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Ranthambhore,
in the state of Rajasthan,
is one of the smallest Project Tiger reserves.
It's name comes from the vast fort that
stands in the middle of the forest. The
name Ranthambore is derived from two hills
in the area, Ran and Thanbhor. Another
version says that Ranthambhore was once
called Rana Stambhapura or City of the
Pillars of War!
The Ranthambhore National Park at the
junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhayas
is a unique juxtaposition of the natural
and historical richness, standing out
conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded
tract of eastern Rajasthan,
barely 14 kms. from Sawai
Madhopur. The elegant Ranthambhore
fort called the Jogi Mahal is now the
forest rest house.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography
varying from the gentle to the steep slopes;
from flat topped hills of the Vindhayas
to the conical hillocks and the sharp
ridges of the Aravalis. An important geological
feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where
the Vindhaya plateaus meet the Aravali
hill ranges, meanders through the reserve.
The National Park is bounded by the rivers
Chambal in the South and the Banas in
the North. Pure stands of the Dhok interspersed
with open grasslands of the plateaus,
six large lakes - Gilai Sagar, Mansarovar,
Malik talao, Raj Bagh and Padam Talao
with in the National Park.
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