Darrah National Park

Rajasthan, known for its Forts and Palaces is also a home to a lot of endangered wild animals and birds. Though the environment of Rajasthan is not very much agreeable for greenery but still it is a shelter for many flora and fauna with a number of Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Darrah Wildlife sanctuary is thickly forested, lying along the southeastern border of Kota. This hilly sanctuary with thick forests is worth a visit. The Darrah sanctuary is spread over an area of 250 sq. km and is strategically located 50 km away from the town of Kota. In the days of yore, Darrah sanctuary used to be the royal hunting ground of the erstwhile maharaja of Kota before it was handed over to the government of India. The Darrah sanctuary was officially declared as a protected area in 1955.

Darrah sanctuary is densely wooded and is spread over a hilly terrain. Darrah wildlife sanctuary is thronged with various kinds of wild animals. Some of the resident species of this mysterious sanctuary are wolf, cheetah, nilgai, deer and wild boar. Today, the Darrah Sanctuary boasts of a rich wildlife population consisting of leopards, wolves, sloth bears and chinkaras. The sanctuary is also home to a number of birds and reptiles. Adventure freaks and wildlife enthusiasts can look forward to a wonderful time at Darrah. Indeed from jungle safaris to treks, there are lots to see and do at the Darrah Sanctuary. Besides, The Darrah Sanctuary is lush with green foliage and many rare medicinal herbs and trees. The tourists seeking adventure and solitude indulge in trekking along the many mountain trails and in undertaking jeep safaris through the forested areas.

The Forest Department runs a Rest House at Darrah sanctuary but the amenities are very basic. The Darrah Sanctuary charges about Rs 20 entry fees for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners. The Sanctuary timings are 10 am to 5 pm everyday. Tourists require a signed sanction from the local forest ranger to visit the Sanctuary. Such a sanction may also be obtained from the District Forest Office (0744-2321263) at Kota or from the Kota Tourist Reception Center (0744-2327695). Sometimes due to incessant rains, the reserve is closed down during the monsoon months, from July to September. February to May is considered the best period to visit the sanctuary. Visiting the haunting Darrah sanctuary is a very rewarding experience as it provides not only the wild side of Rajasthan but also its rich past.

Other Attractions around Darrah Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India
A visit to Darrah sanctuary can be complimented by a visit to Jhalwar, which is in close proximity to the sanctuary. There is a marvelous fort but is in urgent need of restoration. The Jenana Khas is particularly very attractive and is located inside the fort. There is Jhairapatan, which is renowned for the ruins of the Sun temple which was built way back in the 10th century. A plethora of ancient temples, most of them built between the 7th - 8th centuries are located along the banks of Chandrabhaga river.

Location and Transport of Darrah Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India
The Darrah Sanctuary is a beautiful sylvan reserve and is located at a distance of about 50 km from the city of Kota. Kota is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. It is located on the eastern bank of Chambal River and is drained by its tributaries. Kota is on a high sloping tableland forming a part of the Malwa Plateau. The Mokandarra hills run from southeast to northwest axis of the town. It is 36 km from Bundi. Summers are quite hot (April-June) while winters are cool (October-February). It experiences scant rainfall between June and August.

Kota By Air
Kota does not have an airport of its own. There is a small aerodrome, which is not operational. Nearest Airport is Udaipur. Several flights are from Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of India.

Kota By Road
Darrah Wildlife sanctuary is around 50 km from Kota. The main bus station in Kota is located on Bundi Road near the eastern bank of the Chambal River. There is a good bus service from Kota to Ajmer (6 hours), Chittorgarh (6 hours), Jaipur (6 hours), Udaipur (6 hours), Jodhpur (11 hours) and Bikaner (12 hours). The district is well connected with neighbouring districts and with major cities outside the state. National highway No.12 (Jaipur-Jabalpur) passes through the district. The total road length in the district is 1,752 km. as of 31 March 2000.

Kota By Train
The nearest Rail Head to the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is Kota which is on the Delhi Mumbai Rail Route. Several trains are a day from Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, and Jaipur. Kota railway station is located at the extreme northern end of the town. As Kota is on the main Delhi-Mumbai railway line via Sawai Madhopur, a number of trains pass through and stop here. The trip to Jaipur takes about 5 hours, while it takes 10 hours to reach Delhi from Kota. Delhi-Mumbai railway line passes through the Kota junction. The district has 148.83 km of railway line in the Kota-Ruthia section, 98.72 km on Nagda-Mathura (Mumbai-Delhi) section and 24.26 km on Kota-Chittorgarh section. The broad gauge railway facility between Kota and Jodhpur via Jaipur was also inaugurated.

Facts of Darrah Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India
Area: 250 sq.km
Best time to visit : October to June
Fauna : Wolf, Cheetah, Nilgai, Deer and Wild Boar
Location : 50 km away from Kota
Timmings : 1000hrs to 1700hrs
Entry : Indians Rs. 20 per person Foreigners Rs. 100 per person
Closed from : July to September