Bharatpur

Sprawling over 5,066 sq kms, Bharatpur is located in the eastern part of Rajasthan and forms boundaries with Haryana in the north, Agra in the east, and Sawai Madhopur in the south with the Dausa and Alwar districts that together form the western boundaries of Rajasthan.

Bharatpur is popular with tourists for its bird sanctuary that is the cynosure of all eyes. Named the Keolado Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur bird sanctuary as it is popularly known is one of the finest superb waterfowl habitat and a haven for bird watchers. Stretching over no more than 29 square meters, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park is home to an astonishing range of flora and avifauna. Over a record 355 bird species have already been spotted. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the premises as you see the multi colored winged creatures twittering away with delight. The Bird Sanctuary has even been granted a special World heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

The Bharatpur Bird sanctuary was created by the Maharaja of Bharatpur in1890. The region itself was created in 1733 AD when it was carved out of Mewar. According to history, Bharatpur was dominated by Jats from 17^th century onwards and it was Jat ruler Suraj Mahal under whose aegis numerous palaces and forts sprung up in Bharatpur including the magnificent Deeg Palace.

Besides the bird sanctuary, Bharatpur also has a number of other tourist attractions, notably the Deeg Palace, Bharatpur Palace and the Government Museum. The 18^th century Deeg Palace, built on a massive scale, is famous for its many beautiful gardens and exquisite architectural style and was the erstwhile summer resort of the royals. The Bharatpur Palace located in the midst of the verdant environs of the bird sanctuary is a fine fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture and is replete with magnificent apartments that are richly decorated with patterned floor. It also has a museum that showcases collection dating back to 2nd century.

Life in Bharatpur is slow and tranquil. Feel the glorious sunshine, smell the roses and spend you day gazing up in the sky as you tour Bharatpur with A Journey to India. You can also shop for Rajasthani handicrafts and the local shops and markets of Rajasthan.

Reaching Bharatpur is very easy. As Bharatpur lies on the Delhi-Mumbai line; it is well connected by rail to some of the most important cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. There are also numerous buses that ply on the highways connecting Bharatpur to the neighboring regions. The nearest airport to Bharatpur is at Agra.

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