India Explored

If the new year has still kept you in celebration mood, here is a list of reasons to celebrate! See what is happening all over the country in January.

Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh Mela at Haridwar begins on the 14th of this month and goes on till April. See details and auspicious bathing dates at http://www.kumbh2010haridwar.gov.in/

Nagaur Cattle Fair. The fair at Naguar is the most well known in Rajasthan after Pushkar. The four day festival begins on 22nd and concludes on 25th. See details at http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Attractions/Fairs-Festivals/NagaurFair.aspx

Desert Festival. The festival at Jaisalmer is a showcase of performing arts and cultures from the heart of the desert. It begins on 28th and concludes on 30th. See details at http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Attractions/Fairs-Festivals/DesertFestival.aspx

Mamallapuram Dance Festival. The mamallapuram dance festival is a month long festival that began on 25th December and goes on till 25th January. See details at http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/FineArts/DanceFestivals/Default.aspx

Chennai Music Festival. One of the biggest classical music and dance festivals begins in December and continues till the middle of this month. See schedules at http://www.artindia.net/madras09/index.html

Gujarat Kite Festival. The festival of kites is celebrated in Ahmedabad on 14th and 15th January. See details at http://www.gujarattourism.com/showpage.aspx?contentid=483

2009 was an active year here at 'India Explored'. It has been a busy time covering every aspect of travel and travel news, exploring new destinations and knowing more about the well known places. This year, the viewership of 'India Explored' jumped past 6 figure mark and has been growing strong. This year has seen more than 150 posts on various aspects of travel.

I hope your have enjoyed the writings on this blog. It would be great to hear from you about the content on 'India Explored', about what you like and what you did not like, and what new things would you like to see covered on this blog. I will be ears to your suggestions, please leave a comment here and have your say. Thank you.

From 'India Explored' I wish you a very happy and prosperous new year and a lot of travelling to all the places you have always dreamed of going.

Far away from every major tourist destination is the vast expanse of Kanha National Park spread over 2000 square kilometers. It is home to one of the largest population of tigers in India, boasting of more than 80 tigers living in the park. Also populating the wilderness of Kanha are many mammals like spotted deer, wild dog, leopards, gaur and wild boar.



Image by oktatabyebye user rnaidu

One of the specialties of Kanha are the near extinct Barasinga or swamp deer that are hard to spot anywhere else in the world. The number of Barasingas in the park had once plummeted to less than hundred, but timely conservation measures have helped their population to bounce back to more than five hundred.


Kanha's forest primarily constitutes tall sal trees that occupy most part of the national park. A vast grassland exists in the center of the park, which provides sufficient grass for the herbivore population.


Know more about Kanha National Park here and here.


The Season


Kanha National Park remains closed during the monsoons and re-opens in November. The best weather in the park is during February to March. However, tiger sightings are at its best during the hot summer months.

Tiger Sightings

With more than 80 tigers inhabiting the park, sighting them is not difficult, especially in hot summer days when they are often found next to a water body. The park is divided into three zones - Kanha, Makki and Sarhi. Sightings are usually best at Kanha Zone.



Picture by oktatabyebye user Ran

See more pictures from Kanha National Park.

Things to do and places to see

Go on a safari to see the tigers and other mammals, take a walk in the periphery of the park where sightings are equally likely and walk on a designated path within the park to see birds. There is a well kept interpretation center in the middle of the park, which is a must see. Know more about what to see in Kanha


Places to Stay

Accommodation of all budgets is plentiful in Kanha. Some of the featured accommodations in the park include Baghira Log Huts, Kanha Safari Lodge and MPT tourist hotel.

More information

• Map with location of Kanha.
• How to reach Kanha National Park.
• Travelogues on Kanha National Park