Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park — Attraction in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is lucky to have such forest patches but unfortunately the administration has failed to protect this territory that has fallen prey to massive encroachment. Now what's left if this beautiful place is just about a few acres of land with some deer.

This place has two areas, one a nature park and other the protected area where the deer are enclosed. You need to purchase a bus safari ride ticket to get a 10-15minute ride in a rickety bus inside the park. There is of course a long queue you will have to stand in before you get your chance to board, as the place is quite popular with visitors and there is only one 20 seater bus.

What's guaranteed is sighting the deer, which are now quite used to the bus strolling into their area. You can sight a few peacocks and some monkeys too. The deer are provided plenty of water and dried grass placed on huge tarpaulin sheets and they get some shelter from the sun inside of a place that's covered in a high thatched fence.

What's interesting is there is a part of the patch where you can observe trees with twisted trunks akin to russia's dancing forest.

The park area is well facilitated with toilets, drinking water, a mini museum and also a small dusty library that always remains locked. There are huge lawns, a marked area called the butterfly park and a pagoda that was probably never cleaned since inception. There is a small snacks stall too for refreshments.

Would like to specially mention that a section of the park is turned into a resort of sorts with living accommodation. This is a part which is let out for functions, parties and celebrations. I guess you need to have some contacts in the right government departments to book this. Unfortunately, the people booking this tend to play loud music, do open cooking and strew tons of garbage, especially plastic and thermocol plates, plastic cups and newspapers. It's a complete mess and disturbs the animals and damages the habitat. This needs to stopped. Unfortunately local bucolic culture seems to take precedence over nature conservation.

Overall, this is kind of a place we keep going back to once in a few years just to get a glimpse of nature to soothe our eyes. It's quite kid friendly and children...

Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park is a national park located near Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Here are some key features of Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park:

Location: Situated around 15 kilometres from the city centre of Hyderabad, the park is easily accessible, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists.

Size: Covering an area of approximately 3,758 acres, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park is one of the largest green spaces in the region.

Deer Population: The park is known for its large population of deer, including the endangered blackbuck. The conservation efforts within the park have contributed to the protection of these species.

Flora and Fauna: Besides deer, the park is home to various other fauna and flora, providing a natural habitat for different species. It's also a haven for birdwatchers, with a variety of avian species.

Mahavir Harina Vanasthali: The park is named after Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, and "Harina," which means deer. "Vanasthali" translates to "forest area."

Conservation: Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park plays a role in the conservation of wildlife, particularly the blackbuck and other native species. It contributes to the preservation of natural ecosystems.

Eco-Tourism: The park attracts visitors interested in eco-tourism, nature walks, and wildlife observation. There are designated trails and viewing points for visitors to explore the park.

Jain Temple: Within the park, there is a Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavir. The temple adds a spiritual dimension to the natural setting.

Visitors to Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park can enjoy a blend of natural beauty, wildlife conservation, and cultural elements. It serves as a recreational space and an important area for the protection of biodiversity...

The natural vegetation and fauna of the national park attracts tourists to visit the haven of wild animals. The park is established in the year 1975, in the commemoration of the 2500th birth anniversary of ‘Lord Mahavira’.

Mahaveer Harina Vanathali National Park was a private hunting ground for the former rulers of Hyderabad. The ‘deer park’ is set up to preserve the heritage and make a rehabilitation center for the animals. The national park is now an important tourist destination where the tourists can locate various animals and birds. There are birds like Partridge, Quails, Peacocks, Doves, kites and Vultures.

The national park is the also the homeland for animals like Monitor lizards, Mongooses, Porcupines, Snakes and Horses. The floras like Neem, Butea, Bauhinias, Accacias and many thorny shrubs increase the richness of vegetation of the national park.

The national park has the facility for audio-visual sessions, the bird watching, the nature walk and the jungle safaris will surely give the tourists to spot the animals in their respective habitats. The exhibition hall displays various items of the wild life conservation.

The guest houses near the national park give the tourists to enjoy the adventure and the excitement of the jungle and the wild animals. Being located in the outskirt of Hyderabad, the park is well networked by road as well as rail route. Visitors are allowed to enter the park and enjoy the pure ambience where birds fill up the place with their chirping and colors. There are scopes for safari rides from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm and the national park remains open from 9 am...