Panna, the erstwhile capital of the Bundela Kingdom in Madhya Pradesh is famous for the Panna National Park. Panna Town, the administrative headquaters of Panna District, is the hub of many religious monuments, which showcases the architectural Marvel's of Hindu and Islamic styles. Adorned with greenish meadows dotted with evergreen trees, undulating forests, hills and rocks, Panna serves as a perfect place for holiday tours.
Panna National Park was created in 1981. It was declared as a Project Tiger Reserve in1994. The National Park consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. The sanctuary compromised of territorial forests of the present North and South Panna Forest Division to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur forest division was added later. The reserved forests of the Park in Panna district and some protected forests bordering Chhatarpur were the hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states in the past. The location of the National Park is crucial as it is situated at a point where the continuity of the forest belt, which starts from Cape Comorin in the south is broken and from there beyond, the great Gangetic plains begin. This area is also the northern most tip of the natural teak forests and the eastern most tip of the natural Kardhani forests. The Ken river, which flows through the reserve from south to north, is home for Gharial and Mugger.
Tiger, the king of the jungle, roams freely in the secure habitat along with his fellow creatures like leopard, wild dog, wolf, hyena and caracal and smaller cats. Sloth bear has his most favorite home in the rock escarpments and undistributed vales. The wooded areas are dotted with sambar - the largest of Indian deers, chital and chowsingha. Other animals that can be found are nilgai, chinkara, snakes and reptiles.
There are more than 200 species of birds including migratory birds. One can see White Necked Stork, Bar-Headed Goose, Honey Buzzard, King vulture, Blossom Headed parakeet,etc.
Panna has dry and hot climate and has shallow Vindhyan soil which give rise to dry Teak and dry mixed forest. The dominating vegetation type is miscellaneous dry deciduous forest inter spread with grassland areas. The characteristic floral species of this area include tree species such as Tectona fransis, Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuva indica, Buchnania latifolia, etc.
OTHER PLACES TO EXPLORE
Fort of Ajaygarh
Built in 1765 AD by the nephew of the Maharaja of Jaitpur, the fort is situated at a height of 800 ft. However by 1809 the Britishers overpowered it.
Gatha Falls
The height of Gatha fall measures up to 91 meters.The Gatha falls are at their prime during the rainy season, when the river water swells to the maximum. River Ken is the water source of Gatha Falls.
Mahamati Prannathji Mandir
It is one of the most revered pilgrim places for the Pranami sect followers the world over. The temple was completed in 1692. Other than this Padmavati temple, Jugal Kishore Temple and Kalinjir Fort are with a visit.
National Museum
It was established in 1988. It has a remarkable collection of icons and coins.
