Our first tiger sighting in Ranthambore

I had read about Ranthambore in a magazine and wanted to visit the park. It was a last minute trip and we decided that we would reach there and figure out some tatkal safari permits. Our plan was to take enjoy the property and Ranthmabore fort. So we booked our train tickets ans stay at Taj Sawai Madhupur Lodge for three-night stay and took off.

After a smooth train ride and an early morning check-in to the hotel, we started reaching planning on how to we get some safari permits. In those days, tatkal permits could be procured in person by visting the Forest Department's booking office. For this, we would go 3-4 hours prior the safari time and wait in the queue with locals guides and drivers and just pray that we get some tickets.

It was a weekend so we didnt keep any expectations of gypsy seats, but we got lucky to find 2 seats to go into Zone 2 which was a dominant male tiger's territory. To tell you a bit about the zones, Ranthambore National Park comprises of 1,334 sq km and this is divided into ten zones. According to the law, 20% of the total area is open for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. In spite of Zones 1-5 to be considered as the core zones of the park, tiger sightings in the other zones have been gradually increasing over the years and is now quite sought after as well.

Animals that one are often sighted are tigers, spotted deer, bluebull, sambar deer, wild boars, peacocks, monkeys, eagles, owls, crocodiles, etc whereas animals such as leopards, slot bears, striped hyenas, jungle cats, caracals, palm civets, etc are rather rare to find.

So coming back to our safari, the canter came to pick us up at 3 pm sharp from our lodge. After picking up everyone from their respective hotels, we reached the main entrance of the Ranthambore National Park. Our guide informed all tourists about the basic rules that need to be followed while visiting any jungle:

• No spilling garbage on the forest floors

• No honking under any circumstances

• Make the least amount of noise when we are near animals

• No feeding animals

• No smoking in the forest

• No stepping down from the canter/gypsy

As soon as we entered the jungle, the first thing that we did was take in a big breath of fresh forest air. We were greeted by many langurs, peacocks, antelopes, sambar and deers and sighted a fully grown black antelope which is the largest in Asia.

Zone 2 is also home to India's second-largest banyan tree. When it comes to tiger sightings, we didn't have any. However, we were not disappointed as Zone 2 also has some beautiful red cliffs and is very scenic. But I guess it wasn't our day as the officials told us that the tigers had gone into the areas which we were not allowed to access.

The next day, we woke up at 4 am to reserve our seats for a 6.30 am safari and were extremely lucky to get permits in Zone 3. This is the territory with a tigress with three 11-month-old cubs. Zone 3 is also very beautiful as it has three lakes and a small mahal/fort where maharajas would rest during their hunting expeditions. The same palace is used by tigers as their resting place. Our safari started with some lovely sightings of langurs playing in the trees.

After a few minutes, we heard a noise made by a deer. Our guide told us this sound made by the deer when they sense a tiger or leopard is nearby. We quickly headed in that direction and saw few vehicles had already reached. After waiting for a few minutes we went a little further. It was less than 10 minutes that we heard another alarm call made by another deer and that's where we found this gorgeous tigress T19 who was fondly called Krishna; sitting very calmly amidst trees.

Within 200 yards, we sighted her beautiful three 11-month cubs; 2 male and a female who later were named Arrowhead, Lightning and Pacman. They were moving towards an artificial watering hole to quench their thirst from the summer head.

I found tigers to be the most ferocious animal and their look and behavior imprinted on me. I gazed at them to my. heart's content and then started taking my first pictures in the wilderness from my new Nikon DSLR 5100 and iPhone 5. After a few minutes, we heard a mother T19 growl in a bid to call her cubs back. It was only then that the cubs started walking back in her direction and disappeared into the wild once again.

One important lesson for all you first-timers - never give up on the hope of seeing tigers in the wild. All you need is patience and this will pay off.

After this visit, Ranthambore became just like our bi-annual pilgrimage.