"Sagareshwar deer sanctuary : Rejoice the beauty of nature "
Sagareshwar deer sanctuary is a protected area located at the center of three Tehsils of Sangli district that are Kadegaon, Walva, Palus in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Sagareshwar deer sanctuary is a biosphere reserve. It is a famous sightseeing place in Kolhapur full of natural beauty that will soothe your eyes as well as your mind too.
History of Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary
Sagareshwar deer sanctuary is famous for its religious, archaeological, and cultural significance. The sanctuary gets its name from an ancient lord Shiva temple. Thousands of devotees visit this temple throughout the year. The construction of the temple is constructed with a variety of stones and the temple is present from the Satvahana period, founded by king Simuka in the 1st century BCE.
Significance of the place
Sagareshwar deer sanctuary was covered by grassy hill slopes. It is a dry mixture and thorn deciduous forest. The sanctuary is popular for its wide variety of flora and fauna including trees like Tamarind, Neem, Acacia, Khair, Nilgiri, vast varieties of deer including, Sambar deer, Chital, blackbucks, Muntjac. Having vast varieties of deer populations makes it a deer sanctuary. Blackbucks are mostly found here.
Blackbucks are the central attraction of this sanctuary. Hyena, fox, porcupines are some small carnivorous animals found in this area. A large population of insects and reptiles is also present here.
The sanctuary preserves the IUCN enlisted endangered species to maintain the threshold extinction level. It also protects the flora and fauna from poachers and predators.
It is spread over a range of 11 square km of the region. August to September is the peak tourism season. It is open at 8:30 AM and closed at 5:00 PM.
Sagareshwar is the most important forest reserve in the world. It is also famous for its hill station and Lord Shiva temples.
How to reach
The best time to visit Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary is from August to September.
By air: Travelers can reach the Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary via Kolhapur airport which is 36 km away from the place.
By train: The nearest railway station from the Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary is Kolhapur railway station which is approximately 67 Km away from the place.
By road: There are regular MSRTC buses that connect Sagareshwar to all the major adjacent areas. These are good quality buses that can handle majority of passengers.
Things to do in Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary
If you are interested in wildlife then it is a perfect place for you. You can enjoy sunset scenes from the beautiful temple. There is a watchtower, to overlook the entire forest.
Hiking to the top of a hill in the sanctuary is the most popular tourist activity. Flowing of the Krishna River through the fields of grapevines and sugarcane is another site of attraction. Lord Shiva temple also creates a center of attraction as it is the source of devotion to the people.
Conclusion
Enjoy the essence of nature and wildlife in the sanctuary during jeep safaris.
You can also spend a golden time with your family and loved ones by taking pictures at the grassy hill slopes.
