Madhav National Park

History

Madhav National Park is a protected forest land with rich flora and fauna, in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district. The name of the Park has been inspired by Madho Rao Scindia, who was Royal King of Gwalior. He belonged to the famous Scindia dynasty, which was under the Marathas. 

Many centuries ago, the region was a prized hunting ground for the Mughal emperors. It is said that in the year 1564, the Great Mughal Kind Akbar had captured several elephants to add to his stable, while he was returning from the city of Mandu. The area was abundant with wild animals, in those days. 

Shivpuri was Scindia Kings’ summer capital. A story says that in the year 1916, Lord Hardinge had shot not one, not two, but 8 tigers in a single day of gaming in the area. After India gained independence, the area was designated as Shivpuri National Park. In the year 1959, the Park was renamed as Madhav National Park. 

Useful Information

Total area – 375.22 sq km

Core area – 354 sq km

Elevation range – 484 meters

Latitude – 25°28′N 

Longitude – 77°45′E

Nearest river – Manihar River

Nearby hills – Upper Vindhyan Hills 

Avg. annual rainfall – 816 mm 

Flora of Madhav National Park

One of the most beautiful features of the Madhav National Park is it has several small ponds across its terrains. The largest of those is called the Sankhya Sagar. The voluminous water reservoir was constructed by Kind Madhav Rao himself. The reservoir and the smaller water-bodies are the reasons for abundant aquatic plants in the Park. Kind Madhav Rao had also built another smaller water tank called Madhav Lake. 

The vegetation of the Madhav National Park falls under the category of dry deciduous forests. There are plenty of flat grasslands across the terrains of the Park. You could also find forested hills in the vast expanse of the region. 

In some parts of the Park, the nature of vegetation also falls under the mixed deciduous type. One of the principal species of big trees found here is the Kair, whose scientific name if Acacia catechu. You could also spot the Salai trees here (scientific name – Boswellia serrata). Many regions of the Park are also marked by Kerdhai and Dhawda trees. The Park has flowering flora species, such as Palash trees. In some parts of the Park, you could spot Tendu trees, too. 

Fauna of Madhav National Park

If you are interested to spot a lot of deer on your tour, then you must plan for Madhav wildlife packages, by all practical means. The deer is by far the predominant species in the Park. There are graceful Indian gazelles, dwelling across the terrains of the Park. Locally, these deer are called Chinkara. You could also spot the beautiful Chital deer in large numbers, in various regions of the Park. 

The larger species of deer, Sambar, could be found in the Park, too. It is very common while availing Madhav adventure packages to spot deer sipping at the banks of lovely streams or water-bodies of the Park. 

Getting a glimpse of the blackbucks is also not uncommon in the Park, especially when you visit the Park in peak seasons, availing well-tailored Madhav safari tours. 

Witnessing the activities of sloth bear is possible, too, as this wonderful Park is an abode to this species. Spotting a Nilgai is easy in this region. You could also spot other animals such as Chausingha and Common Langur.

Some of you might be more interested in spotting big cats in your Madhav tour packages, and the good news is, you won’t be disappointed, as the Park is a home to Indian leopards. 

Climate

It is essential to know a bit about the climate of Madhav National Park when you plan to tour its terrains and enjoy a good time. There are three distinct seasons in the Park that prevail, and they are summer, monsoon, and winter. 

The summer seasons have extremes of temperatures, and the thermometer generally touches high-forties in degree Celsius, during daytime. The air becomes dry. March-end marks the onset of summer in the Park. Till June-end, summer continues. At nighttime, you might experience a cool breeze blowing across the terrains, and temperatures remain in mid-thirties in degree Celsius. 

Monsoons arrive at the Park during July. The region receives a moderate level of rainfall in a 3-month period, from July to September. Rains make the terrains of the Park greener, which are otherwise not very lush. Animals and birds receive respite from the scorching heat of summer days. 

Winter could be harsh, especially during the nighttime, when temperatures can sharply drop to the level of 2 degree Celsius. December to February marks the core winter time. The temperatures in daytime hover around low-twenties, and the weather is very soothing, with cool breeze and low humidity. 

Best Time to Visit Madhav National Park

If you want to relish exploring the beauty of Madhav National Park, then it is quite important to know about the best time to travel the region. The expert travelers and wildlife enthusiasts recommend traveling in winter months to thoroughly enjoy the charm of the Park, availing Madhav affordable packages. You would enjoy witnessing migratory birds, and various other species present in the Park, availing weekend tour packages. 

This means, you need to make a plan to travel between November and March. Keep in mind that December and January are really cold months, especially during nighttime. Hence, it is rational to come prepared with all sorts of warm winter garments. The air has very low measure of humidity, and it is almost dry. The moisture content gradually increases from end-March. It is at maximum level during the monsoon. 

There are tourists who visit the Park during summer months, especially in April and May, too. One of the good things about the Park is it is open for the tourists throughout the year. Hence, you don’t have to target any single season or a few months to make a trip to the Park. It is not closed during monsoons, like many other National Parks in India. 

How to Reach Madhav National Park

When you plan ahead, then reaching Madhav National Park is not at a difficult task. You would find it quite smooth to reach the place, opting for a suitable transportation mode, following a nice, balanced tour plan. 

By rail: Those among you who love to travel by train, it is possible to reach the Park by boarding a train from a major Indian city, especially if you are a resident of neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh, availing Madhav holiday packages. The nearest rail station to the Park is Jhansi. You can hire a car after reaching Jhansi rail station to go to the Park. 

By road: The Park is nicely connected to various cities and tours via a good network of roads and highways. If you are planning to visit the Park from places like Gwalior, Bhopal, Sawai Madhopur, Indore, etc. then there would be no problem to take a private bus or drive straight to the destination. 

By air: If you live in a distant state from Madhya Pradesh, then you can take a flight to the nearest airport to the Park, the Gwalior Airport, when you avail Madhav weekend tour packages. After reaching the airport, you can conveniently hire a car and reach the place. 

Connectivity & Distances

Railway station: Jhansi Rail Junction   

Bus Stand: Shivpuri Bus Stand 

Airport: Gwalior Airport 

Nearest city/town: Shivpuri 

Places To Visit Near Madhav National Park

While planning your Madhav National Park itinerary, it is a wise step to include the nearby tourist attraction places, in order to enrich your holidaying experience in the vicinity of the Park. 

Siddhweshwar Mandir – The famous Siddhweshwar temple is close to the Park, where you can conveniently visit on a weekend trip with your family and friends to offer prayers to the deity, and also admire the architectural intricacies of the structure. 

Madhav Vilas Palace – The Madhav Vilas Palace is one of the most gorgeously built architectures in the region, that you should never miss on a weekend getaway tour. A portion of the Palace has been transformed into a museum, displaying articles used by the Royals several years ago. 

Baythal Baiber Church – There is a nearby church that reflects the diversity of the people living in the local people, and you can easily visit the place to have a look at the interiors. 

Adinath Mandir – There are many temples in the nearby locations, and you can include Adinath Mandir in your Madhav sightseeing packages.