Bharatpur National Park- The Pilgrimage for Bird Enthusiasts!

“I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven”.

By: Emily Dickinson

Flaunting their bright colours and attractive figures, the beautiful birds inhabiting Bharatpur National Park attract tourists from across the globe. So get ready with your cap, sport shoes and a binocular and venture into the Baratpur National Park, a World Heritage Site. Also known as Keoladeo National Park, it is truly a paradise for bird lovers. Established in 1890 by the Maharaja of Bharatpur, the Park is located in the princely state of Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The Park derived its name from the Shiva temple located in its boundary.

Bharatpur National Park is the abode of more than 300 bird species and a variety of other wildlife species. Its temporary residents (migratory birds) flock from destinations like Europe, Siberia,China and Tibet. At the National Park you can treat your eyes with sights of interesting birds such as cormorant, darter, purple and grey heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed, white necked and black necket stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron Siberian crane, the Siberian Greyleg Goose, the Chinese Bareheaded Goose and the list goes on.

Apart from the wonderful birds, the Park also houses wildlife such as pythons, Hyena, Sambhar, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Wild boar, Wildcat and Nilgai.

Other attractions inside the Park’s boundary:

Bharatpur Government Museum: This museum displays a variety of articles belonging to the erstwhile raja-maharajas of Bharatpur.

Lohagarh Fort: Built by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the fortified fort boasts of three beautiful palaces. Nobody could ever conquer this fort.

Bharatpur Palace: Reflecting perfect blend of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture, the palace is majestically decorated.