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INDIA
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History |
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Sightseeing |
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MAP |
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Holiday |
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Tour |
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Bharatpur History
Bharatpur was the premier Jat State in Rajasthan.
Badan Singh established and founded the fort and
palaces of Deeg in 1725. Seven years later, his son
laid the foundation nearby of the fort of Bharatpur.
It was a formidable structure called Logagarh (iron
fort), which lived up to its reputation.
How to reach Bharatpur
By Air
Agra 56 km is the nearest airport. Daily flight form
Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi and Lucknow are available to
Agra.
By Bus
A network of bus services links Bharatpur with several
cities within and outside the State.
By Train
Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with several
cities on Delhi-Mumbai trunk route, Jaipur and Agra.
Some important train connections are : Golden Temple
Mail (Mumbai-Bharatpur-Jammu-Tawi); Intercity express
(Hazrat Nizamuddin-Bharatpur); Paschim Express (New
Delhi-Bharatpur-Mumbai).
Getting around
Bharatpur has auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and
tongas. A fantastic way of zipping around is by
bicycle, which costs Rs 20 to Rs 50 per day (the more
expensive ones are in better condition).
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LOGAHAGH FORT |
Lohagarh, built by Maharaja Suraj Mahal, is located in
the heart of the old city. Its entrance is from a
crowded street that leads through the massive entrance
gate called the Astdhatu Gate. Asthdhatu means 'eight
metals', a reference to the spikes on the gate which are
reputedly made of eight different metals.Lohagarh is a
living fort with several modern additions. However, a
part of the fort has been preserved consists of a
sprawling palace complex since it combines Rajput and
Mughal architecture with Jat Influences in building
style, a few of the eight original towers of which
Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj are of particular interest,
and floors laid with tiles.
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BHARATPUR MUSEUM |
The government Museum is housed in the former durbar
hall, the maharaja's meeting hall, in the fort. The most
interesting thing to see here is the hamam(bathhouse),
which retains some fine carvings and frescoes.
It exhibits sculptures found during the excavation of
old villages e.g. Noh, Mallah, Bareh, Bayana etc.
ranging from the Kushan period (Ist century A.D.) to
19th century A.D. Weapons used in battles in the
medieval period the Jat rulers, paintings, manuscripts,
zoological specimens, local art and craft that was once
Bharatpur.
The Art Gallery of the museum has specimens of miniature
paintings on leaves of the Peepal tree, mica and old
litho papers along with the paintings of the Maharajas
of Bharatpur.
On the upper story one section consists of various types
of guns & miniature canons used during 18th century A.D.
Called ‘Chandra’. These miniature canons - two sets of
eleven each, were used by Maharaja Sawai Jawahar Singh
in the battle while passing through the Jaipur territory
on his return from a pilgrimage to Pushkar.
Only the exterior of the buildings may be photographed.
Tourist Information
Time 10:00 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.(Saturday - Thursday)
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BHARATPUR PALACE |
The splendid Bharatpur Palace has a rich repository of a
large number of ancient exhibit that date back to the
early 15th century. There is also a museum in the
central wing with a few exhibits dating to the 2nd
century A.D.
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KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK |
Amongst India’s premier wildlife sanctuaries is the
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, situated at the
border between the states of Rajasthan and Uttar
Pradesh. It’s a marshy area, stretching over 29 sq km of
kadam forests, grasslands and shallow lakes. Created by
the Maharaja of Bharatpur in the 19th century by
diverting water from an irrigation canal, Keoladeo was
founded as a shooting preserve, but given the status of
a bird sanctuary in 1956. Upgraded to a national park in
1982, the area today ranks as one of the best waterbirds
preserves in the world- and it’s a World Heritage Site.
Keoladeo Ghana, Bharatpur harbours some of India’s
richest Birdlife, including the gorgeous shocking-pink
tinted painted stork, several species of cormorants,
egrets, pelicans, ibises, cranes, ducks and geese. One
can see over 350 species of birds, both native as well
as migratory. Among the latter, the highly endangered
Siberian Cranes, which come to nest in winter, are the
rarest. Bharatpur is the Siberian Crane’s only known
wintering ground in India; at last count, only 2 cranes
nested at the park, definitely a cause for worry. In
addition to the birds, Keoladeo is home to a wide range
of mammal and reptile species, including deer, jackals,
black buck, fishing cats, otters and blue bulls.
Entry Requirements
All visitors to Keoladeo Ghana, Bharatpur need to obtain
an entry permit from the Warden or Ranger at the
entrance to the park. Foreigners need to pay an entry
fee of Rs 200; Indians pay Rs 25. Extra charges are
levied for cameras and photographic equipment.
How to get there
Keoladeo Ghana is situated just two km from the town of
Bharatpur, which is connected by train and road to Delhi
(176 km away) and Agra (50 km away). There are regular
buses plying to Bharatpur from Delhi, Agra, and other
cities, and taxis can also be hired to do the trip.
Within the park, walking or cycling is easily the best
way of seeing Keoladeo’s fabulous range of avian life.
Taxis or private vehicles, however, are allowed into the
park and can be used. The forest department also
operates mini buses and boats within the park. If you
decide to pedal through the sanctuary, cycles can be
hired at the entrance to Keoladeo; a map of the park’s
walking trails can be obtained from the reception
counter at the entrance.
Best time to visit
Keoladeo Ghana Bharatpur is open throughout the year for
visitors, although winter is definitely the best time to
visit. Summers are too hot and monsoons too wet for
comfort, but the months between October and February are
very suitable for a trip. Besides the fact that the
weather’s good at this time, the park’s migratory birds
arrive during the winter.
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