We have only one stop planned today after we get settled into our accomodation near Ranthambore. Specifically we want to visit the Ranthambore Fort that can be visited without a special permit, everything else inside the National Park is permit based only. So inside the park we go with our driver passing by the majestic gates and through the jungle that supposedly might already hold tigers.
The Fort is really popular due to a major temple inside, the parking lot is full and we have to park by the side of the road and then walk to the entrance, watched as always by langurs we think. However the sentry is sleeping, bad bad sentry.
From the parking lot it is up and up and then up again. The fort is at the top of a rock outcrop with lots of stairs and protective gates along the way.
Most supplies needed by shops and pilgrims at the top are brought in by donkeys. And we pass them repeatedly trying to avoid the erratic donkeys who really would prefer to do anything else than climb the mountain.
There are some birds along the way and lots of langurs everywhere. Luckily they are the “good” monkeys and don’t seem interested at all in us or in our cameras.
One more push and we are in front of the impressive gates for the inner fortifications. We are now on the plateau, we hope and ready to explore the fort.
As we enter there are a few ruined buildings next to the entrance that we explore. They are quite scenic but also popular with other visitors, mostly Indians as it seems we are the only white people that made the climb.
The interior courtyard is surprisingly vast and natural looking. We assume that most buildings have been razed at some point and with everyone making a beeline towards the temple we decide not the explore the outlying buildings if there is anyone else. This is because of the guides and beggars, and wouldn’t you know it each building has at least one suspect person sleeping or waiting in front of it.
Even so we find quite a few interesting birds including a beautiful Brown Rock Chat, a common bird but a lifer for us.
We then pass a temple which is now under repairs and arrive at the palace in the middle of all, Hamir Palace. We can visit it only from the outside as it is closed inside.
It is time to make our way towards the famous Ganesh Temple which is on another outcrop still protected by the palace walls. There are some nice views as we make our way from one outcrop to the other, but no interesting waterbirds on the surrounding lake.
As we approach the temple we see as usual the monkeys waiting for handouts and more interesting some offerings on the fences.
The temple is at the end of the trail and quite popular with humans, langurs and also buffalos. No one even bats an eye which is fun really. Inside it is very crowded but we catch a glimpse of the altar before retreating to not disturb the other visitors.
Returning we enjoy the wildlife in a more relaxed manner even though we are accosted by at least two people along the way begging or who knows what.
We pass a few more temples on our roundabout route but we decide not to visit them to escape any undesired attention and then it is time to descend towards the parking lot and our car.
On the return road the driver is more engaged and stops multiple times showing us animals and birds and even a fake owl, we found out it is fake only when at home while there we assumed it is actual similarly to our driver. He takes us then to our accomodation for our afternoon and evening program of birding on the grounds before the safaris tomorrow which are our best chance of seeing tigers while in India.
