Location

	Bharatpur Hotels
	» Laxmi Vilas Palace » Bharatpur Forest Lodge » Chandra Mahal Haveli

Located in eastern Rajasthan, about 176 kms away from Delhi, and 50 km west of Agra, is the Keoladeo Ghana or Bharatpur National Park, one of the most spectacular bird sanctuaries in India, nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and water side birds. It is also inhabited by sambar, chital, nilgai and boar. More than 300 species of birds are found in this small park of 29 sq. km. of which 11 sq. km. are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland.

Avian's Paradise
Bharatpur is largely known for the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary but the city also hosts a beautiful fort. Many travellers who visit Bharatpur rate it as a highlight who visits India. In the 17 th and 18 th centuries, the town was an important Jat strong hold. The sanctuary is 5 km to the south of the city centre. The Lohargarh or 'Iron Fort', is worth a visit. An earthern dam called the Ajan Dam was constructed in 1760, to protect Bharatpur from the constant floods during monsoon and the arid lands after monsoon. The Keoladeo lake was born out of the depression created by extraction of soil for the dam covered with shallow lakes and stunted forest growth and grasslands.

Tourist Attractions

» Lohagarh Fort : The massive iron structure built in the early 18th century. With its impregnable defences it sustained itself even after a number of British attacks. The fort was conceived and designed by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the founder of Bharatpur.

» Government Museum : 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.

» Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj : A few of the eight imposing towers still stand erect within the glorious ramparts of the Fort. Especially two of them - Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj are of special interest.

» 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.

How to reach

Bharatpur is on the Agra-Jaipur highway, just a two-hour journey by bus from Agra (55 km) and an hour from Fatehpur Sikri. The nearest rail junction is Bharatpur, which is well connected to Delhi, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and many other parts of India. Private as well as state transport buses link Bharatpur with other parts of Rajasthan.

Accommodation in Bharatpur