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 Datia
- Accommodation Details
69 km from Gwalior, on the Delhi-Chennai main line, Datia
is a town whose antiquity can be traced back to the Mahabharata.
A town of great historic significance, Datia's seven-storeyed
palace built entirely of stone and brick by Raja Bir Singh
Deo in 1614, is considered to be one of the finest examples
of Bundela architecture in the country. Within the palace
are some fine wall paintings of the Bundela school. An interesting
blending of cultures can be seen in the frescoes in a temple;
Datia's other attraction is its imposing Gopeshwar Temple.
Sonagiri
This sacred Jain hill lies 3 km to the North West of Datia
and is 5 km from the railway station. There are 77 Jain
temples, built in rows on the hill and its slopes, and date
back to the 17th century. Of these the temple dedicated
to Chandranatha, the 8th of the 24 Tirthankaras, is quite
a large one and the most beautiful. A large annual fair
is held here in the month of Chaitra (April).
Pawaya
Known as Padmavati in ancient times is a fascinating complex
of ruins, 68 km away, on the Gwalior-Jhansi road. Pawaya's
ruins still bear testimony to the days when it was the capital
of the Nag Kings, in 3 AD. Particularly noteworthy is the
lifesize statue of Chaksha Manibhadra of 1 AD. The ruins
of the medieval fort built by the Parmars and the nearby
Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo temple are Pawaya's other attractions.
Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary, Chambal Ghariyal Sanctuary
and Ghatigaon Sanctuary - more info available in Wildlife
Guide section.
Tigra Dam
23 km. A pictureque setting for recreation.
Chambal
 An
Untamed Wilderness
A wild river. Broken hills. Deep ravines. And to top it
all the violent legends of man and beast. Welcome to the
Chambal. A rugged, raw, untamed wilderness right in the
heart of India.
Flowing through a total length of 435 kms.
National Chambal Sanctuary is in three states of M.P, U.P
and Rajasthan. The River Chambal is one of the country's
most beautiful and least polluted river systems.
The National Chambal sanctuary was formed
to protect this pristine river ecosystem, complete with
its varied flora, aquatic life and avifauna. With its headquarters
at Morena, M.P.
An aquatic life paradise
The Chambal River which is the mainstay for the entire wildlife
of the sanctuary harbours a variety of aquatic life like
the elusive Ganges River Dolphin, Crocodile (muggar), Gharial
(Gavelia Gangeticus), Freshwater Turtles, River Otters and
a various species of fishes. All of which can quite easily
be seen by tourists within the sanctuary area, specially
in the middle reaches in the downside of Rajghat Bridge
on National Highway No. 3.
The Crocodile centre at Deori Moreno nearby
is the only one - of - its - kind in the entire state of
Madhya Pradesh and has recently been opened to the public.
The centre helps breed and rehabilitate Crocodiles and Gharials
in the Chambal. Thanks to which the river now boasts of
a population of over 1600 Gharials and 200 Crocodiles. Active
efforts are now on to protect the Ganges River Dolphins.
A Cruise for Dolphins
The rare Ganges River Dolphin (platanista Gangetica), the
sole member of the cetaceans group is one of the main attraction
of the sanctuary. So called the Queen of Chambal, the Dolphins
inspite of being blind can be seen pursuing their playful
antics in the water while coming out to breathe for air.
The Chambal Sanctuary is one of their safest breeding areas.
And one has to be really lucky to sight one while cruising
in the Chambal. Flights of Fancy.
The surrounding environs of the river are
a true bird watchers delight. During the season (November
- March) one can see thousands of migratory and resident
birds flock at the shores of the river. A least 150 species
of birds have been identified. Species of birds in abundance
are the Bar-headed Geese, Brahmini Duck, Common Tea, Pelicans,
Flamingoes and Cormorants. One can have an easy sighting
of the Indian Skimmer - the highest population of which
in the world is found in Chambal.
Live & Let Live
Tourists to the sanctuary can enjoy its many sights by motor
boats specially provided by the Forest Department of Madhya
Pradesh. Complete safety within the peripheries of the sanctuary
is ensured by the local authorities. And one can freely
enjoy the natural wonders of the sanctuary which during
the 50's & 60's was largely hidden due to the presence
of dacoits.
Stringent measures to protect the fragile
ecosystems of the sanctuary are followed by the authorities.
The visitors are also advised not to disturb, spoil the
serenity of the surrounding environs or help in poaching
activities directly / indirectly.
How to get there?
The National Chambal sanctuary can be easily reached by
road, rail and air.
By Road
65 kms. South of Agra,
55 kms North of Gwalior on National Highway No. 3.
By Rail
270 Kms . South of Delhi.
By Air
The nearest airport is Maharajpur at Gwalior (50 kms away).
Accommodation
- Deori - Eco Centre, Morena.
- Gwalior - Various non-star hotels & Star Hotels.
- Agra - Various 5 star and 3 star hotels.
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