The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the best and famous wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in India that is artificially made by a Maharaja. One of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is located in Bharatpur city of Rajasthan and also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Indigenous water birds and many migratory water birds can be seen in this sanctuary along with larger animals such as Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.


The foundation of this Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary was laid in 1760 when the Maharaja of Bharatpur made an artificial lake and the dam at this very site to store the water brought by the annual floods in this area. Over 300 bird species are found in this 29-sq-kms-wildlife park of divided into the stretches of marshes, scrubland and grassland. It got its name as Keoladeo Ghana Park on account of an ancient Hindu temple at the centre of the national park devoted to Lord Shiva. The term 'Ghana' is derived from Hindi, which means dense and refers to the thick forest, which covers the entire area. Bharatpur became a national park on 10 March 1982, and was given the status of a World Heritage Site in December 1985.


History

One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection 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.


Flora in Bharatpur

More than 300 species of birds are found 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, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.


Major Wildlife Attractions

The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous migratory birds, who 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 sanctuary include, several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.


Other 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.

How To Reach

• Air
  The nearest airport is situated at Agra, which is 56-kms from Bharatpur.
• 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
• 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.