reserves, Tadoba has acquired enormous notoriety in recent years as the park with the highest rate of tiger sightings. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Tadoba National Park with an Indian Visit.