‘Machhli’ is a seventeen year old tigress who rules Ranthambhore, a tigress whose majesty is assured as much by the gaze of millions she arrests with the distinctive ‘fish’ mask outlining her eyes.
The legend of Machhli as the world’s most photographed cat with stripes, as she’s regarded, has survived a generation, and there are many who wish it would last another. After all, the tiger’s survival is a cause dear to us all.
Machhli’s popularity is not astonishing for nothing. She is the world’s oldest documented tiger alive. Hundreds of photographers attest to her fame, helped along in no small measure by the picturesque setting against which she has spent a life being captured on film, the deceptive serenity of the lake territory along an Aravalli ridge crowned by the imposing ramparts of the Ranthambhore Fort.
Machhli’s lack of camera shyness has given dozens the thrill of watching a big cat hunt in broad daylight. She is totally oblivious of humans in a jeep.
It’s a rarity that has given Machhli the honor of a ‘lifetime achievement award’ bestowed upon her by Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) The tigress now has her territory in Lakarda area of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.
Having given her bit to the Ranthambhore tiger reserve, it is now honor time for Machhli, A commemorative postal cover on her is released by Rajasthan CM Mr. Ashok Gehlot and Tourism Minister Bina Kak on Wednesday, September 18, 2013.
The postal department of India will carry the picture of this Ranthambhore National Park’s tigress on its envelope. In a few months, a postal stamp will also be released on Machhli.
When ever you feel Ranthambhore breaking into a chilling cacophony of langoor shriek and sambar calls. It would sure be the sound of fear And Machhli would be correctly identified!!
So, wait no more and plan your jungle safari with British colonial style Ranthambhore Kothi and you never know, you may be the lucky one to witness the activities of this legendary eldest big cat of Ranthambhore!
Address: Ranthambhore Kothi, near helipad, village khilchipur,
sawaimadhopur. 322001.
Contact: 07462-252112,113,114,09982252899,09414030217
Ranthambhore Kothi 