Darrah Sanctuary

Area: 400 sq km approx./ 39,200 hectares. Established: 1955 as a sanctuary Accessibility: Nearest Airport: Jaipur (165 kms) By train: 12 km from the Sawai Madhopur Railway station Best time to visit: October-June & December-April.

Darrah Sanctuary in Rajasthan is a historical place where once the Maharajas of Kota used to hunt. It is located 50 km from Kota and is spread in 250 square km of area. The place is a densely wooded area spread over a hilly landscape. It was declared to be protected wildlife sanctuary in year 1955.

It is an abode to a variety of animals including nilgai, deer, wolf, cheetah, wild boar, panther, leopard and many others. The place has splendid natural beauty and wilderness that attracts many tourists from all over the world. If you want to stay near the wildlife sanctuary then you have an option of staying at the rest house having all the basic amenities, and the forest department runs it. One usually has to take permission from the local forest ranger or the district forest office in Kota to visit the sanctuary.

Near the sanctuary one can also visit Jhairapatan, known for a sun temple belonging to 10th century. The places around the reserve also have remnants of a number of forts depicting the history of the place. The erstwhile Darrah Sanctuary has been a wonderful natural escape from the time of the Maharajas and till date it is an eminent retreat from the busy life for the tourists.