Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary also called as Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a sanctuary that offers security to faunal species also. Keoladeo, the name gets from an old Hindu temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and remains at the focal point of the national park. "Ghana" implies thick, alluding to the thick woods, which used to cover the region.

Settling indigenous water-feathered creatures and also transient water flying creatures and waterside winged creatures, this haven is likewise possessed by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, and Boar. While a large portion of India's park has been produced from the chasing predicament of royal India, Keoladeo, famously known as Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary, is maybe the main situation where the environment has been made by a maharaja. In prior times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded frequently every monsoon.

In 1760, an earthen dam (Ajan Dam) was developed, to spare the town, from this yearly idea of nature. The sorrow made by extraction of soil for the dam was cleared and this turned into the Bharatpur Lake. Though the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is open around the year, but still, the best time to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is from August to November to witness the resident birds and from October to February to get the sight of migratory birds.

History of Bharatpur Sanctuary
Bharatpur Sanctuary is one of the oldest wild reserves in India and was created 250 years ago when it was named after the Keoladeo (Shiva) temple within its boundaries. Earlier, the park was a traditional hunting spot for the Maharajas of Bharatpur in the year 1850. It was a tradition to shoot many ducks in the lake of the reserve in the honor of the British viceroys. In 1938, over 4273 birds including mallards and teals were killed by Lord Linlithgrow, the then Governor General of India. After independence, the royal beings were allowed to shoot here but in the year 1982, every such activity was completely banned and resultedin the clashes between the local farmers & Gujjar communities and the Government. It was considered as the world heritage site in December 1985.
The park is also referred as Ghana National Park since 'Ghana' means dense referring to the thick forest that covers the whole Bharatpur area.

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.