Bharatpur in Rajasthan is home to Keoladeo National Park, which is popular all across India. Formerly called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, this park is home to over 230 species of resident birds, which makes this national park a bird watcher’s paradise. Though it is popular for hordes of birds that can be found year-round, you will also find many animals and insects roaming in the wild. Safari is one of the best things to do in Keoladeo National Park, but so many others will be engaging on your wildlife tour.
Keoladeo National Park has a 29-square-kilometer reserve called Ghana and is a mosaic of woodlands, swamps, wetlands, and dry grasslands. The park’s diverse habitat houses 50 species of fish, 366 species of birds, 379 species of flora, 5 species of lizards, and so on. Witnessing them on a jeep, elephant, or walking tour is the best thing to do in Keoladeo National Park.
Also, explore ancient temples near the park, like Ganga Mandir and Laxman Temple. Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur Palace and Museum, Jawahar Burj, and Fateh Burj are also exciting outdoor activities in Keoladeo. Migratory birds have arrived by then, chirping inside the park. Read about the top things to do in Keoladeo National Park for a culturally and historically rich experience.
Top Things To Do In Keoladeo National Park
Opt For Safari Tours To Spot Flora And Fauna
Safari tours are the best way to explore Keoladeo National Park’s rich flora and fauna. Nature lovers and bird watchers will enjoy this experience; if you are one of them, this is one of the best Keoladeo things to do. Also, this national park offers three safari options: Jeep, Elephant, and Rickshaw.
An elephant and rickshaw safari is the best for the birdwatching tour as it is slower and gives you more time to witness the beautiful birds. The park authority also trains rickshaw pullers about the flora and fauna of the park so that they can also assist as guides. Opting for a jungle safari is the best option for an in-depth jungle exploration.
Enjoy The Cycling Tour For Birdwatching
Besides safari, choose cycling tours in Keoladeo National Park to spend time inside the park and explore it at your own pace. You can rent them from the entrance gate of the national park and enjoy spotting Siberian Cranes (winter), a critically endangered bird species.
Other famous birds to look out for are Pelicans, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Geese, Wagtails, and Flycatchers. Cycling tours will make your birdwatching tour more enjoyable and unique. This way, you can truly absorb the beauty of this park by cycling along meadows, bushes, swamps, and deciduous woodlands.
Explore The Only Invincible Fort In India, Lohagarh Fort
Make your way towards Lohagarh Fort, located 3.6 km from Keoladeo National Park. It is the only invincible fort in India, as no one has ever won this form though it is made of clay. A thick clay wall is made around the fort by the ruler of that time, Raja Surajmal. The king wanted a strong fort that required less money to build. During that time, the usage of guns and ammunition was high, and thus, a special device was used to construct the Lohagarh Fort so that gunpowder shells would not affect the walls.
The Britishers attacked Lohagarh Fort 13 times to take control of it but could not get through. The fort’s gate is made of eight metals, and another interesting fact is that there is no iron in it. Despite that, due to its impenetrability, it is called Loha(iron) Garh Fort.
Seek Blessings At One Of The Revered Lord Krishna Temples
Located at the heart of Bharatpur City, the famous Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most revered sites. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the temple is one of the most famous temples in Rajasthan. Banke Bihari Temple’s architecture is stunning and fascinates tourists and devotees. It resembles the temple located in Vrindavan by the same name. Lord Krishna was known by so many names, and Banke Bihari was one of them. This is one of the seven temples dedicated to him.
Banke Bihari Temple in Bharatpur is decorated with Lord Krishna and Radha’s idols and their childhood pictures on the path leading to the chamber. Also, the temple has beautiful Rajasthani-style architecture, which is about 150 years old. Outside the main hall is a verandah, walls, and roof with impressive paintings narrating Lord Krishna’s childhood events.
Admire The Exquisite Architecture Of Ganga Mandir
After your safari tour at Keoladeo National Park, head towards Ganga Mandir, which is about 2.8 km away. It is a magnificent temple dedicated to Ganga Maharaj. The deity’s statue installed here is made of pristine white marble, impressing the tourists. Also, the goddess is said to have been sitting on the crocodile’s back. Visit to find out on your own! Ganga Temple has a strong reverberance and can be heard from afar. It also signifies the purity and holiness of the sacred Goddess Ganga.
The architecture of Ganga Temple is splendid. You will see two-story buildings that have many architectural styles combined. The walls and pillars have excellent carvings. There is also a sculpture of Lord Krishna holding Giri Raj mountain on one side of the temple entrance. On the other hand, there are statues of Laxmi Narayanji and Shiva Parvati.
