Area: 209.53 sq. m

 

Recommended Season: January to May

 

Established: 1981

 

Panna National Park is a national park located in Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh in India. It has an area of 542.67 km2 (209.53 sq. m). It was declared in 1994 as the twenty second Tiger reserve of India and the fifth in Madhya Pradesh, Panna was given the Award of Excellence in 2007 as the best maintained national park of India by the Ministry of Tourism of India. It is notable that by 2009, the entire tiger population had been eliminated by poaching with the collusion of forest department officials. 

 

Panna Tiger Reserve is just 25 km from Khajuraho-a mere half an hour drive. Tiger sighting is always a matter of chance but regular sightings are reported. Cheetal, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Langoor, Wildboar and Jackal, are frequently sighted. Gorges and falls along the course of the Ken River in the Reserve are beholding. Dynamic dry deciduous forest undergoes dramatic change from lush green in monsoon to dry grey in summer. Relics of Gondwana period (rule of the tribal people of Central India) are scattered all over the Reserve. Besides the wildlife watchers (around 12000 annually), Panna gets visitors (around 20000 annually) who exclusively visit the famous Pandav Fall. 

 

PANNA NATIONAL PARK 

 

Extending over 543 km, spread along the banks of the River Ken, the park's topography is a magnificent one of deep gorges, tranquil valley and dense teak forests. During the monsoons, the park is a lush green haven with cascading waterfalls. The park's area includes the former shooting reserves of the erstwhile royal state of Panna and Chhattarpur and the jungles today harbour many species of wildlife. The tiger can be glimpsed here, along with other rare species such as the Leopard, Wolf and Gharial. Herds of Blue Bulls, Chinkaras and Sambars are a common sight. The Wild Boar, the Sloth Bear, the Cheetal, the Chowsingha, the Indian Fox, the Porcupine, and a host of lesser fauna are also seen. A separate sanctuary for Gharial has been set up. The park can probably boast of the highest density of the Paradise Fly-Catchers. This rich avian and faunal life combined with its picturesque scenery make a visit to the Park a memorable one. 

 

AJAYGARH FORT 

 

36 km from Panna. An old fort, built at a height of 688 metres, it was the capital of the Chandelas during their decline. Chhatrasal gave it to his son Shri Jagat Raj in 1731. 

 

NACHNA 

 

40 km from Panna, Nachna was a famous city of the Nagvakataka and Gupta Empire. It is known for the Chaturmukha Mahadev temple named after the colossal four faced lingam which is still enshrined inside.