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The very
name evokes a picture of a land untamed,
raw and powerful. A land that over the
centuries has harboured countless mavericks
from blue-blooded kings to self-styled
rulers of the wild.
Now relive
the experience in this ancient land
full of ravines, wildlife, legends and
folklore.
Embark
on a unique adventure - THE CHAMBAL
SAFARI , an opportunity to explore the
natural, cultural and historical heritage
of the Chambal Valley.
The River Chambal
is an 'unholy' river, and if ever there
was blessing in disguise - this is it!
The Chambal Safari remains one of Northern
India 's most pristine and unpolluted
rivers, home to a remarkable variety
of flora and fauna. In a land where
myth, folklore, history and time merge
effortlessly, the Chambal is said to
have originated from the blood of cows
sacrificed by an Aryan King in his quest
for supremacy.
Threatened by the
King's ambitions, the Brahmins placed
a curse upon his head, and all that
was associated with him, including the
bloodied river. We have been unable
to find out what happened to the King,
but the curse on the river certainly
worked; there are no temple towns along
the course of this river.
In 1979 a 400 kilometers
stretch of the river was designated,
the National
Chambal Safari and given protected
areas status. The century currently
boasts of 242
species of resident and migratory bird
species, Marsh
crocodiles (muggers), gharial
(gavials), eight species of turtles,
and Gangetic
dolphins.
The Chambal
Safari is an endeavour to acquaint
visitors with a land that has retained
its unique landscapes and rugged charm.
The mere 77 kilometers south of Agra
and the Taj Mahal, it is a world far
removed from the chaotic madness of
modern Indian cities. Lush green fields,
remote little hamlets, majestic ruins,
stark ravines, and the clear blue-green
Chambal water, combined with grace and
beauty of its residents to create an
island of tranquility and raw natural
beauty.
Ride
a jeep through the ravines, take
a camel ride
through the hot sands, cruise down the
river, walk through sunlight fields,
laze under the
sun, and end the day by looking
up at the starlit sky, basking in the
warmth of old
world hospitality.
The Chambal Safari
is a fascinating journey through an
ancient land, a reminder of all that
was once ours and all that we may irretrievably
lose.
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