Home » North India Tourist Destinations » Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
One of the bulky, excellent bird parks in the globe, Bharatpur Bird shelter (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a preserve that offers defense to faunal kind as well. Nesting native water- birds as well as migratory water birds and riverside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Flora in Bharatpur: More than 300 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29 sq km of which 11 sq km are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dark, referring to the chunky forest, which used to cover the area.
A Man Made Natural World: While many of India's parks have been developed from the hunting preserves of princely India, Keoladeo, popularly known as Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary, is perhaps the only case where the habitat has been created by a maharaja. In earlier times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded regularly every monsoon. In 1760, an earthen dam (Ajan Dam) was constructed, to save the town, from this annual vagary of nature. The depression created by extraction of soil for the dam was cleared and this became the Bharatpur Lake.
At the beginning of this century, this lake was developed, and was divided into several portions. A system of small dams, dykes, sluice gates, etc., was created to control water level in different sections. This became the hunting safeguard of the Bharatpur crowned heads, and one of the best duck - shooting swamp in the world. Hunting was prohibited by mid-60s. The neighborhood was declared a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage Site in December 1985.
Major Wildlife Attractions: The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous traveling birds, which come from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia and spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird refuge include, more than a few kinds of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
Other Travel Attractions
Bharatpur Govenment Museum: One of the major attention grabber after the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of Bharatpur, which provides a glance of the past noble splendor of Bharatpur.
Bharatpur Palace: Not far from the museum is the Bharatpur Palace and marvelous structural mix together of Mughal and Rajput structural design.
Lohagarh Fort: The unbeatable Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered in spite of several attacks by the British government.
Deeg Palace: Located just 32-kms away from Bharatpur is the Deeg Palace. A strong and enormous fortress, Deeg Palace was the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and houses abundant beautiful palaces and gardens.
Trips within Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary: There are sharp forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are existing on hire. Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park administration in bird inspection and are quite conversant. Boats are also available on take into service. An early sunup boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to check out the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.
Best time to visit: Best Time to Visit bharathpur bird sanctuary is from the month of August to November for occupant birds & October to February for traveling birds.
How to get there:
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to Bharatpur is at Agra, located at a distance of 54 km.
Nearest Railhead: Bharatpur has its own railway station.
Road: Bharatpur is easily reachable by roads
Please send us your enquiry and we will respond within 24 to 48 hours.