The king of Bandhavgarh had been elusive so far. The route we would take that day was sure to give us a sighting. With photography devices and fluttering hearts, we boarded the forest jeep.

Golden arrows from the sky were just beginning to pierce through the thick green canvas. Jumping through the muddy paths, viewing forest inhabitants, we reached the core of the forest. The silence was deafening. Momentarily felt stifled, and a shiver ran down my spine. Something or someone was watching us. The guide was showing us a tree trunk with hundreds of claw marks. The tiger had marked its territory. Thrilling! But couldn’t shake off discomfort…..

Sadly no tiger sighting.

Later that evening everyone said that they had felt being watched. Eerie, I wondered!

Had read of tiger ghosts. Were we being watched by the predator himself or was it?…..