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INTRODUCTION

Situated in the
central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh at a distance of
around 57 km from Khajuraho is the Panna National Park. The region,
which is famous for its diamonds, is also home to some of the best
wildlife species in India and is one of the better Tiger Reserves in
the country. The park is known worldwide for its wild cats,
including tigers as well as deer and antelope. Due to its closeness
to one of the best-known Indian tourist attraction in India,
Khajuraho, the park has the potential of becoming a major tourist
attraction.
LOCATION
The Panna National Park is located in the Indian
state of Madhya Pradesh and is a part of the Chattarpur district.
The park is well connected with the other parts of the region by a
good network of roads. Distances of some important places in India
from the Panna National Park are Bhopal 727 km, Delhi 889 km,
Chennai 1761, and Calcutta 1040 km.
CLIMATE
The climate of this region is tropical. Summers
are too hot and very uncomfortable, though this is the time when one
has the maximum chances of encountering the exclusive wildlife of
this park. Winters are cold and comfortable and the temperature
generally remains under 25°C. Monsoon touches this region in July
and continues till mid-September.
HISTORY
Legend has it that the Pandavs of Mahabharat
spent a good part of their seclusion here in the forests of the
Panna National Park. This was ages away, but even now the park
region attracted every sort of visitors. The park was the private
hunting region of the royal family of Panna. After independence, the
park was declared a wildlife sanctuary. It is in the year 1981 that
this park was declared a National Park and now it attracts the
attention of wildlife enthusiasts in large numbers.
ATTRACTIONS
Flora
This region has mixed deciduous forests.
The landscape of this rocky and uneven terrain is covered by scrubby
vegetation and grass.
Fauna
Fauna of this park includes, apart from the
tiger; wolf, chital, sloth bear, chinkara, and sambar. Tiger
sightings are not very common here and to watch a wild cat in action
needs a lot of patience along with luck. The Ken River that flows
from here towards the north harbours both the major Indian species
of crocodiles i.e. the mugger and long snouted gharial.
Other Attractions
Panna is famous for its diamond mining industry
and this make it an interesting place to visit. Pandav falls
is also a major attraction with its lake fed by a waterfall. One
more attraction in this region is the Rajgarh Palace, a
magnificent piece of architecture overlooking the valley.
PLACES NEARBY
Khajuraho is situated at a distance of around 57
km from the Panna National Park. The place is a world heritage site
famous for the exquisite sculptures adorning the temples there. The
erotic images on the walls of the temples are well known and attract
tourists from all over the world. Major attractions are the
Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Lakshman Temple, Devi Jagdamba Temple,
temple of Vishwanath and Nandi, Chaunsath Yogini Temple, Parsvanatha
Temple, Shanti Nath Temple, Ghantai Temple, and temples of Brahma
and Hanuman.
Majhgaon, at a distance of around 55 km, has the
country’s only working diamond mine.
REACHING THERE
By
Air
The nearest airport is at Khajuraho at a distance
of around 57 km from the Panna National Park. There are daily
Alliance Air flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Varanasi from Khajuraho.
By
Rail
Satna, at a distance of around 90 km, is the
nearest railway station. It is a major railway hub and is connected
to many places in central and western India, the most important of
them being Mumbai at a distance of 1,540 km.
By
Bus
The nearest bus stand is Panna connected to
Khajuraho and many other places in Madhya Pradesh by a good road
network. Madla, at a distance of around 24 km southwest of Khajuraho,
is a good transport centre. One can get buses and other road
transport modes from here to the Panna National Park.
STAYING THERE
Tree houses and tourist lodges are available in
the vicinity of the Panna National Park to accommodate the visitors.
Most of the better accommodation options are available at Madla. The
other option is to stay in any hotel at Khajuraho and organise a day
trip to the park. |