Few tigers in India have become larger than life and have become well known for their survival instincts, their ever so popular family lineage and legendary fights. These tigers have been on the cover photos for top magazines and part of new international wildlife documentaries. Here are 15 famous tigers that are most popular in India.
1. MUNNA:
Munna is also known as the “CAT” of Kanha Tiger Reserve. He is probably the only big cat in the world which has the symbol CAT written on his head. Munna has a reputation for stalking vehicles for over an hour until they pull off the safari track. The struggle for dominance was not easy as Munna had to coddle in many fights to gain his present territories and in one such fight, he sustained a leg injury after which he became limp for quite an extended period and attained the name Langda or Limp. Despite his struggle, Munna is a reigning tiger of Kanha at present. Also, known as, the Langda/Meadow Male, Munna is a dominant tiger of Kanha National Park who is also reckoned to be the most photographed tiger in the park.
Best Time to Visit: Mid October to June End
How to Reach:
1. By Air: Jabalpur is the nearest airport connected directly with Mumbai and New Delhi.
2. By Rail: Gondia & Jabalpur are the Nearest Railway Stations for accessing Kanha National Park. Gondia station is 145 kms away from the destination and takes 03:00 hrs from Kanha’s Khatia Entrance Gate. Jabalpur railway station is 170kms and takes 04:00 hrs drive from Kanha’s Mukki Entrance Gate.
Activities: Enchanting Forest and Wildlife
2. BAMERA:
Bamera is the beautiful male tiger at Bandhavgarh National Park. Like B2 (famous tiger who died in 2011) Bamera is now in the twilight stage of his rule. In all likelihood, Bamera’s offspring Banvehi will continue the family reign. He is big, majestic, and a luxury to watch when he walks. Tranquil by the vehicles, and the tourists he walks like a Lord of the Jungle.
Best Time to Visit: October to June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The airport nearest from the park is Khajuraho. Flights available from Delhi to Khajuraho and 7-8 hrs drive to Tala park entrance at Bandhavgarh.
2. By Rail: Nearest railway station is Umaria which comes after Katani train station. 40 minutes drive from Umaria station to Nature Heritage. Else, you can also take the overnight train from Delhi to Umaria and drive (30 minutes) to the park.
Activities: Bandhavgarh Fort, Village Tala, Baghel Museum, Fossil National Park & Wildlife
3. COLLARWALI:
The Collarwali Tigress is the dominant female in Pench National Park. She is also famous for giving birth to five babies in the winter of 2013. She was born in the year 2005. She is known for her hunting skills and most of all for bringing up her litters extremely well. Named after the radio collar that this female star Tiger wears, Collared is a favourite of many wildlife enthusiasts. Fame came to this tigress early as she was born to an already famous tigress in the jungle. Collared or Collar Wali is also known for giving birth to the ‘famous five’, which is still so popular in the national park.
Best Time to Visit: October 16th to June 30th
How to Reach:
1. By Air: 102kms from Nagpur, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is connected to Delhi & Mumbai and other places by regular flights. Jabalpur is 192 km’s and serves as a suitable airhead with regular flights from Delhi.
2. By Rail: Nagpur is the nearby railway station connected to Delhi & Mumbai and other places in the region by regular trains. Jabalpur also serves as a convenient railhead linked to Delhi and other parts of the country.
3. By Road: A National Highway joins the Pench National Park to Nagpur and Jabalpur. The drive time from Nagpur is 2 hrs (102 km’s) and from Jabalpur is 4 hrs (197 km).
Activities: Jungle Camp, Bird Watching, Horse riding, Jungle Safari, Spa, Indoor Swimming & More.
4. TELIA:
A middle-aged tigress and an excellent mother Telia is the pride of Tadoba. She frequents the Telia Dam hence she was named after it. Her territory encompasses about 20 sq km which is quite large. She has sired one litter of 3 cubs and tended four children who comprise of all females. The children have grown up and in the process of separating from the mother.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October to 15th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport is at Nagpur. Flights from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata regularly fly to Nagpur. The total distance from Nagpur is 140 km. Taxis can be hired from Nagpur airport to reach the national park.
2. By Train: The nearby railway station is at Chandrapur, just 45 km from the destination. The train station is connected to Mumbai, Nagpur, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Jhansi. Continous Buses and private taxis are available from the railway station to reach the place.
3. By Road: There are many buses from Mumbai, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Pune to Chandrapur and Chimur located about 45 km and 32 km respectively.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
5. SHIVAJI:
Shivaji is known for his bulk and aggressiveness. One of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve’s most famous big cats, Shivaji is a prime example of a dominant male. This fat cat, also known for his enormous bulk and aggressiveness, is usually seen patrolling around a 50 sq km radius of the Kolsa Range. He belongs on every tiger-watchers must-see list. The size of this male tiger defies our imagination. Though cats alter their territory often, big males like Shivaji manage to hold the key habitats throughout their youth.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-15th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport is Nagpur, about 140 km away. Daily flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to Nagpur. Private cabs can be hired/rented to reach the national park.
