Valmiki national park

Valmiki national park-Bihar
About:
The Valmiki National Park is well dispersed across a pulsating plot that approximately measures 335.64 square kilometers and is sited in the western outskirts of the territorial domain named Champaran that forms a part of the premises of Bihar. Incidentally the Valmiki National Park is a wee fragment of the mammoth Valmiki Sanctuary that covers a sprawling area of around 800 square kilometers.  

The Valmiki National Park made its innocuous presence felt in the early 1990s and since then has procured an apt abode to the flamboyant and majestic creatures regarded as the tigers. In fact, the Valmiki National Park vanquishes the fourth spot in the standings of the reserves that houses maximum number of tigers.

The placid waters of the rivulet called Gandak and the magniloquent apex of the Mount Everest on the western fringe presents a serene and timid ambiance to the Valmiki National Park at Bihar where the king of the beasts can stomp around on the lush grasses with pride and elation.

The Valmiki tract is broken and undulating often showing highly fragile geological formations. As a result, there are steep ravines, knife-edge ridges and precipitous walls formed by landslips and soil erosion.

The great Gandak and the Masan rivers collect all the water from the numerous, tortuous tributaries. These rivers and streams keep changing course from side to side, facilitated by the erosion-prone sandy and immature soil of the banks. Seasonal rivers like Panchanad, Manor, Bhapsa and Kapan display peculiar behaviour of erosion at one place and deposition of transported soil at another place.

Hill system is the continuation of Siwalik Range, largely made of imperfectly compacted and ill-formed sandstone dotted with pebbles and boulders. Owing to the fragile nature of parent rock material, the soil produced at the foothill is immature, loose sand and display sheet. The menace is further aggravated by maltreatment of the forests by people in general, frequent fires and heavy grazing.

The park consists of moist Sal bearing forests, dry Sal bearing forests, moist mixed deciduous forests without Sal, cane and tropical seasonal swamp forests containing reed beds and wet grasslands. The species found in the park include tiger, sloth bear, wolf, various species of deer, serow, leopard, python, peafowl, chitals, sambars, nilgais, leopards, hyenas, Indian civets, Jungle cats, Hog deer, wild dogs etc. One horned rhinoceros and Indian bison often migrate from Chitwan to Valmikinagar. There are 8 villages in the buffer area but no habitation in the core area.
Location info:
Address:valmiki national park ,Patana,Bihar,India
District: Patna
Nearest City: Valmiki nagar
Best time to visit: October to February
Climate/Weather:
Summer: 43 °C – 30 °C, Winter: 21.4 °C – 5 °C
History:
The Valmiki Tiger Reserve, the 18th Tiger Reserve of the country and second in Bihar, is located in the northern most part of the West Champaran district of the State. Core area was declared as a National Park in 1989. Government of Bihar had notified 464.60 sq. km. area as Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary in 1978. Later on, in 1990 an area of 419.18 sq. km. was added to the Sanctuary. Thus Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary embraces a total area of 880.78 sq. km.
Interesting things to do:
 
Interesting things to Visit:
Lauriya Nanadan Garh: 
There is lion pillar of Ashoka, which is a single block of polished sand stone, 32′-9.5″ in height with a diameter of 35.5″ at base and 26.2″ at the top. The pillar is over 2000 year old and in excellent condition. Nandgarh is a huge mound composed of bricks and is about 80 feet height. According to a authoritative source, it is an Ashok Stupa in which ashes of Buddha’s funeral pyre were enshrined.  

Bawan Garhi: 
A name meaning 52 forts. It is also known as Tripan bazar. The remains of 52 forts and Tripan bazar are at Darubari.

Someshwer Fort: 
Someshwar Fort is situated in Narkatiagani sub-division, near Nepal border, on top of the Someshwar hill at 2884 ft above M.S.L. It is in ruined state but its remains are well defined.

Triveni: 
A holy place of Hindu. The name is derived from the fact that three rivers (Gandak, Sonha and Pachanad) merge here soon after they emerge from the hills. Triveni is also believed to be the site at which the fight commenced between Lords of Forest and Water (the Elephant and Crocodile).
Forest:
Bhabar Dun Sal Forest ,Dry Siwalik Sal Forest ,West Gangetic Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest ,Khair – Sisso Forest ,Cane brakes ,Eastern Wet Alluvial Grassland , Barringtonia Swamp Forest .

Flora:
Sal (Shorea robusta), Asan, Karama, Semal, Khair, Cane(Calamus tenuis), Jamun, Siccharrum, Mahulan, Piper, Lagun (Peepar)
Main Species:
Tiger, Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Chital, Sambar, Hog Deer, Black Buck, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Langur, Rhesus Monkey .
fauna and flora:
There is no poaching in core area. Poaching is occasional in the buffer area but as the northern and Western boundaries of the Reserve lie along Nepal and Uttar Pradesh respectively. There is serious problem of poaching and smuggling of teak and cane from Madanpur block of the Reserve to different parts of Nepal e.g. Susta, Ratanganj and Rani Nagar. Armed gangs settled in Nepal are involved in illicit felling.

