The walled town of BHARATPUR is just a stone's throw from the border with Uttar Pradesh, 150km east of Jaipur, and a mere 18km from Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's deserted capital. Though it may not hold any especially distinguished attractions, it's fun to explore by bike or on foot, with traditional markets, mosques, temples and a massive fort encircled by a wide and murky moat. However, the real reason to come here is to visit India's most famous bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park , just a short way south of the town. Even if you're not particularly interested in ornithology, this extraordinary site deserves at least a night or two.

According to history, the abode was named as Bharatpur after the name of Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama, whose other brother Laxman was worshipped as the family deity of the Bharatpur rulers, Laxman's name is engraved onthe state arms and the seals. The city and the fort have been believed to be founded by Rustam, a Jat of Sogariya clan. Maharaja Surajmal took over from Khemkaran, the son of Rustam and established the empire. He fortified the city by building a massive wall around the city.

Few places in the world, let alone ones so easily accessible, boast such a profusion of wildlife in so confined an area. During the winter months, hundreds of thousands of indigenous and migratory birds congregate on land flooded in the late nineteenth century by the local maharaja to create a giant hunting reserve. Cycling around the sanctuary's quiet, shady paths, you're almost certain to glimpse several species of large mammals such as black buck and deer, as well as lizards and pythons, and some of the most startlingly exotic birds you'll ever see - a perfect antidote to the fumes and frenzy of the nearby cities.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
3 Km. Also known as the Keoladeo Ghanga Sanctuary, it is famous for rare avian species. Stretching over a 29 sq. km. marshy area it is an ideal terrain for migratory birds. Some 353 species live and breed within the park, some of which are egrets, darters, cormorants, grey herons, sarus crane, siberian crane, rosy headed pelican etc.

There are also a number of spotted deer, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, python and porcupine. Jeepable roads that form a network through the marshland and boats that canbe painted through weeds make for easy viewing of the birds. All visitors are required to obtain a permit from the Warden or Ranger at the entrance of the parl.Bharatpur Fort-This magnificient 18th century fort built by Raja Suraj Mal was also known as Loha Gadh and proved to be impregnable.

Government Museum
The museum in the fort houses sculptures, inscriptions and exhibits of art and culture of the region. Bharatpur Palace - This royal monument is a brilliant blend of Mughal and a Rajput architecture. There is also a museum in the central wing with a few exhibits dating to the 2nd century A.D. EXCURSIONS

The tourist season is from October -Febru­ary but the best time for birdwatching are the dawns and dusks between December-February. Open from 6-00--18-00. It is easy to recognize the birds if you have a binacular. The sun setting in the waters of the lake is a picturesque sight. To enter the sanctuary you have to pay at the rate of: per Indian passenger Rs 5, non-Indian 25 rickshaw 5 tonga 15, car 75-100, minibus 75, bus 100. There are boating arrangements in the waters of the lake. For 1 hr's boating a 4-seater boat costs Rs 30. It is unadulterated pleasure to float on the water of the lake and watch the bird families on the babla trees.

Guides are avail­able at Rs 20 to identify the birds for you. Even if you don't hire a guide, you must take boat in the lake. If there are a sufficient num­ber of travellers, minibuses set out from the Tourist Bungalow early in the morning to tour the forests for Rs 20 per head. You can do the trip on your own by rickshaw. You will also have to pay a proportionate charge for your camera. Tongas, autos and rick­shaws ply in the city.

How to reach

• Air
  The nearest airport, Agra is 54 kms. However, convenient airports from Bombay are Jaipur (174 km) and Delhi (182 km) since there are no direct flights to Agra from B'bay.
• Rail
  Bharatpur is on Bombay-Delhi sector of Western Rly.
• Road
  Bharatpur is well connected by good motorable roads to Agra (54 km), Delhi (182 km), Fatehpur Sikri (20 km), Jaipur (174 km), Mathura (36 km) and Sariska (130 km).