Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, also recognized as Sariska Tiger Reserve, is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, between the coordinates 27°42’33.31” N / 76°28’35.92” E and 27°3’44.89” N / 76°16’27.75” E. Spanning an area of 1203.33 sq. km, it comprises a core zone of 881.11 sq. km and a buffer zone of 322.22 sq. km amidst the Aravalli hills.

Historically, Alwar finds mention in ancient tales, beginning with the story of Prahlad and Hiranyakashap, and later in the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas spent a year in exile at Virat Nagar. The region rose to significance under the Bargujar rulers and was once part of the expansive northern Indian empire governed by the Gujara Pratihara dynasty.

Sariska originally served as a hunting ground for Alwar’s royal family. After India gained independence, the forest came under government management. The area was first declared a Wildlife Reserve in 1955, upgraded to a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1958, and finally designated as Sariska Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1979.

The reserve experiences a mostly dry climate throughout the year, but during the monsoon, it transforms with dense vegetation. In summers, temperatures can rise to 45°C, turning most of the forest a dusty brown, except for the lush valleys.