Ranthambore is a top tourist destination in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. The one apparent reason tourists visit is to see the Bengal Tigers at Ranthambore National Park, named after the historic Ranthambore Fort. This wildlife reserve was established in 1980 to protect these majestic big cats and other endangered species. Much credit goes to Fateh Singh Rathore, known as ‘Tiger Guru’ for turning Ranthambore into a safe habitat for big cats. If you are interested in knowing about the fascinating facts about the Tigers of Ranthambore, then today, our blog is based on the legendary tigress Machali, who earned celebrity status because of her popularity. Even though she is no more, her legacy still exists in the history of wildlife.
- Name: Machali
- Code: T-16
- DOB: 1997
- DOD: 18/08/2016
- Zone: 2, 3, 4, & 5
Machali, the Queen Mother of all Tigers in Ranthambore National Park
The wildlife of Ranthambore National Park attracts tourists from all over India and worldwide. Machali (T-16) was a tigress who earned celebrity status because of her popularity. She was born in 1997 during the spring season. She is credited with playing an essential role in the rise of tigers, which is why she is called the ‘Queen Mother of Tigers’. She ruled the zones 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Why was she named ‘Machali’?
The name ‘Machali’, that too of a tigress, does seem weird to anyone. But it was not given to her randomly. The fish-shaped mark on her left ear got her this name. She inherited this unique name from her mother, Machali 1, who, too, had a similar mark on her face. Machali had always been a dominant cub who proved her prowess by hunting alone. This showed the sign of separation from her mother. Later, she got a part of her mother’s territory and became a ruling queen.
Titles given to Machali
Besides being known as the ‘Queen Mother of Tigers’ and ‘Tigress Queen of Ranthambore’, Machali also earned other titles. These were ‘Lady of the Lake’ as she dominated most of the lakes around Ranthambore Fort. It was there that she often encountered crocodiles. To your surprise, this tigress earned a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for boosting Ranthambore tourism by attracting tourists from India and worldwide. But her popularity was not limited merely to these titles. Machali became a prime subject in documentaries, journals, short films, books, and wildlife research.
Hunting ability and diet of Machali
Watching tigers in their natural habitat or hunting and capturing them with one’s camera is one of the best activities to do in Ranthambore. Machhali was excellent at her hunting skills she developed with growing age. She used to take down large prey, including all deer species, buffaloes, wild boars, etc, for her diet. The tigress garnered attention when she clashed with a 14-foot-long mugger crocodile. A professional wildlife photographer, Aditya Singh, recorded and documented her fight with the reptile. The video showing her emerging victorious from the grasp of the giant crocodile dragging her became viral, making her popular among wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.
Territorial clash with Sitara (T-28)
Sitara (T-28) was a star male tiger in Ranthambore National Park. He was named ‘Sitara’ because of his five-point star mark on his left eye. He had a habit of acquiring new territories, and because of this, he even clashed with Machali. The territorial fight ended with Sitara’s victory over Machali, who surrendered to him after acknowledging his power. However, both had marked spaces for each other. Sitara died on 20th March 2018. According to the post-mortem, the cause of his death was gastric torsion.
Oldest living tigress (1997 – 2016)
Machali gave birth to 11 cubs from 1999 to 2006 with her male counterparts Bamburam and Nick Ear. Because of her, the tigress’s population rose from 15 in 2004 to 50 in 2014. More than half of the tigers in Ranthambore National Park belong to her lineage. These include Krishna, Arrowhead, Riddhi and Siddhi. Machali was the oldest living tigress known in this tiger reserve. She passed away at the age of 19 on 18 August 2016. Tigers usually live up to 15 years, but she set the rarest example. Many wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists from worldwide had expressed their grief on the demise of this renowned tigress.
Luxury stay near Ranthambore National Park
To experience wildlife with your loved ones, you can plan your stay at Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal. Located in close proximity to the Ranthambore National Park, it is one of the luxury resorts in Ranthambore giving the guests an opportunity to discover the beauty and mystique of the jungle and experience comfort at its 40 well-appointed rooms that are bedecked with thoughtful decor reflecting the heritage of the wildlife destination.
- Rooms
Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, features two luxury rooms. One is the Premium Room with Aravalli View. Bedecked with Rajasthani decor elements, this spacious room category of 500 sq. ft. brings the utmost comfort to its travellers. The liberal use of wooden accents provides warmth to the space. The greenery around here gives you relief from the chaos of city life. In every room, there is an open shower area and cubicle.
Another room category is the Luxury Room with a Plunge Pool. This sprawling space with an area of 550 – 650 sq. ft. is appealing for its design and decor and provides ample opportunity for guests to lounge around. You can sit on a plush sofa to relax or enjoy the company of your loved ones in a private sitout zone.
- Space for hosting special events
Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, is a perfect venue for hosting a destination wedding in Ranthambore. It features a banquet hall of 4200 sq. ft., with a six-seater arrangement style, and a lawn area of 15000 sq. ft.
Having ample spaces allows you to accommodate maximum guests to partake in your moment of happiness. Besides hosting weddings or other events, the resort is also a perfect location for organising important corporate meetings.
- Dining
The resort has one of the best restaurants in Ranthambore, grabbing attention for its inviting ambience, black-and-white chequered flooring, splendid wooden furniture, and art pieces adorning the walls.
It can accommodate 142 guests, both indoors and outdoors. After enjoying authentic Rajasthani cuisine, you can march towards a well-appointed bar that serves the best selection of liqueurs and cocktails worldwide.
Conclusion
Ranthambore National Park is a popular travel destination that attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. The one obvious reason that drives tourist footfall at this wildlife reserve is of course, to get the sight of royal Bengal tigers. Today, we gave you a brief overview of Machali, who earned fame with titles like Lady of the Lake, Crocodile Hunter, and Queen Mother of Tigers. Her legacy has left a forever mark in the history of wildlife even after her death. To enjoy cantar safari, you can book safari by contacting Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore.
