The kingdom of Bharatpur was founded by Suraj Mai, the greatest ruler of the Jats, in the 18th century and till date it continues to fascinate the viewer with its splendid art and architecture. Though it has a mythological connection but Bharatpur has little to offer as a religious place. At present Bharatpur is also referred to as the "eastern gateway to Rajasthan" and is one of the most visited destinations in the country because of its famous forts and palaces and the renowned bird sanctuary.
Nature Tourism In Bharatpur District
Bharatpur district is most admired for its bird sanctuary at the Keoladeo Ghana national park. It is listed as a world heritage site by the UNESCO. It is the paradise of the bird lovers and has more than 375 species of beautiful birds like the purple and grey heron, white ibis, spoonbill and night herons among others. Rare species of Siberian cranes come every year to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Bharatpur district. The animals that includes black buck, spotted dear and nilgais also make their presence felt. The area may be very small but Keoladeo Ghana national park is undoubtedly a bird lover"s delight.
Leisure Tourism In Bharatpur District
Bharatpur district has a royal past and the forts and palaces are a storehouse of ancient exhibit that is almost six hundred years old. The architecture of Bharatpur district invites scholars and history lovers and even for simple tourist these forts and palaces are of immense delight. The Lohagarh fort also known as the iron fort is of great historical significance. It stood firmly in front of multiple British attacks.
The chief monuments of this fort are Mahal Khas, Moti Mahal and Kishori Mahal. The Palace of Bharatpur district is an amalgamation of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Deeg is a beautiful garden town that is situated in the north of Bharatpur district. The manicured gardens with radiant fountains and the meticulous palaces enhance the beauty of Deeg. The Deeg fort built by raja Suraj Mai, the great ruler of Bharatpur, is also an indispensable spectacle of Bharatpur district. Its nearness to the Taj city, Agra makes Bharatpur district all the more coveted to its tourists.
Visiting Information On Bharatpur District
How To Reach:
By Road: It is fifty-five km journey from Agra by road to Bharatpur district. It is also well connected with Delhi, Mathura and Jaipur from with the distance of 184, 39, 176 km respectively. Regular bus service is available for all the major cities.
By Air: Agra is the nearest airport to Bharatpur district at a distance of fifty five km. There are daily flights for Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow and Mumbai.
By Rail: Bharatpur district lies on the main Delhi- Bombay line with regular connection to Mathura, Kota and Sawai Madhopur on the same route. It is also well connected with Agra.
Bharatpur district offers some great luxurious hotels which are all set to meet the needs of the tourists. The hotels have splendid accommodation, provides authentic cuisines and great amenities. For those who want to stay close to nature can bank upon the Bharatpur Forest Lodge which lies within the vicinity of Keoladeo National park. Hotel Laxmi Vilas Palace and hotel Udai Vilas Palace are well known for their world class service and a scenic location for rest and recreation. The best time to visit Bharatpur is from October to February when the temperature is pleasant.
Bharatpur district is soaked in historical legends of valour and romance, art and architecture and wild life. Far from the commotion of the big cities, the park and the forts suggest a feeling of oneness with nature and culture for the tourists.
