Sightseeing
The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is home to an astonishing range of
flora and fauna. Birds come to this national park in waves. From August
through November, it is indigenous water birds. In early October the
first migrants arrive from the high plateaux of Central Asia, Mongolia
and Siberia, the most eagerly awaited of the lot being the gravely threatened
Siberian crane. The month of March sees most of these migrants leave
the national park. But animals that have made it their home-the nilgai
(blue bull), sambar, jungle cat and mongoose-spend the entire summer
here. A bike or rickshaw ride through the length and breath of this
sanctuary is an unforgettable experience. Most parts of the sanctuary
can be reached by using bicycles or rickshaws that can be hired from
the office of wildlife authorities situated at the main gate. Binoculars
and English-speaking trained guides can also be hired to increase your
chances of sighting a Siberian crane, the most famous of its migratory
guests
Excursions
While on a trip to Bharatpur, do take some time off to visit the nearby
places like Alwar, Deeg, Mahaban, Barsana, Dholpur, and Nandgaon which
are quite popular among tourists. The Bharatpur-Deeg-Dholpur circuit
covers many small and seemingly backward villages that have enjoyed
celebrity status once upon a time, playing host to royalty or bearing
witness to major battles. Mahwa is a halfway house between Bharatpur
and Jaipur at a distance of around 60 km on National Highway 11. Alwar
is regarded as the gateway to the colourful state of Rajasthan. Deeg
is a princely town which was once used as the summer resort by Maharaja
of Bharatpur. The small but famous pilgrimage centre, Govardhan,
lies along the narrow spur of hills east of Deeg. South-east of Bharatpur,
on the national highway between Agra and Gwalior, lies Dholpur,
capital of the former princely state of the same name. Mahaban, Nandgaon,
Barsana, and Baldeo are all villages related to childhood
stories of Lord Krishna.
|