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 5136/1, Main Bazar, Pahar Ganj
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This city of Rajasthan is famous for its bird sanctuary which is also called as Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
 
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Rajasthan Tours Travel » Wildlife in Rajasthan » Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpurw
There is something so magical about being in a wild wooded forest, in the heart of animal terrain, a territory where the rules are different, where life is dictated by the sun streaming through the trees, by changing seasons and and the moody mavericks of nature. A place where we are just passers-by and the real inhabitants are all powerful and independent in their own surroundings. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is one such wildlife haven, primarily famous for being a nesting paradise, it is a huge draw for creatures of the avian variety. An ecological gem it has the distinction of being a world heritage site since 1985. Its 28.7 square kilometers of marshy wetland, woodland, grass and scrub is perfect for viewing birds unlike a dense forest where the birds and their nests get concealed by thick foliage.
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Monsoon is a time when birds crowd around this area. During the rains the
mist and the fog lend this marsh a mystique all its own. As you walk down
the path tracing the directions from which you hear melodious bird calls
the wind pelts you gently with acorns and leaves, twigs and sticks snap
under your feet and you realize that its a world that sways to another
rhythm. The monsoon is an invitation for some of the most spectacular
birds to deck themselves out in their finest plumage, get together to
court their mates and nest in huge colonies in trees lining the path of
the sanctuary. Each bird species has fascinatingly distinct
characteristics, sure to astound and amuse you. The Open-billed stork for
example does not allow another bird to trespass on its prime few square
feet of tree top, whereas some of the small acacia trees are tightly
packed together with nests of several species. The most spectacular nests
however are those of the egrets, storks, herons and cormorants who
together build about 10, 000 nests each season.
The sanctuary is a wonderfully relaxing place and its tree lined paths
and refreshing lakes are a cool respite from the arid landscape of the
rest of Rajasthan. Some of the common sights you can expect to see are
groups of ducks swimming gracefully in the cold murky water and a
profusion of colour, white-breasted water hens, grey & purple herons,
green & red shanks, black- headed ibis, multicoloured kingfishers and
painted storks. Iridescent butterflies hover on noiseless wings, the
black-headed ibis raises its wings and darts off in a flash of crimson,
snakebirds in shimmering colours gulp fish down with their long elastic
throats. Though monsoon has a lovable madness about it, the winters in the
sanctuary are no less popular, the winter months see many exotic birds
migrate to the park, the VIP's of this migratory list however are the
Siberian cranes. And they truly are magnificent creatures, with bills and
faces coloured a deep blood red , a plumage of pristine white and wingtips
so black they could have been borrowed from the dark of night. Other than
these famous Siberian visitors birds from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and
even China have found their haven here. More than 364 species of birds
have been recorded in this park. An average day will enable you to spot
many of the solitary lapwing, Indian courser, spotted eagles, darters,
openbill storks, sarus and demoiselle cranes, dalmatian pelicans, black
bittern, painted snipe, grey nightjars, dusky eagle owls, marshall's iora,
siberian rubythroat and brook's leaf warblers. The lakes here are
chock-full with over 20 species of ducks, innumerable waders and raptors,
water-seeking birds and approachable passerines.
Dont be surprised if you see a nilgai grazing nonchalantly or a sambar
camouflaged in the ferns, or even a python sunning itself on a rock for
the sanctuary also houses a wide variety of mammals in its natural
habitat. During nightfall the eerie wailing of jackals adds to the deeply
resonant jungles sounds. The lakes are populated with turtles and
watersnakes who swim with their head held above the water. Monitor lizards
scuttle around and the deer, cheetal, black buck, fishing cats, otters and
blue bull are common enough to spot. A shallow freshwater lake takes up
about one third of the park's area and the vegetation supported by it
includes the babul tree, the kadam, date palms, khejri and a variety of
grasses and reeds.
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The park was earlier called 'ghana' meaning forest and later renamed
'keoladeo' after the small but immensely famous Shiva temple at the heart
of the sanctuary. The rocks outside the temple are the favourite sunning
spots of the gorgeous black pythons that reside here. Also near the temple
is a charming little canteen that serves a sweet and fragrant cup of
steaming hot chai, a well deserved treat after all the walking and
watching.
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Getting There
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The Keoladeo Ghana National park is open from 6 AM to 6 PM and there
is an entry fee, Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 200 for foreign nationals. A
guide charges Rs 75 per hour. For carrying video cameras you will have
to pay Rs 200 extra. Other than walking you also have the options of
bicycling around the park, a bicycle on hire costs only Rs 30 per day
and even more tempting option is the cycle rickshaw for Rs 50-75 per
hour it is value for money since the rickshaw drivers are trained at
recognising birds and are friendly folk who usually strike up
interesting conversations, they will ensure you have a good time. 