Visit Government Museum To See Antique Exhibits
Explore the Bharatpur Government Museum inside the premises of Lohagarh Fort to see many antiques and valuable exhibits. The museum was made in 1944 AD and has marvelous stone sculptures, wooden carvings, terracotta products, inscriptions, and more. The museum will give you a greater understanding of the region’s culture as it has many artifacts relating to Bharatpur’s history, art, and traditions.
Undoubtedly, visiting the Government Museum in Bharatpur is one of the best things to do near Keoladeo National Park. Also, take advantage of the separate gallery with paintings made on peepal leaves, mica, and litho papers. These are miniature paintings, and spending time here will be an excellent way to enjoy your time after your safari tour in Keoladeo.
Explore The Site Of A Legendary Battle
Visit Deeg Palace, where the battle between the Jats and a combined Mughal and Maratha army was fought. Deeg Palace is a beautiful palace that once belonged to Jat King and was his capital. Jat rulers took inspiration from Mughal architecture in Delhi and Agra and built a Deeg Palace that, to date, captivates visitors. You will spot similar gardens (Charbagh) like Mughal ones here, along with fountains in the garden areas. Their purpose was to lower the temperature during summer.
Deeg Palace has a monsoon pavilion, a single-storeyed palace with hundreds of fountains over the canals. When Holi came, organic color was mixed in the water tank, which went through the fountains and looked spectacular. Deeg Palace is primarily known for its monsoon-like appearance, with numerous fountains and machines that create thunder-like sounds around the year.
Spot Beautiful Birds At This Old Wildlife Reserve
Band Baretha, an old wildlife reserve, is a large town in Bharatpur. It is ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers, with over 200 birds. Earlier, the king of Bharatpur reserved 200 square kilometers of Band Baretha to make it a wildlife sanctuary. The town also has a past with the Mughals, which can be seen in the heritage of the monuments. The Old Fort and the Barah Khambonki Chhatri are the famous historical places to visit in Bandh Baretha.
The reserve is a spectacular place to see sambar, blue bull, wild boar, leopard, chital, hyena, and other animals. There is also a dam on the Kukund River that Maharaja Jaswant Singh started in 1866 AD, and then, in 1897 AD, Maharaj Ram Singh completed. The Darbar Mahal is a private property in Band Baretha, constructed by Maharaj Kishan Singh and owned by the royal family of Bharatpur.
Marvel At The Intricate Architecture At Laxman Mandir
Situated 2.6 km from Keoladeo National Park, Laxman Temple is a stunning temple with intricately carved doors, ornate walls, majestic arches, etc. It is dedicated to Laxman, the younger brother of Lord Rama from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Therefore, seeking blessings here is one of the best things to do near Keoladeo National Park. This temple has imposing idols of Lord Laxman and his wife Urmila and smaller Hanuman, Shatrughan, Bharat, and Ram statues.
The idols have a unique blend of 8 metals, “Ashtadhatu,” displaying exquisite Rajasthani-style temples. Besides, Laxman Temple has another temple of Lord Laxman nearby, built by Baldev Singh, Bharatpur’s founder. It is also believed that a sage, Sant Dass, inspired the king to build this temple. This also has idols of Lord Laxman and his wife Urmila.
Learn About The Rich Legacy Of Rajasthan History
Bharatpur Palace and Museum dates back to the 2nd century. It is a stunning combination of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, made entirely in white marble. Today, it has been converted into a heritage hotel, and a small section of Bharatpur Palace called “Kamra Khase” has been converted into a museum. It exhibits 581 stone sculptures, 861 local arts and crafts, and ancient scriptures that narrate the art and culture of Bharatpur.
The palace is imposing, making it one of Bharatpur’s best places to see. It will give you insight into the culture and heritage of Bharatpur and its lifestyle. An elegant and imposing structure, the Bharatpur Palace is one of the best places to visit in Bharatpur. It reflects the culture and heritage of this old Rajasthani city and offers an exciting insight into Bharatpur’s lifestyle.
With this list of the best things to do in and around Keoladeo National Park, enjoy a memorable wildlife tour in Rajasthan. The jeep, elephant, rickshaw safari, cycling, and walking tours are some of the best experiences in Keoladeo National Park. However, there is more to experience and engage in Bharatpur. If you wish to enjoy the best of Bharatpur, book wildlife tours in India by Indian Visit. Contact our travel experts today, who will assist you with tour packages and any questions regarding the location.