Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Location : Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Speciality : Chittal, Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds
Best time to Visit : October to February

The Bird's Paradise
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo Ghana Natiuonal Park is a reserve that offers shelter to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar. The area was declared a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage Site in December 1985.

More than 300 species of birds resides in this small wildlife park of 29-sq-kms of which 11-sq-kms are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is situated at the centre of the park.

Coming to Bharatpur
By Air : The nearest airport is situated at Agra, which is 56-kms from Bharatpur.
By Rail : Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra. The Bharatpur railway station is 6-kms from the park
By Road : An excellent network of roadway services connects Bharatpur to all the major cities of the Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana. Bharatpur is well connected by road from Agra (56-kms, 5 hours), Delhi (176-kms, 5 hours) and Jaipur (176-kms, 6 hours), all of which have airport facilities too.

Check In the Accommodation At Bharatpur
Bharatpur has numerous hotels and accommodation to make your travel to the sanctuary even more joyful. You can choose just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Bharatpur. The various hotel and other accommodations in Bharatpur offer the best of facilities.
Some of the hotels where you can stay are :
» Bharatpur Forest Lodge
» Hotel Chandra-Mahal

Get Absorbed In
The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous migratory birds, who come from distance lands like - Siberia and Central Asia and spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.

Not To Overlook - Attractions
Bharatpur Govenment Museum : One of the major attention grabber after the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of Bharatpur, which provides a glimpse of the past royal splendour of Bharatpur.

Bharatpur Palace : Not far from the museum is the Bharatpur Palace, an marvellous structural blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Lohagarh Fort : The invincible Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered despite several attacks by the British regime.

Deeg Palace : Situated just 32-kms away from Bharatpur is the Deeg Palace. A strong and massive fortress, Deeg Palace was the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and houses numerous beautiful palaces and gardens.