Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Area : 232sq.km/2,873 hectares

Established : 1956 as a bird sanctuary, 1981 as a national park

About Keoladeo National Park

The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies between two of India's most historic cities- Agra and Jaipur. This north Indian sanctuary is situated in the country's northwestern state of Rajasthan, about 190 km from the national capital of Delhi.
The name Keoladeo is derived from the name of an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva in the sanctuary's central zone while the Hindi term 'Ghana' implies dense, thick areas of forest cover.

History

Prince Bhamji of Morvi state in Gujarat converted this area into a world famous wildlife reserve. Duck shoots were organised in the area every year by the rulers of Bharatpur, in honour of Viceroy Lord Curzon and his party on 1st December, 1902. The exploits of all visiting dignitaries since 1902 have been engraved on stone plaques standing near the Keoladeo temple.

Largest number of birds (4273) were killed on 12th November, 1938, by Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy & Governor General of India and his party. After independence, this reserve was notified as a bird sanctuary but the former rulers of Bharatpur continued to enjoy their shooting rights over the area till 1972. The area was notified as a National Park in 1981 but made effective only in Novemeber,1982.
Conservation efforts originally started by Dr. Salim Ali received a further impetus when the area was deemed a national park in March 1982. In 1985, Bharatpur was accepted as a World Heritage Site.

Hotels & Resorts in Keoladeo National Park

Icons Summary Restaurant Internet Service Tea/Coffe Machine Business Centre Swimming pool Travel Desk Doctor on Call Baby Sitting Health club Bar Safe Deposit Amphitheatre Library Std/Isd Money Exchange

Bharatpur Forest Lodge
	The government run Bharatpur Forest Lodge is located within the vicinity of Keoladeo National Park that lies 190-kms from Delhi and 55-kms from Agra in Rajasthan.

Laxmi Vilas Palace
	Laxmi Vilas Palace is located at a distance of 190-kms from Delhi and 55-kms from Agra in Rajasthan and is quiet close to the Bharatpur circuit house and bird sanctuary. The hotel has partially air-conditioned facility too.

Chandra Mahal Haveli
	The mansion was built by rich Muslim nobles in the 1850's and its proximity to the mughal durbar is apparent in the architecture which reminds one of Fatehpur Sikri.

The Bagh Resort
	The Bagh is a heritage hotel set in 12 acres two hundred year-old garden in Bharatpur Rajasthan, it is located just four hours away from major destinations such as Delhi, Jaipur and Gwalior.

Udai Vilas Palace
	Hotel Udai Vilas Palace is nestled amongst 2 spacious acres, just a km away from The Keoladeo Ghana National Park, an interlocking ecosystem of woodlands, swamps, & dry savannah, home to over 370 varieties of birds.

Hotel Pratap Palace
	Hotel Pratap Palace is ideally located at 2 minutes walking distance from entrance to the Keoladeo National Park. A beautiful Pink Sand stone building beside the NH-11 built in 1994 now a leading hotel in very short time.

Birders Inn Jungle Lodge
	Located a mere stone's throw from the entrance of the park, Birder's Inn is a quiet, peaceful haven for the keen birdwatcher.

Wildlife in Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur bird sanctuary hosts a variety of bird species(Siberian crane etc) from across the globe. Close to 380 species of birds are found in this 29 sq km stretch, approximately 10 sq km of which comprises of marshes and bogs. Rest of the area comprises of scrublands, grasslands and more than 44,000 trees that are used for nesting by birds each year. This rather intriguing blend of marshes, woodland and flora found here represents and, at the same time, substantiates the density and diversity of the region's forest cover.

Keoladeo National Park Travel Information

General Information

Location : Bhartpur, Rajasthan

Total Area : 232sq.km/2,873 hectares

Established : 1956 as a bird sanctuary, 1981 as a national park

Time to Visit : Park is open throughout the year. Best months are August-November for resident breeding birds and November-March for migrant birds.

How to Reach Keoladeo National Park

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.