Valmiki temple:
A Valmiki temple is called an Ashram, which means a hermitage or monastery. It is the communal house for Valmikis. The function of the Ashram is to serve as a center for building up the commitment of devotee’s and for transmitting the Ramayana’s message, and the focal point for the whole community to preserve their culture and traditions.The Ashram is open to all who wish to enter, anyone who goes to the Ashram is welcome to stay as long as they wish and are welcome regardless of race, gender, caste or creed.

Kutagarshala:
It lies at a distance of 3 kilometers from the main town and was constructed by the Lichchavis for Sakhamuni. A large tank, open courtyard and verandah are all that is left of this once famous monastery. In the north of this very site is the Ashokan pillar to commemorate the place where Buddha delivered his last sermon.Amvara or Amrapali’s mango grove: Amrapali the famous courtesan gifted here mango orchard Amvara to the Buddhist Sangha after she heard Buddha delivered his sermon.The ruins of Kings Vishala’s fort from whom the town gained its name, is also a major Tourist Attractions in Vaishali. Abhisekh Puskarini is the sacred coronation tank. The Japanese temple built by Nipponzan Myohoji sect of Japan is another interesting place in Vaishali. Sonepur:
A small sleepy town close to Hazipur, Sonepur comes alive every year on Kartik Purnima when one of the largest cattle fairs of Asia is organised. A whole lot of people turn up to be a part of this fair from both India and abroad. The Bihar state Tourism Development Corportaions make accommodation arrangements in traditional huts for visitors coming to this fair. Muzaffarpur:
Muzaffarpur is located 35 km from Vaishali and is also known as the lychee kingdom. In ancient times, it is believed, Muzaffarpur, along with the modern district of Champaran and Darbhanga, formed the Lichchavi kingdom. Today, the city is one of the most important one in north Bihar and has plenty of historical sites in closeby areas to roam around.
Mobile range info:
 
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:The Valmiki Nagar rail head is 5km from the park.
Nearest Airport:Patna airport is at Patna at a distance of 295km.
Road Transport:There are bus services from Valmiki Nagar to Bettiah ( 80km) the nearest town.
Nearest Visiting places:
Gol Ghar:
This bee hive shaped granary was built in the year 1770 after the outbreak of a terrible famine. It is one of the oldest British structures in the city and once you reach its top after climbing a series of steps, you will get a good view of the River Ganges and the city.This enormous beehive-shaped structure was constructed as a state granary. A series of surrounding steps lead to the top of this huge building that commands a nice view of the river Ganges and Patna city.  

Harmandirji:
Built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, this dome shaped structure houses many Sikh scriptures and personal belongings of Guru Gobind Singh.The shrine was built to consecrate the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru (prophet). Many Sikh scriptures and the personal belongings of the prophet are preserved in this dome-shaped structure.

Kumhrar:
Nearly 5km away from Patna, this is the site of ancient Mauryan capital Patalipra. A huge 80-pillared hall of the Mauryan dynasty is an important find from the excavation.An archaeologist’s delight, this spot is marked by a huge 80 pillared hall. It is actually the ruins of Ashokan Pataliputra which in its heyday was comparable to Venice of the East.

Jalan Museum:
The Museum has been constructed at the site of the fort of Sher Shah. The personal museum preserves a great collection of jade, Chinese paintings and silver filigree work of the Mughal period.The personal collection of Diwan Bahadur Radhakrishnan Jalan is housed in this museum. The jade collection, the beautiful Chinese paintings and the exquisite filigree work of the Mughal period form a part of its excellent repertoire.

Agam Kuan:
This archeological remains of a deep well is one of the major tourist attractions in Patna. It is believed to be associated with the time of Ashoka.Believed to date back to the Ashokan period, this deep well draws a large number of visitors.

Patna Museum :
Locally known as the Jadu Ghar, this museum houses an amazing collection of bronze sculptures and terracotta figures. Its most precious object is the Didarganj Yakshi.The museum displays a prized collection of archaeological finds from different sites in Bihar. Metal and stone sculptures of the Maurya and Gupta Periods, terracotta figurines, ashes of the Buddha and a 16meters long fossilized tree feature among the exhibits. Patna Museum. The museum boasts of an amazing collection of Buddhist art, dating back to somewhere around 8th century AD to 12th century AD. The most magnificent pieces of art consist of the statues of Avalokitesvara and Maitreya. Apart from that, the city also houses some large pillars and the foundations of a Buddhist Monastery, known as Anand.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Petrol Pump:Bhagalpur,Bihar,India   Petrol Pump:Bhagalpur,Bihar,India
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Nand Hotel:Sabzi Market,Saharsa,Bihar,India   Satkar Hotel:Saharsa,Bihar,India Sana Rest House:Saharsa,Bihar,India
Things to carry:
 
Tips & Suggestions:
 
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Sadar Hospital:Khagaria,Bihar,India
Sadar Hosiptal:Begusarai,Bihar,India
Refinery Township Hospital:Begusarai,Bihar,India
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link: