Nestled in the Aravali Hills over an area of about 800 Sq. Km covering the grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs and rocky landscape, lays the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, now known as The Sariska Tiger Reserve. This area was once a hunting preservation of The Maharaja of Alwar. The Reserve is known for its majestic Royal Bengal Tigers. It is the first tiger reserve to relocate the Tigers (from Ranthambore) successfully. As it lies in the lap of Aravali Hills, it holds an abundant amount of mineral resources like copper.
The protected area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve has a diverse topography, ranging from rocky landscapes, scrub-thorn arid forests, hilly cliffs, dry deciduous forests and grasslands. The area of the reserve measures around 866 sq. Km. It was declared as a national park in 1982. The protected area is a part of the Aravali Range and the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. Sariska attracts a lot of nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts along with numerous history buffs.
The reason behind this immense popularity is the presence of the ruins of medieval temples of Garh-Rajor that dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries along with a 17th-century castle at Kankwari that provides a panoramic view of the area. Other prominent attractions here include Pandopil, which lies in the hills in the central area of the national park. This site is famous as the place where the Pandava brothers Mahabharata had spent a few days, while they were in their exile. Built by the Bargujars, the Nilkanth temple is another attraction here, known for its splendour.