The Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary situated in Rajasthan spans over 250 square kilometers of land. It situated 56 kilometers away from the town of Kota. This area situated to the South of Kota used to be somewhat strategic during the medieval times. The marauders used this place to get through to the Hadoti region and to the Madhya Pradesh Plains. The forest provides a route to and from these regions.

It was in 1955 that the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a sanctuary by the government. It used to be a very popular hunting ground for the royals who ruled over Kota. In ancient times the vegetation was much denser than now. These dense forests used to be the home of many dangerous animals like rhinos and tigers. This was why it was chosen to be the main hunting area by the Kota Maharajas. The forest area has reduced considerably and the population of flora and fauna species in here has also reduced when compared to ancient time, but this place still houses many animals which makes it worth your visit.

Today, Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary provides a safe home to animals like leopards, antelopes, sloth bears, deer, nilgai and wolves. The number of wolves and antelopes is quite high in the region. If it is your lucky day then you might get a view of the few remaining sloth bears and leopards in the region too. It provides you with a huge opportunity of seeing these animals in their true natural habitat.

If you wish to visit Darrah then you will be happy to know that there is a good number of hunting lodges situated inside the sanctuary. As it was the major hunting ground for the royals some of the lodges were grandly built to accommodate the Maharajas. These lodges are also worth a visit. These lodges are also the best place to get a glimpse of the nearby trees and animals in their natural home.

If you are visiting Kota then you should definitely plan an excursion to the Darrah National Park. The Forest Department has a rest house set up in the region which provides a very convenient accommodation option for incoming tourists. The rest house has all the required amenities to ensure a safe and comfortable stay.

The Jhalwar Fort situated near the sanctuary is a very popular attraction for tourists who are visiting the sanctuary. The fort is somewhat in ruins and is in immediate need of restoration, yet it is a magnificent place to explore. The public meeting area of the palace known as the Jenana Khas is the most magnificent part of this royal fort. Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary allows you an insight not only into the variety of animal species but also into the history of this land. Overall it would be an amazing experience. The best time visit the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is between the months of February and May.

Location

The Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is basically a sylvan reserve which is located about 50 kilometers from the city of Kota. Kota is situated in North West part of India and lies in the Southern region of Rajasthan. It is situated on the east bank of the river Chambal and that is why it is drained with the tributaries of Chambal. Kota is situated at an altitude because it is a part of the Malwa Plateau. The southern to northern axis of Kota is lined with the Mokandarra hills. Bundi is 36 kilometers from Kota. The summers are hot and last from April to June while the cold winters lasts from October to February. The rainy seasons starts in June and ends in August.

Fauna

Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary has its fair share of wild animals. Some of the mysterious animal inhabitants of this sanctuary include wild boars, deer, nilgai, wolves and cheetah. Some other animals in which the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary takes pride include chinkaras, sloth bears, wolves and leopards. The number of reptiles and birds is also good in this sanctuary. Wildlife lovers will have a time of their life exploring the natural and wildlife wonders of this place. Make sure you don’t visit the park during rainy season, because it is closed during heavy rains.

Flora

Apart from having a good number of animal species, the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is also rich in many unique flora species like trees, flowers, medicinal herbs, etc. Tourists generally take a jeep safari into the deep heart of the jungle to explore the fauna as well as the incredible flora.

The sanctuary is said to have more than 266 different species of birds which are a treat to the eyes of bird lovers and bird watchers. The long shrubs and trees provide peaceful shade and the medicinal herbs have many good healing qualities. Treks and Jungle safaris are the best way to explore and fully enjoy this place.

Attractions

Situated in very close proximity to the sanctuary is the Jhalwar Fort. The fort although in needs of restoration is still a very magnificent place to visit. The public meeting area of the palace known as the Jenana Khas is the most magnificent part of this royal fort. The ruins of an ancient Sun Temple known as Jhairapatan, is also a good tourist attraction in the region. This temple is very old and dates back to the 10th century. The Chandrabagha River Banks have a collection of ruins of some ancient temples dating back to 7th and 8th century.

Climate And Best Time to Visit

The summers are hot and last from April to June while the cold winters lasts from October to February. The rainy seasons starts in June and ends in August. The Darrah Sanctuary is closed for public during the months of July to September. Therefore the best time to visit is during October to June. The timings for the sanctuary are 10 am in the morning to 5 pm in the evening.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is in Udaipur which services flights from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, etc. Kota doesn’t have its own airport so you have to use the nearest airport available.

By Road

The Darrah Sanctuary is only 50 kilometers from Kota city. You can take the bus. The bus station is situated along the eastern Chambal bank and located on the Bundi Road. The bus service is available for many nearby cities. Buses from Kota to: Ajmer takes 6 hours, Chittorgarh takes 6 hours, Udaipur takes 6 hours, Jaipur takes 6 hours, Bikaner takes 12 hours and Jodhpur takes 11 hours. Kota is well connected to major cities inside as well outside the state because the National Highway No. 12 passes through the city. The total length of the road as estimated in the year 2000 is 1,752 kilometers.

By Train

The nearest railway station is in Kota which is situated on the Delhi-Mumbai Railway Route. The trains coming to this station are from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Jaipur, etc. The railway station in Kota is located on the extreme northern part of the city. Being a station on Delhi-Mumbai Railway Route via Sawai Madhopur, a good number of trains pass through it. Jaipur is 5 hours away while Delhi 10 hours. The railway line running through the Kota-Ruthia route is spread to 148.83 kilometers, the Nagda-Mathura section is 98.72 kilometers long and the Kota-Chittorgarh section is 24.26 kilometers long. There is also a broad gauge line available between Kota and Jaipur.

Visitor Information

Besides animals the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to many trees, plants, shrubs and medicinal herbs. If you want to visit Darrah Sanctuary you will need to get a special permission from the District Forest Department or from the Forest Ranger. Domestic visitors need to pay only Rs 20 for entry while foreign visitors are required to pay Rs. 100.