Bandhavgarh Fort The Bandhavgarh Fort is situated in Bandhavgarh in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh , India . It is located on the Bandhavgarh hill , rising 811 meters above sea level at the centre of the Bandhavgarh National Park . It is a surrounded by a large number of smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys . These valleys end in small , swampy meadows , locally known as ' bohera ' . The fort is also home to many of the endangered species of Vulture in India Origin . No records are available to show when Bandhavgarh fort was constructed . It is thought , however , to be some 2000 years old , and there are references to it in the ancient books , the " Narad - Panch Ratra " and the " Shiva Purana " . Regional folklore suggests that Bandhavgarh Fort was constructed by rulers of the Gond Empire . Gond Kings of Pandro cast are the original builders of this fort and descendants of Gond Kings still inhabit the vicinity of this fort . Gond Kings had constructed 12 " talab " ponds , of which only few remain . This fort ' s construction and architecture are similar to other forts built by Gond Kings . From Bandhavgarh Fort ' s hill " Vanganga " stream originated in Gondi language " van " means surname and " ganga " loosely translates to a pure stream . That may suggest " Pandro " the surname of Gond King may have originated from " Vanganga " . The Bandhavgarh fort derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area , which is said to be given by Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka . Hence the name Bandhavgarh ( " bandhav " as brother , " garh " as fort ) . Bandhavgarh Fort was the business centre for the traders traveling between Kaushambi and Bharhut , at that time known as Bardawati ( Bhaudhya root ) . In the rein of kalchuri ’ s it was called “ Haihay Kshetra ” . The Vakataka dynasty used this place and various stone Writings are found written by them . They made the place to live by cutting stones . There are some ruins found of the Fort in the Bamania Hill near Bandhavgarh and there are many sculptures and coins found in the nearby villages near Bandhavgarh , Bijhariya , Mala which prove the economical and artistic situation of the kingdom . In the reign on Karan Deo ( Vikram Samvat 1245 - 1260 ) , Bandhavgarh was the capital of the southern part of the Gahora kingdom . There are a few statues depicting the reincarnations of Vishnu ( " avatar " ) - like one of the Fish and another of the Turtle . There are some remaining ponds on the hill e . g . " Rani Talab " ( Queen ' s Pond ) . There is a view point on the hill named as Suicide point form which if one is lucky one can see the vultures in flight . One the way back from the fort one can see the gigantic idol of Vishnu lying down , it is also known as " Sesh Shai " . The word Bandhavgarh means the Fort of Laxman and the stone carved " Shesh Shai " also provides further evidence for the origin of this name . History . from Bandhavgarh Fort ' s hill " vanganga " river was originated in " gondi " language " van " = " goutr " means " surname " , " ganga " = " dhara " means = stream that means " pandro " the surname of gond king was originate from " vanganga " that means " gond " king was the first ruler of Bandhavgarh Fort Various dynasties have ruled the fort : for example , The Mauryan s from 3rd century BC , Vakataka rulers from 3rd century to 5th century the Sengar s from 5th century and the Kalachuri s from 10th century . In the 13th century , the Baghel s took over , ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617 , when Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa . The last inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935 . See also . Bandhavgarh National Park The closest rail head is Umaria ( 37 km ) however Katni ( 100 km . , 2 hrs ) and Khajuraho & Jabalpur ( 230 km ) are more connected / well known . You Have to get Private Taxi to Reach Bandhavgarh Because except Umaria there is no regular Bus services to reach here . At Bandhavgarh National Park , there are so many lodges to stay , White Tiger Forest Lodge ( MPT Lodge ) , Golbro Resort , Cell No . 9424973602 . Some budget Lodges are also there like : Kum Kum Home , Pawan Lodge , GTV Resort . You can also opt DHABA ' S for food . There are 2 Park visit i . e . morning and evening , the timings varies as per season . Now there is 3 Zones to visit : - 1 . Tala , 2 . Khitoli , 3 . Maghadhi . If you wish to visit Bandhavgarh Fort then you should opt for Tala Zone . MORE DETAILS