General Information :
Area : 22 sq. kms.
Clothing: Summer : Light Tropicals Winter : Light Woolens
Season: Winter : Oct. - March Summer : April - June
Language: Rajasthani, Hindi & English

This bird paradise acquired its name - Keoladeo because of the existence of the Keoladeo temple of Lord Shiva. After the name of this temple the lake is called 'Ghana' Keoladeo. Ghana being the vernacular synonym for dense forest. It was known as the best duck shooting resort during the British reign, but was declared reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to a National Park. UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location is ideal, as it is on the main north-south avian route of India. Although small in size (only 29 sq. kms), it has over 375 species of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of this breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Almost every year, new species are adds to the list. The Bird Sanctuary not only attracts birds from all over India, but also from far off Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet.

Before the monsoons, hundreds of these exotic birds roost and nest here, and building activities start on the 'babool' and 'kadam' trees of the park. Water, flowing through the Ajan Bandh starts filling the various ponds and lakes of the Park. When assured of enough food, hundreds of large, medium and little cormorants, darters, purple and grey herons, various species of egret, whitenecked as well as black-necked storks, white ibils, spoonbills, night herons and other birds get busy courting and mating. The trees are overloaded with nests - a single tree houses approximately fifty to sixty nests - belonging to different species of birds looking after their young ones.

Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds, nest in exposed and open aras; both partners share the duty of hatching; while changing incubating duties, they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpeting calls in unison, fanning their feathers at the same time. The newborn chicks are only 10 cm. In size but grow up to one meter in height within a year. As the monsoon arrives, birds from every part of the country start flying into the Park. Migratory waterfowls, including the pride of Keoladeo - the Siberian Cranes, form an interesting species found in the Park. These waterfowls visit the Park in hordes during the month of October. The rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory birds. The most noticeable waterfowls coming to the Park are the bar-headed and greylag geese. The ducks spotted herea are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon, shoveler, common shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. Predatory birds like the imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eagle, spotted eagle, marsh harrier and laggar falcon are attracted towards the Park, completing the avian food chain of the ecosystem. Some of them, like the shorted eagle, lesser spotted eagle and shikra, are the residents of the Park. About 11 sq. kms of the Park is covered by water; the remaining portion is rich in birds like the kingfisher, red vented and white-cheeked bulbuls, babblers, quails, partridges, sunbirds, sparrows, parakeets and orioles, which live in bushes and burrows. These winged beauties carry on their activities all the year round, thus making this Park a pilgrimage for bird lovers and an ornithologist's delight.

Animals like the black buck, sambar-the largest Indian antelope, spotted deer, and nilgais also show their presence here, though they are greatly outnumbered by the winged fraternity. Pythons can also be observed, at some places, lazing in the sun.

Vehicles are only permitted up to Shanti Kutir inside the Prak. The Electra Van of the forest Department in the Sanctuary can be engaged, although the best way to explore the Park is on foot, bicycle or cycle rickshaws which are available on hire.

All the fairs and festivals of Rajasthan are celebrated with traditional rituals, but Bharatpur's proximity to Uttar Pradesh shows a great influence of UP's culture also.

Braj Mahotsav (2-4 Feb. Every Year) Bharatpur lies close to Braj Bhoomi - the birthplace of Lord Krishna and where he spent his childhood. Professional selected by the Rai community for this occasion performs the Ras Leela, depicting the life of Krishna.

Gangaur Festival (Mar.-Apr.) This festival is for the maidens and married women and dedicated to Gauri - the incarnation of Goddess Parvati. A procession is taked out and married women pray for the prosperity and long life of their husbands, while young girls seek blessings for a good life partner. Read More

Teej (July-Aug.) It is a festival of swings, marking the advent of the monsoon. Swings are hung from the trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls sing songs of love and the rain. Read More

Air: Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur lay on the Airlines route that links Delhi and Mumbai. Nearest Airport-Agra (54 kms.) from Bharatpur. Agra has thrice a week flights from Delhi, Varanasi (via Khajuraho).

Rail: Most of Rajasthan is accessible by a network of rail services. The Shatabdi Express is an excellent connection to Agra from Delhi. The trains offer vestibule, chair-seating rail service. Bharatpur is on the main Delhi-Mumbai line with regular connections to Mathura, Sawai Madhopur and Kota on the same route. It is also connected with Agra.

Road: The State Roadways coaches link most tourist places and business centers in and around the state. Chauffeur-driven air-conditioned cars can be hired through the State Tourist Offices and other approved operators.
Bharatpur is well connected by road with Agra, Mathura, Deeg, Alwar, Delhi and Jaipur. Regular bus services operate for all major cities.

Agra	55 kms
Delhi	184 kms
Fatehpur	22 kms
Mathura	39 kms
Jaipur	176 kms
Sariska	160 kms