Deep within the Bandhavgarh National Park, the mysteries surrounding the origins of the Bandhavgarh Fort are rivaled only by the presence of its most regal of residents – the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Established in 1968, the Bandhavgarh (Sanskrit for ‘Brother’s Fort’) National Park occupies 437 sq km of forest land in the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh and is home to the highest density of Bengal tigers in the world. Of the 437 sq km, approximately 105 sq km is a designated tourist range, where one can find over 250 species of birds and more than 37 species of mammals.

With no natural predators, the Tiger reigns supreme and the Chital forms the primary portion of its diet, while the leopard, Indian jackal, fox and wild cats are some of the other predators.  A game reserve in the time of the Maharajas of Rewa, one can find a healthy number of Sambar, Nilgai, Chausingha, Chinkara, Barking Deer and Black Buck today.

Open from October to June, the Bandhavgarh National Park turns into a haven for photographers during the summer months of May and June when summer is at its peak. The heat ensures the tigers remain close to water sources, providing both easily traceable positions and amazing photographic opportunities.