Bharatpur Travel Guide
Bharatpur was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733 A.D. He was well known as a patron of architecture. Bharatpur is a famous tourist attraction as it is home to Keoladeo National Park, wetland and bird sanctuary. Apart from diverse wildlife, the place has rich historical values.
Bharatpur is situated at a distance of 25 km from Agra and 33 km from Fatehpur Sikri. It falls within the Golden Triangle along with Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. It shares its border with the commercial city of Gurgaon on one side and the religious city of Mathura on the other.
Bharatpur derives its name from Bharat, brother of Lord Rama during Tretayug. The region is actually built around the beautiful lake of Bharatpur. In the 17th century, it was a Jat province. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park lies 2 km to the south of the town. It is a remarkable place where many colorful migratory birds can be spotted. For its spectacular biodiversity, it has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. The bird sanctuary is a must watch for bird lovers.
How to Reach Bharatpur
- Air – Agra is the nearest airport at a distance of 25 km. This is a small airport connecting Bharatpur to Delhi and Mumbai.
- Rail – It is connected to major cities as it is situated on the Delhi-Bombay Line.
- Road – By road, Bharatpur is connected to Agra, Jaipur and nearby cities. Regular buses connect these places.
Distance of Bharatpur from Below Places:
| Place | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Agra |
60 |
|
Jaipur |
186 |
|
Delhi |
222 |
|
Mathura |
39 |
Weather
Bharatpur Temperature
- Summer (Mar to Jun) – Temperatures are high and range between (16°C) to (34°C).
- Monsoon – (Jul to Sep) – Temperatures are moderate. Monsoon is not a recommended time to visit Bharatpur.
- Winter – (Oct to Feb) – Temperatures are low and range between (5°C) to (25°C)
- Best Time to Visit – Oct to Feb is the best season for tourism
What to See In Bharatpur
This UNESCO declared bird sanctuary has 400 species of colourful birds which include exotic and migratory varieties like the Afghan species and the Siberian cranes that come from Arctic. It is a very attractive tourist spot and attracts tourists in great numbers from India and abroad.
Built by Raja Suraj Mal in 18th century, this fort is an illustrious edifice which has known to have miraculously faced violent and repeated attacks of British invaders. It is nown to speak volumes of the triumphant attitude of Rajput rulers. It has an archaeological museum inside. The interior of the Lohagarh fort has 3 palaces: Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and Kothi Khas.
This palace was built by one of the eminent kings of Bharatpur. It was also the birthplace of Maharaj Kishan Singh. Presently a major part of the palace has been converted to a museum. Tourists can explore through the historical pages of Bharatpur by visiting this museum.
It is another known attraction of Bharatpur. Deeg palace, built by Badan Singh is a strong fortress and was used by Bharatpur rulers as a relaxation point during summer season. Deeg Palace is a spectacular building, famous for its water palaces, gardens and fountains.
Golbagh Palace
It is a century old palace that had served as the home of the rulers of Bharatpur. Presently the rooms have been transformed to guest rooms. Tourists can experience the historical glory of the past here.
Other Details
What to Do
Bharatpur is a beautiful tourist destination and people can engage themselves in miscellaneous activities at Bharatpur.
- Tourists can have happy time with their families watching rare and colourful birds like Siberian cranes, beautiful varieties like Kingfisher and common Demoiselle.The most favourable time for watching migratory birds is during October to February.
- Many rich wildlife varieties can be spotted like the deer, neelgai, sambhars and jackals. The national offers a big opportunity to tourists to click pictures of the wild and elegant beasts.
- Great place for exploration and learning for the students and patrons of architecture, art and culture.
- A jungle safari will help to watch exciting sights.
- Tourists must not forget the boat ride inthe Bharatpur Lake.
Where to Eat
The most popular cuisines of Bharatpur are traditional meals like aloo ki sabzi, kachauri and sweet dishes like rabri. Pure ghee is an essential ingredient of Rajasthani dishes. Milk and butter are quite popular and used to prepare many delicacies.
- Swaraj Resorts: It is located just outside the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. The restaurant of Swaraj Resorts serves delicious American, Chinese and Continental dishes to the tourists.
- Gulmohar Restaurant, Bagh Resort: It is a multicuisine restaurant with a royal touch. Tourists are provided with options of Indian, Chinese and continental varieties of dishes.
- Hotel Sunbird: Situated on the way to sanctuary, this restaurant serves spicy Indian dishes. It is known for its special dishes like Parathas.
- Hotel Uday Vilas Palace: Built in memory of King Uday Singh, it is known for serving varieties of tasty Indian Chinese and Continental dishes.
What to Buy
You can buy some souvenir like antiquities, jewellery, marble carvings, brass works, bangles and garments.
Get Around
- Cabs/cars: Cab services are available at all major cities nearby to reach Bharatpur through well defined roadways. However the driver cannot go beyond Shanti Kutir as entry is restricted from that point.
- Bicycle: These are available on rental basis, inside the Shanti Kutir which is within 1.7 km of the Keoladeo National Park.
- Cycle rickshaw: These are also available inside Shanti Kutir to help tourists near the national park. It is advisable for family or group of tourists. Since the cycle rickshaw puller guides the tourists during the travel, charges are on per hour basis.
- Electric van: It is also available inside the Shanti Kutir. Prices are very high as compared to other means of travel. Vans could be suitable for large families or groups. However vans do not stop frequently and so people get less chances of wildlife viewing.
- Boats: These are available inside Shanti Kutir at fixed fares, during monsoons.
Popular Tour Plans - Rajasthan
1-3 Days
1. Jaipur (2N/3D)
4-6 Days
1. Delhi-Agra-Jaipur (6N/7D)
7-10 Days
1. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Bikaner-Jaipur (9N/10D)
2. Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur (8N/9D)
3. Delhi-Agra-Ranthambhore-Jaipur (9N/10D)
> 10 Days
1. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Mount Abu-Udaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur (12N/13D)
2. Delhi-Corbett National Park-Agra-Bharatpur-Ranthambhore-Jaipur (12N/13D)