Established in 2004, the Darrah National Park consists of three wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan - Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Jawahar Sagar Sanctuary and Darrah National Park. Spread out in hilly terrain; the Darrah National Park is one of the noteworthy national parks in Rajasthan. Located at a distance of 50 kilometres away from Kota, the vast forest tracts of the Darrah National Park, also known as the Mukundra Hills National Park, are home to many species of animals and birds.
Read More
Photos of Darrah National Park
Read More on Darrah National Park
History of Darrah National Park
In earlier times, the Darrah National Park used to be a royal hunting game reserve for the Maharaja of Kota because of the abundance of astonishing wildlife creatures. The name Darrah means ‘pass’ in the local language implying towards the purpose this region served during that time. The Rajputs, the Marathas and the British exploited the privileged position of these forest grounds to seek asylum during wars. In 1955, the Government of India declared this region as a protected area and the Darrah National Park came into existence in 2004.
Entry Fee
· Foreigners: INR 100 · Indians: INR 20
Opening Timing
· Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Permits
Tourists need to take written permission from the local forest ranger before visiting the Darrah National Park. Alternatively, one has to contact the District Forest Office near the Kota tourist office.
Geography of Darrah National Park
The total area cover by the Darrah National Park is about 200 square kilometres. Quite interestingly, the Darrah National Park is a combination of three wildlife reserves namely Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaswant Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary. The park lies between two parallel mountains – Mukundra and Gagrola – that run across a length of around 80 kilometres from Murlipura to Rawatbhata. The four rivers – Ramzan, Kali, Ahu and Chambal – form the boundary of this valley.
Flora of Darrah National Park
Darrah National Park is blessed with a profusion of many unique floral species like flower plants, trees, foliage and medicinal herbs in an otherwise desert state. The long bushy trees inside the park provide a peaceful shade, and the medicinal herbs have excellent healing qualities. The dominant floral species of the park are Babul, Imli, Banyan, Ber, Dhak, Dhok, Kadam, Khajur, Khair, Karel, Khejda, Kakera, Mohua and Neem.
Darrah National Park is wealthy when it comes to its faunal population. The forest covers play the role of safe habitat for the mysterious animals like Wild Boars, Sloth Bears, Nilgai, Cheetah and Deer. The park also takes pride in being home to a large number of Antelopes and Wolves in the region. Other significant faunal species of the park include Chinkaras, Leopards and a good number of birds and reptiles. With more than 266 unique species of birds, this wildlife sanctuary is indeed a haven for bird-lovers and bird-watchers.
Jungle Safaris and Trekking in Darrah National Park
Darrah National Park gives an experience of a lifetime to wildlife lovers, giving them an opportunity to explore various species of animals and birds in their natural habitat.
Adventure enthusiasts can quench their thirst for wildlife encounters by undertaking exciting jungle safaris in the park. These safaris help the tourists to observe the daily regime of the residing animals from proximity.
With a good pair of shoes and binoculars, tourists can indulge in trekking ventures through the hilly terrains of the park while exploring the unique trees and plants of medicinal values en route the trek.
Facilities at the Darrah National Park
As the park was once the significant hunting ground for the Maharajas, a good number of hunting lodges are still present inside the premises of the sanctuary. Some of the lodges were built exclusively to accommodate the Maharajas.
The Forest Department of Kota owns a rest house in the region. It is a convenient accommodation option for tourists visiting Darrah National Park. The rest house ensures a comfortable and safe stay along with providing all the required amenities.
Nearby Attractions
Jhalwar: This old fort near the park was of great strategic importance during the war against the Marathas. Jhalara Patan: The remains of a Sun Temple built in the 10th century can be found here. River Chandrabhaga: The banks of this river are crowded by thousands of devotees, during the Kartik Purnima in October or November, to become a part of the famous Chandrabhaga Mela. The tourists can take a holy dip in the river waters, get accustomed to the customs and rituals, and witness many competitions involving animals.
How To Reach Darrah National Park
Darrah National Park is 50 kilometres away from Kota. The bus station at Kota is well connected to the major cities of Rajasthan like Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittorgarh and Udaipur. It takes roughly around 6 hours to reach Kota from these cities.
