Whispers of the Night

Sighting Big cats under the night sky is always a fascinating and an un-real experience for me.

One such magical encounter unfolded on a cold winter night, amidst the enchanting Sal forests of Kanha National Park.

With limited visibility and tracking opportunities offered during a night safari it makes it even more challenging to sight a big cat. But if we happen to stumble upon one, it is truly an unforgettable experience.

At night, the jungle completely transforms.

Bird song is blanketed by the Buzzing of cicadas

And the trees are covered in an ethereal glow of fireflies.

We were driving through the forest for quite a while now, without any signs of big cat activity. The sight of a million stars and tantalizing fireflies were keeping us mesmerized, as we drove through the tranquil beauty, in the land of the jungle book.

As we stationed our vehicle, listening to distant alarm calls of an alarmed sambar deer, I heard what sounded like something walking within the thickets; something heavy.

Just was we were moving ahead, our guide exclaimed! " Tiger, Tiger, Tiger"

Beside the road, in the partial illumination of the headlight, was a huge male tiger walking. The sound of something walking belonged to this male tiger, who was gradually walking towards us, while we were listening to alarm calls.

The tiger walked on the road for a while, before disappearing into the embrace of the forest.

I was left speechless, as I had witnessed my first yet one of the most magical big cat encounters amidst the Sal forest.

Male tiger drifting through the night