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| Keoladeo Ghana National Park |
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Location: Bharatpur in Rajasthan, India
Nearest Access: Bharatpur is the nearest Railhead
Wildlife Attractions: Resident and Migratory Birds
Best Time to Visit: All through the Year
Area Covered: About 29 Sq Kms
The quaint little town of Bharatpur in Rajasthan is known for providing a safe heaven to a thriving avian population in one of the most prominent bird sanctuaries in India, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Interspersed with marshy meadows and wooded scrublands, the park is named so after the ancient temple of Lord Shiva situated in the heart of the park. A wintering ground for a myriad species of resident and migratory birds from as far as Arctic, the place has been declared a world heritage site by the UNESCO. It is also the only known habitat in India for the nearly extinct Siberian Crane.
The bloody history of the place is clearly etched on a pillar near the Keoladeo temple, according to which the park was a former hunting reserve for the British and witnessed thousands of birds being massacred over the years until the bird population landed on the brink of extinction and a need was felt to convert the area into a bird sanctuary.......the result is an ornithologists dream come true, which at present houses over 400 species of avian beauties.
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About Keoladeo National Park
Keoladeo National Park is situated in the town of Bharatpur in the north Indian state of Rajasthan, about 55 kms from the Agra - the city of Taj. Keoladeo National Park is famous as one of Asia's finest birding areas, with over 380 resident and migrant species, including the Common, Demoiselle and the rare Siberian Cranes. Previously known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park is also an excellent place to watch mammals like Golden Jackal, Striped Hyaena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai, Sambar, Blackbuck and wild Boar.
In 1981, Keoladeo was given the status of national park. The park is spread over an area of 29-sq-kms of which 11-sq-kms are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.
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Attractions in Keoladeo Ghana National Park
The main attractions for tourists visiting the Keoladeo Ghana Park are the migratory birds, which come from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia to spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning back to their breeding grounds. Some of the migratory birds that visit Keoladeo /Bharatpur bird sanctuary include several species of Cranes, Hawks, Pelicans, Geese, Shanks, Ducks, Eagles, Warblers, Stints, Wagtails, Buntings, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Larks, Pipits etc. Besides the migratory and resident birds, other tourist attractions in Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary include the Bharatpur government Museum, Lohagarh Fort and Deeg Palace.
Bharatpur Govenment Museum
One of the major attraction after the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of Bharatpur, which provides a glimpse of the past royal splendour of Bharatpur.
Bharatpur Palace
Bharatpur Palace is an marvellous structural blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
Lohagarh Fort
The invincible Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered despite several attacks by the British regime.
Deeg Palace
Situated just 32-kms away from Bharatpur is the Deeg Palace. A strong and massive fortress, Deeg Palace was the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and houses numerous beautiful palaces and gardens.
Park Trips
Tourists Birdwatching at KeoladeoThere are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire. Boats are also available on hire. A early morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to check out the hidden treasures of Bharatpur.
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