The secrets of the flood plains...

Nestled in the North Eastern part of India, wedged between the eastern Himalayas and the mighty Brahmaputra lies a magical expanse of wilderness...An enigmatic place where grasses grow tall enough to engulf an elephant; a land that drowns under the torrential floods of the Brahmaputra each year, only to rise from the devastation like a phoenix; a land where India's gigantic mammals rub shoulders. A place fondly christened Kaziranga !

A 5 hours drive from Guwahati Airport along the National Highway 32, brings you to this wonderland of wildlife. The four distinct zones of Kaziranga go by the names of Burapahar , Bagori, Kohra and Agaratoli, and each of them boasts of spectacularly diverse wildlife.

Each year tourists throng this place, but only a few absorb the unique beauty offered by Kaziranga. Declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, the landscape of Kaziranga is shaped by the flood waters of the Brahmaputra. These waters leave behind rich deposits of fertile alluvial soil, which provides cradle for a spectacular assortment of biomes. The landscape of Kaziranga is characterized by its signature grasslands, ubiquitous water bodies and woodlands. Kaziranga is hailed as one of the greatest success stories of conservation of one of India's rarest mammals; an animal so unique that it has often been termed as Unicorn !...the Indian One Horned Rhino. Along with it, Kaziranga provides safe haven to the Indian Elephant, Asiatic Water Buffaloes and the elusive Tiger.

After having visited this magnificent forest a number of times, it's only fair that I dedicate a photographic tribute to the magnificent kingdom of Kaziranga...

As the day breaks, a thick layer of fog shrouds the grasslands...The safari elephants embark on their routine journey of ferrying tourists back and forth through the grasslands. The elephant safari continues to be a favourite activity amongst tourists

As the Sun peeps through the veil of fog, the expansive grasslands of Kaziranga reveal themselves in all their splendour...

A curious Hog Deer checks out our Gypsy, as we pass through. The Hog Deer are found in plenty in Kaziranga and form one of the major prey bases.

A female rhino stands guard as her calf grazes around. The rhinos form the signature species, with Kaziranga providing sanctuary to more than 2,500 of these mighty creatures.

The forests of Kaziranga are a paradise for bird lovers...The unique looking Giant Hornbill is one of the most coveted birds, and a photographer's delight...

A Black Necked Storks forages in search of fishes and amphibians. With its sword like beak, this bird is one of the most aggressive birds and accomplished hunters. They are often seen wading through the innumerable water bodies of Kaziranga in their hunting mode...

Sun sets over the expansive grasslands with the Shivalik ranges in the backdrop...

Come February, and Kaziranga comes ablaze as the Silk Cotton Trees come in full bloom, The fallen flowers cloak the game track in a layer of red, creating a red carpet for the magnificent beasts to tread upon. An Asiatic Water Buffalo stands amidst the red flowers before scampering off...

A magical sunrise over the Western Range of Kaziranga as the rising sun gradually illuminates the eastern Himalayan ranges and the expansive water bodies...

Elephants are absolute darlings to watch especially when the entire herd is foraging together. Kaziranga is a paradise for elephants and they can be observed in large numbers on the banks of the Shohola Beel in the Agaratoli Range

And the rare moment !!!....Finally the elusive Tiger of the grasslands show up, only to turn back and disappear like a phantom...Tigers in Kaziranga are notoriously shy and do not reveal themselves like their central Indian cousins...Seeing one of them requires loads of patience and a final dash of luck !

Water Buffaloes are imposing beasts and the largest bull reserves the mating rights. An alpha male stares straight at us sending a few shivers down our spine !!

The Indian Soft Ground Barasingha or Swamp Deer is another rare species which calls Kaziranga home. The Shohola Beel in the eastern range is one of the best places to observe these creatures, as they graze along with the herds of buffaloes and rhinos

The mighty Brahmaputra touches the eastern zone of Kaziranga and tourists are allowed to alight here to catch a glimpse of the river. A family picture before the World plunged into the pandemic crisis

An elephant drinks from a waterhole, with a flock of Spot Billed Pelicans for company. The Pelicans are some of the largest wader species found in Kaziranga

Kaziranga is best explored in a Gypsy safari. Be prepared for a dusty ride through the grasslands, but rest assured it would be worth the hardship, as nature rewards you with some spectacular moments

A pond heron stands vigilantly, as the setting sun creates beautiful silhouettes. Kaziranga is a photographer's delight and abounds with wonderful frames and moments.

Kaziranga is easily accessible from Guwahati and Jorhat, which are well connected with the rest of the country through rail and air. There is no dearth of hotels and accommodation options near Kaziranga. However, staying in the central range is most strategic, as it allows access to all other zones very easily. The Burapahar range is the only range where you get a glimpse of the Hoolock Gibbon. The Western(Bagori) range is quite popular for tiger sightings and hence frequented by wildlife lovers keen to photograph the Kaziranga tiger. The Central (Kohra) range embodies Kaziranga with its signature grasslands and thriving wildlife. It is probably the best zone to observe and photograph the Indian Rhino and elephants. The Eastern (Agaratoli) range revolves around the largest water body of Kaziranga, the Shohola Beel. Personally one of my favourite zones, it is bird lover's delight as the banks of Shohola throng with various species of waders and raptors. It is also possibly the best zone for watching elephants.

There ends a short journey through the magical grasslands, adios till my next blog !