Would you like to spend your day in Shivpuri among rich biodiversity and diverse species of wildlife animals? If yes, you should visit one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries, Madhav National Park, five kilometres from the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the major tourist destinations and a prime place to visit on a Gwalior trip. The park offers a glorious wildlife sanctuary and unique surroundings such as dense forests, royal castles, and enchanting lakes. Let’s explore the most popular hunting grounds of the Maratha royals and Mughal emperors.
About Madhav National Park
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Madhav National Park is situated on the northern boundary of central India and forms the Upper Vindhyan Hills by blending with valleys and plateaus. This national park is spread over an area of 375 sq km and offers amazing views of architectural wonder and lush greenery inspired by the former rulers of Gwalior. This National Park is a blend of dry deciduous & dry thorn woodlands that provides a natural environment to several animals, such as nilgai, chinkara, deer, tigers, leopards, wolves, jackals, foxes, wild pigs, etc. Madhav National Park encourages tourists with its enchanting flora and fauna, lush green surroundings, stunning lakes, and royal castles of Maratha and Mughal emperors.
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History Of Madhav National Park
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It was established in 1955 as a Madhya Bharat National Park. It was renamed Madhav National Park after India gained freedom in 1959. It was renamed after Madhav Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. It was officially the shooting ground of Maharaja, where they used to hunt animals. In fact, before coming under the rule of the Maharaja, this place was also a hunting ground for Mughal emperors. Due to the extreme wildlife hunting, the last wild tigers were seen in Madhav National Park around late 1970. This National Park is officially a shooting reserve. Still, it has become a wildlife sanctuary that protects the extinct and unique species of animals and provides a secure habitat for them.
Flora And Fauna Of The National Park
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The forest of Madhav National Park comes under the northern tropical dry forests that offer natural habitat to numerous flora and fauna. The park has 2 major lakes, Madhav and Sakhya Sagar, which are important biodiversity support systems. These lakes not only enhance the beauty of the national park but also provide endless water resources for wildlife. Along with this, it provides life to aquatic fauna and migratory birds.
Birds: It is home to several different species of beautiful birds. The typical birds are peacocks, Indian rollers, painted storks, black-winged kites, bulbuls, wagtails, kingfishers, and migratory birds.
Animals: The major attraction of Madhav National Park is the animals. Tourists can experience the roar of the tiger and the howl of the elephant in real life. Some common animals that anyone can witness in this national park are tigers, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, and chitals.
Reptiles: This national park is home to several species of reptiles, including pythons, cobras, tortoises, and crocodiles. These are some of the most common and exquisite reptiles anyone can witness in this National Park.
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Best Time To Visit
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The perfect time to visit Madhav National Park is during the winter, from October to March when the migrating season begins, and migratory birds arrive. Summer is also a good option for visiting this park, as spotting animals is much easier during this season. The migratory birds you can spot during winter are bar-headed geese, flamingos, sandpipers, ruddy shelducks, common teals, etc.
Pricing & Timing
Image Credit: Madhav Johri for Wikimedia Commons
In the morning, the Madhav National Park sets the visiting hours for their tourists from 6 AM to 11:30 AM and, in the evening, from 3 PM to 6 PM. Tourists can visit during these hours, but make sure to check the availability before visiting the park. This National Park is open 7 days a week for tourists but remains closed on holidays such as Holi, Diwali, Pongal, etc. The entry fee for this national park is just Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 150 for foreigners. But for car entry, the entry fee is about Rs 600 for Indians and Rs 1800 for foreigners.
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Madhav National Park is one of the top tourist destinations in Shivpuri, offering its tourists thrilling and adventurous wildlife experiences. You can gain real-life experience with wild animals such as kings of predators, Lions and tigers, extremely powerful elephants, attractive deer, venomous reptiles, enchanting and vibrant birds, etc. Madhav National Park is where you can learn about wildlife and animals by collecting beautiful memories. So, take this guide as a sign of inspiration and plan your trip to Madhya Pradesh with our tailored tour packages. Experience the most exciting and adventurous journey with real-life predators and stunning migratory birds.
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Cover Image credit: Madhav National Park For Facebook
Frequently Asked Questions About Madhav National Park
What is the ticket price for Madhav National Park?
The ticket price for Madhav National Park is Rs 15 for Indians and Rs 150 for foreigners. But for car entry, the prices are too costly, ranging from Rs 600 for Indians to Rs 1800 for foreigners.
What is the flora and fauna of Madhav National Park?
The flora and fauna of Madhav National Park include sambar, spotted deer, blue bulls, blackbucks, common langurs, porcupines, wild boars, sloth bears, gharials, crocodiles, turtles, star tortoises, and snakes.
How far is Madhav National Park from the railway station?
Madhav National Park is located about 7.3 kilometres from Shivpuri Railway Station. One can easily reach the National Park through taxi or cab from the railway station.
What time does Madhav National Park open on Sunday?
Madhav National Park is open 7 days a week from 6 AM to 6 PM for tourists but remains closed on public holidays. The park is open throughout the year.
Where is Madhav National Park situated?
This National Park is located at a distance of 5 kilometres from the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. It can be visited from two gates - NH-25 on Old Jhansi Road and the other on NH-3 Shivpuri - Gwalior Road.
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