2. By Train: Chandrapur is the nearest railway station, 45 km from the park. This railway station is connected to other stations like Nagpur, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai.
3. By Road: Buses are available to reach the reserve from Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Jalgaon. Local transport can be hired to come to the sanctuary from Chandrapur to the destination.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
6. GABBAR:
Gabbar is famous for his temper. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve’s Gabbar who is one of the most photographed tigers in the park. This fat cat is famous for his temper. He shares his name with the most famous villain in Bollywood from the film Sholay. He is also the dominant territorial male in the area. Gabbar can be seen roaming around the Jamni Chowk and Hilltop areas of the reserve.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-15th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport is Nagpur, about 140 km away. Daily flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to Nagpur. You can hire/rent a taxi/cab to reach the national park.
2. By Train: Chandrapur is the nearest railway station, 45 km from the park. This railway station is connected to other stations like Nagpur, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai.
3. By Road: Buses are available to reach the reserve from Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Jalgaon. Local transport can be hired to come to the pool from Chandrapur to the destination.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
7. SITARA (T-28):
Star Male “Sitara” is the dominant tiger in Ranthambore National Park. Reckoned to be amazingly powerful, this big tiger was first seen at the end of 2006. It is believed to be the son of tigress T-27. Sitara is known as one of those tigers that gave star tigress Machali (deceased) a neck to neck fight. In the winter months of 2009, Sitara and Machali were seen combating for the territory several times. At present, the territory of Sitara overlaps with that of Machali, and he reigns over Jhalara, Nalghati, about the entire Mandoop plateau and the three principal lakes. Not only this, this Star Male Tiger managed to take the terrain of Machali, but he also mated with her two young daughters Unnis and Sundari.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October to 30th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport to arrive at the Ranthambore National Park is Sanganer Airport. The distance between Jaipur and Ranthambore is about 180 km. There are daily flights from Jaipur from all the major cities including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, etc.
2. By Rail: The railway station nearby is Sawai Madhopur, which is located 10 km from the park. The tourists can avail local bus or cab to reach the park smoothly.
3. By Road: Ranthambore is connected with all the major cities and town. It can be achieved through private buses and taxis.
Activities: hiking, nature walks, game safari, bird watching
8. MALIKA:
The queen of Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Malika is the most visited tigress in sanctuary. This tigress was first seen in the year 2008 and is believed to have three siblings that include two male and one female. Malika is famous as a skilled tree climber and love chasing Bisons and gaur. An expert at adapting to the harsh weather conditions, she is reckoned to be an unbeaten survivor in Tadoba National Park. She has given birth to 3 cubs in 2011, whose father is supposed to be the M6 Tiger, named Amitabh. She is the proud mother who has passed her survival skills to her litters.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October to 15th June.
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport is Nagpur about 140 km away from the destination. Flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata regularly fly to Nagpur.
2. By Train: The nearest railhead is at Chandrapur that is just 45 km from the park.
3. By Road: State transports buses and private taxis from Mumbai, Nagpur, Jalgaon, Pune, do ply regularly to Chandrapur.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
9. AMITABH:
Yes, you heard it right. Amitabh is named after famous and popular Bollywood film star Amitabh Bachchan. This young tiger inhabits in Tadoba National Park and is, in fact, one of the most famous tigers in the park. Amitabh was primary spotted in January 2010 and is supposed to be the part of Duana Family. As a brilliant hunter, he is considered a tiger that for all time finds the choicest meal in the jungle. Although a courageous and strong tiger, Amitabh has been seen running quite a few times from angry sloth bears. He is popular amongst visitors in Tadoba, as he is the one who is mostly seen.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-15th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport is Nagpur, about 140 km away. Daily flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to Nagpur. Private taxis or cabs can be hired to reach the national park.
2. By Train: Chandrapur is the nearest railway station, 45 km from the park. This railway station is connected to other stations like Nagpur, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai.
3. By Road: Buses are available to reach the reserve from Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Jalgaon. Local transport can be hired to come to the sanctuary from Chandrapur to the destination.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
10. JHUMRU / JHUMROO:
Jhumru (T-20) is the large and many predators in Ranthambore. Jhumroo is the oldest male in the park that descended from the dynasty of the great Machali, being her son. If Machali is called as – Lady of the Lakes, probably Jhumroo is called as – Lord of Lakes, since, after Machali, it was Jhumroo who reined her protective areas including the lake. From strapping young cub to large male, the journey of Jhumroo in this park is just incredible. At present, this 9 feet long male tiger is ruling over the forest by dominating the region around Padam and Malik Talao, and the entire summer is being spent in the cold confines of Rani Bagh.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-30th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearest airport to reach is Sanganer Airport. The distance between Jaipur and Ranthambore is 180 km, and there are regular flights available for Jaipur. The tourists can take a direct taxi from Sanganer Airport to reach the destination safely.
