Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, officially known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is one of Rajasthan’s most important wildlife and bird-watching destinations. Located near Bharatpur in eastern Rajasthan, the park is famous for its wetlands, resident birds, and large numbers of migratory birds that arrive during the winter season. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important wetland for birds along the Central Asian migratory flyway.

History of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The history of Keoladeo Ghana National Park is closely connected with the rulers of Bharatpur. The wetland developed from a natural depression that was modified with embankments and water-management structures. The construction of the Ajan Bund helped create a wetland that attracted large numbers of waterbirds. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was used as a royal duck-hunting reserve. In 1956, the area was declared a bird sanctuary. It later became a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 1981 and was declared a National Park in 1982. In 1985, Keoladeo National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, the park is managed as a protected natural habitat rather than a hunting ground. More than 370 bird species have been recorded here, including many migratory waterbirds. The park also supports animals such as nilgai, deer, jackals, wild boar and several reptiles.

Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The best time to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is from October to March, particularly during the winter months when migratory birds arrive in large numbers. Ducks, geese, waders, raptors and other waterbirds can be seen around the wetlands during this period.
October to November: Pleasant weather and increasing numbers of migratory birds make this a good period for nature lovers.
December to February: This is the main winter bird-watching season and is particularly popular with birdwatchers and photographers.
March: The weather starts becoming warmer, but the park can still be rewarding for bird and wildlife observation.
Early morning is generally a comfortable time for exploring the park, when bird activity is often high and temperatures are pleasant.

How to Reach Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
By Air: The nearest airport mentioned by Rajasthan Tourism is Agra Airport, approximately 56 km from Bharatpur. Delhi is another major airport option for travelers arriving from other parts of India or internationally.
By Train: Bharatpur is well connected by railway and lies on the Delhi–Mumbai broad-gauge railway route. Regular rail services connect the city with destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra. The railway station is approximately 5 km from the park.
By Road: Bharatpur is connected by road with Jaipur, Agra, Delhi and other cities in Rajasthan and northern India. Traveling by private car or taxi is convenient for combining the bird sanctuary with nearby destinations such as Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura and Jaipur.

Monuments in Bharatpur

Monuments in Bharatpur The history of Bharatpur dates back to 5th century BC, when the Matsya kingdom flourished here. The Matsyas were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. Legends say that the origin of the name Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram. Laxman, the other brother, was given the most prestigious position as that of the family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur. His name also appears in the state seals and coat-of-arms.

In the early 18th century, Maharaja Suraj Mal captured the fort of Bharatpur by vanquishing Khemkaran, the rival chieftain and laid the foundation for Bharatpur. The valiant Maharaja was very keen to expand the cities and is credited with building the numerous forts and palaces that dot the kingdom, including the Pleasure Palace Complex at Deeg.

Bharatpur Tourism is also home to one of the world's best-known bird watching destinations, Keoladeo Ghana National Park (KNP). 250 years ago, the then ruler built embankments that allowed flooding of this land, turning it into a marsh. Named after the dense jungle that surrounded an old Shiva Temple, this 29 square kilometre man-made wetland is renowned for migratory birds – ducks, geese, waders, raptors, flycatchers and more. In winter, avid birders and ornithologists flock to the park to observe and study the feathered beauties. With more than 370 recorded species, KNP used to also host the Siberian crane. It is a World Heritage Site.