Bharatpur

Renowned all over world for Keoladeo Ghanna National Park, Bharatpur is located at a distance of 55kms from Agra on the route to Jaipur. Bharatpur provides one of the best options for bird lovers taking the famous circuit of Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur

The most suitable place in terms of habitat and climate all over India, Bharatpur is a paradise for migratory aquatic birds. It is considered one of the few places in the world for matchless and excellent experience and delight of ornithologists.

The Keoladeo Ghanna Bird Sanctuary is a UNESCO world heritage site and has a distinction of having over 410 species belonging to 64 different families. The endangered Siberian Cranes are the biggest attraction as a rare migratory bird, arrive into Bharatpur in the Indian winter season. Tourists from all over world flock Bharatpur to have a glimpse of this rare bird.

The bird sanctuary offer rich Flora and fauna, spreading over a total area of about 29 square kms.

 

History

The rich history of Bharatpur relates to the epic age and the city was named after the brother (Bharat) of lord Rama. Legends say that another brother of Lord Rama (Lakshman) was the main deity of the people of this place. Lakshman was regarded as family deity of rulers of Bharatpur and, confirmed from the fact that his name is also engraved on the ancient seals and arms of the state.

Bharatpur shared an important place in Indian history in Mahabharata period. It was the kingdom of Matsyas in the fifth century BC who supported Pandavas in the war against Kauravas.

Later evidence shows that the city was founded by Rustam, the clan of Sogariya Jats and was ruled by his son, Khemkaran after him.

The Bharatpur was on top during the rule of Maharaja Suraj Mal. He was from Jat community and Jats were a formidable force and dominated the region from his period onwards. He built a huge wall around the city to make it impregnable fortified city to save it from the intruders.

 

Keoladeo National Park

Earlier, a duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Bharatpur, aquatic birds from Europe, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia migrate to Bharatpur in winters. The species of birds found include the Siberian cranes, storks, spoon bills, white ibis, Cormorant, Darters, Herons, Egrets, geese, ducks, pelicans, flamingos, eagles, vultures, owls, and kingfishers.

Species of animals found in the sanctuary includes the Jackal, Hyena, Flying fox, Porcupine, Blue bull, Sambar, Mongoose and Red faced monkey.

The park is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset around the year. However, winter is the best time to watch migratory birds.

Shallow wetland ecosystem was created by the flooding of water inside the sanctuary which suited the a variety of birds to make it their habitat.

Hunting was banned in 1964 and it was in 1982 when the efforts of environmentalists resulting in declaring the place as a national park.

Now, it is one of the most important places in the world for the breeding and feeding of birds.