The story of the old fort on the hill, its caves and Shesh Shaiya.
Bandhavgarh is not only about tigers. In the middle of the park stands a very old fort on a high hill. The park even takes its name from it.
This guide tells you the story of the fort in simple words: who lived here, what you can see and whether you can visit.
Bandhavgarh Fort: Quick Facts
The Story Behind the Name
A local story says Lord Ram gave this fort to his brother Lakshman. Lakshman used it to keep watch over Lanka.
That is why the fort is called Bandhavgarh, "the brother's fort". The name of the whole national park comes from this fort.
Who Ruled Bandhavgarh Fort?
Many kings ruled from this hill over hundreds of years. Here is the simple timeline:
| Time | What happened |
|---|---|
| About 2,000 years ago | Old caves were made in the hills. Writing in the Brahmi script was carved in them. |
| 2nd to 3rd century | The Magha kings lived in this area. |
| About 10th century | The Kalachuri kings ruled here. The Shesh Shaiya statue is believed to be from about this time. |
| 12th to 17th century | The Baghel kings ruled from Bandhavgarh Fort. |
| 1617 | The Baghel kings moved their capital to Rewa. The fort slowly became empty. |
| 1968 | The forest around the fort became Bandhavgarh National Park. |
Note: Old history is not always clear. Different books give slightly different dates. The dates here are the most common ones.
The Old Caves of Bandhavgarh
The hills around the fort have many old caves. Most of them were made by people, not by nature.
- There are about 39 caves on the fort hill and the hills nearby.
- Many caves have old writing in the Brahmi script.
- Some caves have carvings of animals, like elephants and tigers.
- Today, tigers and other animals sometimes rest in these caves.
Shesh Shaiya: The Sleeping Vishnu
At the foot of the fort hill is Shesh Shaiya. It is a big stone statue of Lord Vishnu lying on Sheshnag, a snake with many heads.
- The statue is about 10 metres long.
- A small stream starts here. It is the start of the Charanganga river.
- It is a quiet and holy place in the middle of the forest.
On some Tala zone safari routes, the jeep stops at Shesh Shaiya. It is one of the most loved stops in the park.
Can You Visit Bandhavgarh Fort?
The fort is inside the core zone of the tiger reserve. So normal visitors usually cannot climb up to the fort today.
- You can see the fort hill from many places on a Tala zone safari.
- You can visit Shesh Shaiya on some Tala zone routes.
- Rules can change. Ask the forest staff or your guide about the latest rules.
Tip: To see the fort hill and Shesh Shaiya, book a Tala zone safari. Read our Bandhavgarh safari zones guide.
Bandhavgarh Fort and the White Tiger
The forests around the fort were once the hunting ground of the Maharajas of Rewa. In 1951, the Maharaja of Rewa found Mohan, the first known white tiger, in this area.
Later, these forests were protected. Today they are one of the best places in India to see a tiger. Read how many tigers are in Bandhavgarh.
Plan Your Visit
- Book a Tala zone safari to see the fort hill and Shesh Shaiya. See our Bandhavgarh safari booking guide.
- New to the park? Start with our Bandhavgarh National Park guide.
- Want a full trip with hotel and safaris? See our Bandhavgarh tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bandhavgarh Fort?
People believe the fort is about 2,000 years old. The old caves in the hills have writing from about that time.
Who built Bandhavgarh Fort?
No one knows for sure who first built it. A local story says Lord Ram gave it to his brother Lakshman. Later, many kings ruled here, and the Baghel kings of Rewa are the most famous.
Can tourists go inside Bandhavgarh Fort?
Normal visitors usually cannot climb up to the fort today, because it is inside the core zone. You can see the fort hill and visit Shesh Shaiya on some Tala zone safaris.
What is Shesh Shaiya in Bandhavgarh?
Shesh Shaiya is a big stone statue of Lord Vishnu lying on the snake Sheshnag. It is about 10 metres long and sits at the foot of the fort hill, in the Tala zone.
Which safari zone has Bandhavgarh Fort?
The fort and Shesh Shaiya are in the Tala zone.
Why is it called Bandhavgarh?
"Bandhav" means brother and "garh" means fort. The story says Lord Ram gave the fort to his brother Lakshman.
