The historical land of Rajasthan is a home
to numerous sites, each one of which has a different history to share with
varying significance. Among all these places, Bharatpur, the 'gateway to eastern
Rajasthan' acquires its own importance in the tourist map of India.
A Date With The Past
A major tourist destination in the Indian map today, Bharatpur
has gone through several stages since the 5th century BCE. Named after Bharat,
the younger brother of the Hindu deity Rama, Bharatpur was earlier a part
of the Matsya kingdom, and saw several rulers ruling over it till the 18th
century CE. In the year 1733, the small area of Bharatpur was formally founded
by the Maharaja Suraj Mahl, who captured the fort of Bharatpur from Khemkaran,
the rival chief, whom he killed and laid the foundation of Bharatpur City.
It was Maharaja Suraj Mahl who pampered the city by developing it and constructing
numerous palaces, gardens and temples in and around it, and the city kept
on it dignity under the British rule as well. However, after the Indian independence
in 1947, the government of India also protected it as the home to the Bharatpur
sanctuary.
Must See in Bharatpur
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary : The 18th century Bharatpur Bird
Sancttuary, which is also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National park, is famous
as the most important bird breeding and feeding habitat of the world. The
park also shelters the rare species of the migratory birds along with its
permanent residents, and the species like Siberian Cranes, Storks, Moorhens,
Herons, Egrets and Cormorants are among a few to name. Besides these birds,
the sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Other Attractions
Lohagarh : Also known as the Iron fort, Lohagarh is one of
the major historical attractions of Bharatpur. The fort, which was built by
Maharaja Suraj Mahl in the 18th century CE, comprises small palaces inside,
which though in ruins, symbolises the magnificent work of art carried on by
the Indian architects. Besides the Ashtadhatu gate serving as the entrance
of the fort, the fort has two standing towers, Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj,
which commemorates the strength of the fort and bravery of the Rajputs shown
during frequent attacks by the Mughals and the British.
Bharatpur Museum : One of the major attractions of Bharatpur
after the famous sanctuary, the Bharatpur museum is a major source to have
a date with the past royal glory of the place. The museum, which lies in the
former meeting hall or 'durbar' of the Maharaja(ruler), displays well preserved
sculptures dating back to as old as 2nd century CE, wall paintings, weaponry
and old photographs of the royal family. However, the most treasured artifacts
in the museum are the 7th century carving of the Hindu deity Shiva and His
wife, Goddess Parvati, and a 10th century fine carving of the God Shiva in
the form of 'Nataraja' - a cosmic dancer. Painted Stork at NestNehru Park
: A beautiful garden, the Nehru Park, lies close to the Bharatpur museum.
The park, full of colourful flowers and green grass lawn, attracts the visitors
with its exquisite beauty.
Deeg Palace : Located 32 kilometers away of Bharatpur, the
Deeg Palace is a strong and massive fort, which acted as the summer resort
for the rulers of Bharatpur. Now also it houses numerous beautiful palaces
and gardens, which make it an ideal place to visit. Ganga Temple : Dedicated
in the honour of the Goddess Ganga, the Ganga temple was built during the
reigns of Maharaja Balwant Singh and his successor, Maharaja Brijendra Singh
in the 19th-20th centuries. The two storied temple made of sandstone, comprises
ornately carved arches and black and white floor and is still venerated by
the Hindus of the area. Best Months to Visit The best time to visit Bharatpur
is during the months of October, November, February and March. Travelling
in The City One can take up several means of transportation like taxis, cycle-rickshaws
and auto-rickshaws to move from one place to another in Bharatpur.
How
to Get There
By Air : The nearest airport is at Agra(56 km), which is a domestic airport and directly connected to cities like Delhi and Jaipur.
By Rail : Bharatpur, which lies on the Delhi-Mumbai broad gauge trunk route line, is well connected with frequent and regular rail services with Delhi, Agra, Mathura, Jaipur and Kota.
By Road : A good network of roads connect Bharatpur to other
major destinations such as Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Sariska by regular and
frequent bus and taxi services.
More Rajasthan Destinations :
