| It is a fine blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture, built in various phases by different Maharajas. The magnificent apartments are richly decorated with patterned floor tiles with exquisite intricate designs. The museum occupies the main central wing depicting collections dating back to 2nd century, which reflect the art and skill of the region. |
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KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
A paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers, it was known as the best duck shooting resort in the British empire. But was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to 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, 29 sq. km. only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of beautiful birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and nearly every year new ones are added to the list. The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe, Siberia, China and Tibet.
Before mansoon hundreds of these exotic birds roost and nest building activities start on the babool and kadam trees of the park. Water coming 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 cormorant, darter, purple and Grey heron, various species of egret, painted, open-billed, white necked and black necked stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and other birds get busy in courting and mating. The trees are over flowed with nests, one can observe a tree housing nests upto fifties and sixties in number belonging to different species of birds looking after their loving young ones. The nests on the trees look like pearl necklaces.
Gracious Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds nest in exposed and open area, both partners share the duty of hatching, while chanting incubating duties, they come together, raise their neckand give out shrill trumpetic calls in unison and at the same time fan their feathers. The newly born chicks are only 10 cm. in size but grows upto one meter in height within a year.
As the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country start pouring into the park. Migratory water-fowls, including the pride of Keoladeo Siberian Cranes form the indispensable part of Park. The water-fowls visit the park in millions during the month of October. The most noticeable water-fowl coming to the park are barheaded and greyleg geese. The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon, shoveler,common shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. predatory birds like 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 short-toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and shikra are the residents of Park.
About 11 sq. km. area of the park is covered with water the remaining portion is rich with Kingfisher, Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails, Partridges, Sunbirds, Sparrows and Parakeets which live in bushes and burrows. The year round activity of the winged beauties has made the park a pilgrimage for bird lovers and an omithologists delight.
The animal populace also show their presence although they are thoroughly dominated by feathers, wings and beaks. The animals include the Black Buck, Sambhar - the largest Indian Antelope, Spotted deer, and Nigais. Pythons can also be observed at some places lazing in the sun.
Vehicles are only permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van of forest department can be engaged in the sanctuary, although the best way to explore the park is on foot or bicycles which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws can also be hired.
For More Information click here KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
LOHAGARH FORT OR THE 'IRON FORT'
The Lohagarh Fort, true to its name stood solidly in front of many British attacks, and frustrated them to ends. It faced the British onslaught four times and after a long siege they had to withdraw, but Lord Lake, however was successful in capturing it in 1804. It is very different from the other forts in state, there is no flamboyance associated to fort but it generates an aura of strength and magnificence. The fort is surrounded with moat which was previously filled with water to ward off the enemy attacks. The sandy ramparts were strengthened by sandy battlements, thus the enemy guns proved of no avail. |
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Some interesting monuments in the fort are Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and Kothi Khas. Moti Mahal and towers like Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj were erected to commemorate the victory over the Mughals and the British army . The Gateway has paintings of huge elephants.
| The building Kamra Khas within the fort has
been converted into a museum, displaying a rich collection of antiquaries, exquisite
sculptures and some ancient inscriptions. The sculptures speak volumes about the art of a
by gone era and culture typical of this area. The inscriptions are of immense historical
vault and helps in tracing back the royal lineage as well as the local life. Timings : 10 AM to 4 PM |
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Entry Fee : RS. 3/-
(Closed on Friday)
| North of Bharatpur is this beautiful garden town, the gardens have been laid with great care and precision, the sparkling fountains and meticulous palaces add to he beauty of this idyllic retreat of the princes of Bharatpur. The tourist enjoy the charming settings of this agricultural town,along with the well preserved palace pavilions and gardens. |  |
Some very interesting buildings can be observed like:
GOPAL BHAVAN
Completed in 1760, an imaginatively designed building complex with beautifully laid gardens at its entrance and the rear overlooks the Gopal Sagar which is flanked with smaller pavilions Sawan and Bhadon.
The formal gardens face a raised terrace with an arch of lustrous marble installed on a pedestal in the form of swing. This exquisite swing is a war trophy brought in by the famous Jat king Raja Suraj Mal from the Mughal court in Delhi.
The spacious and well proportioned Banquet Hall has a double row of graceful pillars. The rear of the chamber is further divided by a charming sunken pool with fountains. The Banquet hall houses a rich collection of curios, souvenirs and Victorian furniture. Staircases wind upstairs to the upper floors. One room contains a solid black marble bed from Delhi.
BENGAL CHAMBER
It houses the dining room, and has sloping arches, with comfortable cushions along the outer edges forming the seating area. The walls of the royal Chess Room has trellis design and are painted in soft red.
SURAJ BHAVAN
To the east of the main building, this palace has balconies overhanging the water. The entire palace in marble is like an airy pavilion with fine ornamentation within the apartments.
NAND BHAVAN
It is a larage audience hall. KRISHNA BHAVAN, and the ingeniously designed water works of KESHAV BHAVAN, with open twelve pillared pavilion are of great interest.
PURANA MAHAL
It is the oldest palace, planned as a spacious rectangle encircled by compartments and chamber, it has a collection of some very fine Rajput and Mughal schools.
DEEG FORT
The fort stands majestically over a slightly elevated point, built by Raga Suraj Mal. The fort is surrounded by impressive moats, armpits and gateways, the interiors are mostly in ruins now, but the watch tower still stands in the ruins keeping an eye over the City and Palace; over it is placed a gun captured from Agra fort. Another defunct cannon which was captured from Ahmad Shah Abdali(1761), who seized the fort for six months, guards a vantage c
ACCOMMODATION
ITDC Bharatpur Forest Lodge Phone 22722
RTDC Hotel Saras Phone 23700
PWD Dak Bungalow Phone 23766
Circuit House Phone 23766
Railway Retiring Room
Heritage hotels , moderate hotels and paying guest accommodation is also available
RESTAURANT
RTDC Hotel Saras phone 23700
Bharatpur Forest Lodge (ITDC) phone 22722
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Auto rickshaw, Cycle-rickshaw and Tongas are available at Old Bus Stand and Railway Station.
Rates are negotiable
GUIDE SERVICES
Approved tourist guides for the National Park can be hired from
The Asstt. Director,
Tourist Reception Center
Hotel Saras (RTDC), Tel 22542
&
Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden,
Forest Rest House. Tel 22777
Guides are also available at the Bird Sanctuary gate.
CONDUCTED TOURS
Mini bus is operated by Forest Rest House, Please contact :
Dy. Chief Wildlife Warden
Forest Rest House Tel 22777
POST AND TELEGRAPH OFFICES
G. P. O. Gandhi Park
City Post Office near Jama Masjid
Collectrate Post Office, in collectrate campus.
IMPORTANT TELEHPHONE NUMBERS
Superintendent of Police 23116
D. I. G. 22859
Kotwali 22548
Police Station, Mathura Gate 22444
Ambulance 23633
Telephone Enquiry No. 197
Railway Enquiry 23535/ 131
Roadways Enquiry 23434
MEDICAL SERVICES
General Hospital
Zanana Hospital, Mathura Gate
TOURIST INFORMATION BUREAU
Tourist Information Center
RTDC Hotel Saras, Agra Road. Tel : 22542
