|
The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan was the private hunting reserve of Maharajas of Bharatpur. Keoladeo is well-known as one of Asia’s best birding area, with over 380 inhabitant and immigrant species. It is also an outstanding place to observe mammals like Golden Jackal, Fishing Cat, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Blackbuck and wild Boar. During the cold winter seasons you can even see huge Indian Pythons sun-bathing on outer surface of the park. The sanctuary covers an area of 29 square kms, nearly half of which is marshy land and the remaining being scrubs and grasslands.
Places of interest are the Government Museum, Lohargarh Fort, Laxmi villas palace, Bharatpur forest lodge, Chandra Mahal havelis etc .Government Museums give a glance of past luxury. There is Lohargarh Fort to visit which remained unassailable despite numerous attacks by the British. This tough and huge fort was the seasonal home for the kings of Bharatpur and still has numerous palaces and gardens. The best time to visit would be November to February, which is when the Sanctuary is hosting to migratory birds the most famous visitor being the Siberian crane.
The Keoladeo National Park is not very large as it is only 29 sq km. There are well-defined treks which can easily cover on foot, on a cycle or you can hire a rickshaw (the best way) and cheaper too. They are available on around the park. Rickshaw pullers have been taught by the park organization in bird surveillance and are quite informed about their species. Boats are also offered on hire. Do not forget to carry a binocular for watching the birds while visiting the very beautiful Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. |
Enter a city
