Valmiki Tiger Reserve
Valmiki Tiger Reserve is a large protected area in northwestern Bihar, India, home to wild tigers, deer, crocodiles, and many bird species. The reserve features forests of sal, teak and bamboo trees crossed by rivers like the Gandak, as well as open grasslands and varied terrain types.
The reserve was established in 1976 as a national park to protect its wildlife and plants, and gained tiger reserve status in 1990 to save the Bengal tiger. This development made it the only place in Bihar where tigers live in the wild today.
The reserve is named after an ancient poet who wrote the Ramayana and legend says he stayed in this region long ago. The place holds spiritual importance today, particularly during religious festivals when pilgrims visit nearby sacred sites.
The reserve has three main entrances: Manguraha, Valmikinagar, and Govardhana, each offering activities like safari rides, boat trips on the Gandak, and cycling on trails. The best visiting time is outside the monsoon season when the weather is dry and animals are easier to spot.
The site is known for the Rampurwa Ashoka Pillar in Manguraha, an ancient stone that connects to India's imperial past. The old Gandhi Ashram in Bhitiharwa also tells stories from India's independence movement.
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