Sighting Of Our Dreams – Ranthambore

Seeing our dream – Ranthambore!

We had waited & dreamt about this for long. We had endured cold mornings & afternoons as December in Rajasthan is mighty cold. Many safaris were taken. 

The Search Begins

The latest was the one of that afternoon as the sun set into the west & dust falling on the horizon we climbed higher in the forest in wake to find the animals. The experience was an adventure in a 4-wheel drive safari jeep. The winds were high, harsh & cold in Ranthambore. The terrain was rough with boulders. With the expertise of our driver on barely drivable paths, rotating our necks for a 360-degree view, we reached the highest point of the reserve, but in vain. We did see other natives of the locality like the marsh crocodiles, deer & a variety of birds.

Search continues in Ranthambore

We were on a safari spree, as the sighting was what we had come for. The next day, at 4:00 a.m., with the morning with mercury touching the zero level flanked with all the available woolens & hot tea, we boarded our Canter safari. Praying & promising rewards to the guide & driver. Luck seemed to be running out after scanning the reserve for hours. We were dejected on not having spotted any of the big animals.

About to give up

A sharp whistle reverberated in the eerie silence of the reserve, a cue for the guides who understand. They tell us we might be having a sighting soon. With fresh hope, all jeeps & canters line up. The long lenses of the camera were focused again. Rewards were promised to the guide & we waited in anticipation as the time ticked. Slowly, in the rugged, stone-paved deciduous forest of Ranthambore, located in the Aravali ranges on Vindhya plateau, which is surrounded by rivers like Chambal & Banas as the main water source for the animals.

With the fall season approaching, the tall grass was green, yellow & orange, and the leaves carpeted the grounds. The trees without leaves seemed like eagerly waiting for the new sprouts, the rivers with soothing sound continued their journey forward, as we drank in the surroundings.

The Wait & Inner Thoughts

Patience is a rare spice to humans. Sitting there, I realized that we have encroached on their habitats with so many vehicles with emissions, Cameras & noise. We wish to get a sighting of that, too, in a stipulated time. The aahhh!!!!!!!! & shhhhhhhhh made me turn my head towards where all heads turned, there I saw MACHLI walk down the Hill.

The Wait is over!!!!!!!

MACHLI, as the guide told us, with her cubs ruled the forest, the mother prowled towards the kill made a few days ago with utmost grace, dignity & power. As I captured every step, transfixed on her, she made a halt. She scanned the surroundings with her amber glowing eyes and roared twice that was to tell her cubs to stay put as aliens were around (Humans & lots of humans in vehicles).

Machli began her majestic Walk, mere 10 meters away, and cameras capturing every frame. Seeing with my naked eyes, I wondered about the creation of God & fell once again in love with the Almighty. Almost camouflaged in the grass, Machli was beautiful with yellow-brown velvet skin & Black stripes. Making eye contact & giving the most capturing Photo moment. She reached the kill, taking powerful strides to pull her pray to where her family can have dinner, yes dinner. She took her time to finish her job, and we took ours to spend time with her as it was just not enough such was the sight. YES, it was the sighting of our dreams in Ranthambore. 

Moment of Satisfaction & Reward

As she returned to her family, MACHLI made an everlasting Impression of poise, Grace, Dignity, Power, Love, Emotions & adaptability.

Seeing the tourists footfall I felt We have encroached the natural habitats of the animals no doubt they are wonderful beings & we are fascinated by them & they are worth Visiting but it’s their home, they have their battle’s to fight let’s not make it more difficult for them. Rules & limitations need to be understood & followed strictly.

Pull of the Jungles

Back from Ranthambore, I reeled in the same zone. Though I am back at my home now, I realized I had given a little piece of heart to MACHLI. AS one of the frames captured adorns my home today, I feel the same Eye Contact moment with MACHLI. I wish to visit the place again though MACHLI is no more she ruled & her stories are legends to be told. Featured on many TV shows, the sighting of my dreams is etched in my mind & feels like just yesterday.

Did you like reading about Ranthambore? Read my other Blog;

The Apricot Bloom – Ladakh

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