Bharatpur Travel Guide
Bharatpur, 55 km from Agra is best known for it's bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo
Ghana National Park.
Bharatpur is a 55 km long journey by road from Agra. Best known for it's
bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, with a rich avian variety,
is perhaps the finest in Asia . Every year the rare Siberian cranes migrate
here to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur.
The splendid Bharatpur Palace has a large number of ancient exhibits that
date back to the early 15th century. The maharajas of Bharatpur became famous
for the bird-lands they carefully developed in the marshes just outside Bharatpur.
In old times, the duck shoots hosted here were attended by several maharajas
and visiting British dignitaries. These splendid bird-lands have now been
converted into a remarkable, if small, national park.
Bharatpur town has nothing to offer but is set in a region rich in history,
replete with the old forts and palaces of the Jat kings. Deeg, with its pleasure
palaces, is oft visited. The proximity to the Taj Mahal at Agra adds attraction
to Bharatpur. There are also other interesting places nearby, including Dholpur,
Karauli, Goverdhan and Bayana.
Landmarks
KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
Just outside Bharatpur, considered to be one of the world's outstanding heronries,
covering an area of just 12 square miles, this is an interlocking ecosystem
of woodlands, swamps, wet prairies and dry savannah. Home to over 370 varieties
of birds, more than 115 species are migrants flying in from Central Asia, Siberia
and Western China during the winter months. Perhaps no other bird sanctuary
in the world has so many different species within so small a radius, creating
an uniquely rewarding bird watching experience.
The park originally called Ghana meaning "dense" takes its name
from the ancient temple of Keoladeo, where Lord Shiva is worshipped. This
park was painstakingly created in the 19th century by diverting the waters
of a nearby canal to the arid scrublands, creating a series of dykes and dams.
The new ecosystem that emerged became an ideal habitat for birds of all kinds.
Exotic migratory birds front Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet as well as
Siberian cranes from the Arctic, greyleg geese from Siberia and barheaded
geese from China, come here in July/Aug to spend the winters in the warmer
climate here, and they breed till Oct/Nov. Colonies of cormorants, spoonbills
torks, egrets, heroins, pelicans, ebis and grey heroics can be spotted all
over the Park. The raised paths camouflaged by babul trees make it easier
to spot them.
PLACES TO VISIT
Lohargarh Fort : This massive iron fort, conceived and designed by Maharaja
Suraj Mal, the founder of Bharatpur, was built in the early 18th century. With
its impregnable defences it withstood several British attacks. The fort has
three palaces within its precincts - Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and Kothi Khas.
Government Museum : A rich collection of artefacts, exquisitely carved
sculptures and ancient inscriptions are exhibited at the Government Museum located
in the Palace.
Exotic migratory birds front Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet as well as
Siberian cranes from the Arctic, greyleg geese from Siberia and barheaded
geese from China, come here.
Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj : A few of the original eight imposing towers
still stand erect within the ramparts of the Lohargarh fort. Two of them - Jawahar
Burj and Fateh Burj are of special interest. These were built by Maharaja Suraj
Mal to commemorate his victories over the Mughals and British. The coronation
ceremony of the Jat rulers of Bharatpur were held at the Jawahar Burj.
The Palace : This royal edifice has elements of Mughal and Rajput architectural
styles, with intricately designed floor tiles of interesting patterns. Ancient
exhibits are displayed in the museum here.
Deeg (32 km) : Deeg with its exquisite complex of pleasure palaces lies
22 miles north of Bharatpur. Created in the mid-eighteenth century by Raja Badan
Singh with additions by Raja Surajmal, this was an idyllic refuge from the battles
which the erstwhile rulers constantly waged. Once the summer resort of the rulers
of Bharatpur, it served as the second capital of the region. This interesting
town has massive fortifications amidst beautiful gardens.
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