Madhav National Park, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh India

The Madhav National Park is situated on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands of India. It is a part of the upper Vindhyan hills, forming plateaus, and having small and big nallas. The slopes are generally gentle, rarely steep. Spreading over an area of almost 355 sq.kms., the Madhav National Park is fascinating mix of natural splendors of history and architectural wonders. The park, one of the oldest, is situated in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, near Shivpuri town. Madhav got the status of a National Park in 1958.

The park is unique in having both lake and forest ecosystems. Sakhya and Madhav Sagar are the two lakes in the park, which are important biodiversity support systems. These lakes not only add to the natural beauty of the area, but also provide a permanent source of water to the wildlife, and a fine wetland habitat to the aquatic fauna including thousands of migratory waterfowls. Marsh Crocodiles are in abundance in Sakhya sagar lake. Due to this, the lake looks like a "Crocodile Safari" and attracts special attention of tourists. 

Madhav Shivpuri National Park Madhya Pradesh is a heaven for all you adventure freaks and wildlife buffs. The hunting grounds of the erstwhile royal family of Madhya Pradesh it is a famous wildlife sanctuary now located in Shivpuri. The private shooting reserve of Maharaja of Gwalior it is also believed that from the dense forests of Madhav Shivpuri National Park, Akbar once captured elephants for his stables in the year 1564.

 Madhav National Park is situated in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Spread over an area of 354.61 sq.km, the park was set up in the year 1959. Previously, the park was the hunting reserve of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior and the Mughal rulers. It has been recorded that Emperor Akbar captured elephants from here and over the years the elephant numbers had reduced quite drastically by the greed of the overzealous Mughal rulers. Madhav National Park is unique, since it remains open throughout the monsoons unlike other national parks and sanctuaries.

The park is rich in its flora and fauna which compels the nature admirers to visit this park. Besides wildlife, this park is also famous for some other attractions.

George Castle, built by the Jiyaji Rao Scindia, is situated in the dense forests of the park at a high point. Hundreds of tourists visits this spectacular George Kaisal fort in Madhav National park. Named after British emperor George V, it is said that in 1911, George V reached this area to hunt a tiger in the forests. The then Gwalior province ruler Jiajirao Scindia constructed the two-storey marvelous fort at the top of a highest hill for him. It was studded with Belgium glass and Italian tiles besides stone from here. It was said that the British ruler killed a tiger before coming to the fort and returned sans visiting the citadel but the monument was famous after him. The fort was one of the magnificent edifices built inside the Park and now developed as attractive tourist spot. From here, the view of the placid lake is exceptional and the best time to visit the castle is at evening when the setting sun lights up the lake like a mirror.