2. By Rail: The nearest railway station is Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, which is located at a distance of 10 km from the park.
3. By Road: Many private buses and taxis are available to reach the place.
Activities: Hiking, Nature Walks, Game Safari, Bird Watching
11. USTAD:
Ustad is known officially as tiger T24, was the largest tiger at Ranthambore, and was known for being particularly bold around humans. Poachers and loggers didn’t dare penetrate his forest out of fear for their lives. A local hotel executive claims that Ustad did the job of 100 forest guards. A tragic sooth about this T24 is that his land was the main road to Ranthambore Fort and to the Ganesh Temple, which has medium to high human social activity in his province.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-30th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearby airport to reach is Sanganer Airport. The distance between Jaipur and Ranthambore is 180 km, and there are regular flights available for Jaipur. The tourists can take a direct taxi from Sanganer Airport to reach the destination safely.
2. By Rail: The nearest railway station is Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, which is located at a distance of 10 km from the park.
3. By Road: Many private buses and taxis are available to reach the place.
Activities: Hiking, Nature Walks, Game Safari, Bird Watching
12. NAMDEV:
Namdev is a huge male tiger in Tadoba who has an extensive territory either side of Tadoba Lake. Tigers change their territory often, but big males like Namdev manage to hold the prime habitats throughout their youth.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-15th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearby airport is at Nagpur, about 140 km away. Daily flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata to Nagpur. Private Taxis can be hired/rented to reach the national park.
2. By Train: Chandrapur is the nearest railway station, 45 km from the park. This railway station is connected to other stations like Nagpur, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai.
3. By Road: Buses are available to reach the reserve from Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai, Jalgaon. Local transport can be hired to come to the reserve from Chandrapur to the destination.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
13. SULTAN Born to tigress Noor (T-39), Sultan or in other words the Emperor is looking for his territory. His boldness to stare down at tourist jeeps and centres even at a young age has bound people to bestow him with this name. He was first spotted in summers of 2012 when he was about four months old with his mother, Noor. Sultan is reckoned to be a genius, as he has the best of his mother, who is one of the greatest huntresses of Ranthambore National Park and his father Ustad (T-24), who is reckoned to crown the ferocity chart in the forest. With rare genes like these, Sultan is very expected to become the face of the national park in the coming years. Sultan is the next biggest thing that one should look forward to in Ranthambore National Park.
Best Time to Visit: 1st October-30th June
How to Reach:
1. By Air: The nearby airport to reach is Sanganer Airport. The distance between Jaipur and Ranthambore is 180 km, and there are regular flights available for Jaipur. The tourists can take a direct taxi from Sanganer Airport to reach the destination safely.
2. By Rail: The nearest railway station is Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, which is located at a distance of 10 km from the park.
3. By Road: Many private buses and taxis are available to reach the place.
Activities: Hiking, Nature Walks, Game Safari, Bird Watching
14. KATRINA:
Katrina is out of the three cubs born to a tigress in the Bor’s no tourism zone called as Khorikhapa in the summer of 2011. It is is the first time any tigress had delivered four cubs in Bor. The cubs are growing up and in the process of separating from the mother. Born and brought up in the area, she is known as the most camera-friendly tigress.
Best Time to Visit: October to June
How to Reach:
1. By Rail: The nearest railway junction is Wardha, which is 35 km away from the sanctuary and Nagpur is the nearby airport situated at a distance of 80 km.
2. By Road: Hingni is the nearby bus stop, at five km. Tourists can hire private jeeps or car that can take them to the sanctuary.
Activities: Wildlife Safari
15. JAY / JAI:
The handsome hunk “Jay” is presently one of the most royal tigers in central India today and is a jewel in a crown of Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. Jai was born in 2010 to a tigress Mai. Jai travelled an aerial distance of around over 70 km through Nagzira, Kisanpur, Kesalwada and Koka. Afterward, it crossed the NH-6 (national highway) between Bhandara and Sakoli followed by Vainganga River to arrive at Umred Karhandla sanctuary in Bhandara district.
Best Time to Visit: October to June
How to Reach:
The closest Airport is the Nagpur Airport (Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport). About 58 km from Nagpur, spread over Umred, Pauni, Kuhi and Bhivapur Taluka. Takes about 1 to 1.30 hrs to get to the sanctuary from Nagpur. It is located 40 km north of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, 50 km southwest of Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and 60 km from Nagpur.
Activities: Wildlife Safari, Bird watching
So, what are you waiting for? Pack up your backpacks and get ready for the Wildlife Jungle Safari with your family and give a visit to all the 15 tigers today. The Tigers are waiting to welcome you!
