Bharatpur

Location
World famous for its wildlife bird sanctuary, Bharatpur is situated in the state of Rajasthan. The town is located at a distance of 56 kms from Agra, 251 kms from Delhi and 174 kms from Jaipur.

Climate
Bharatpur has a tropical climate, which ranges from extreme hot in summers to normal cold in winters. During summers months from April to June, the temperature varies between 38°C to 45°C, while in monsoon (July-August) the temperature lowers around 27°C. In winters (November to March) the temperature drops down to 10°C.

When to Visit
The best season to visit Bharatpur is between October to February, when the migratory birds come to the wildlife sanctuary from different parts of the world. About Bharatpur
Bharatpur -the eastern gateway to Rajasthan is situated on the fringes of the Thar desert. Founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733, Bharatpur was an impregnable and well-fortified city. Once the capital of the kingdom ruled by Jat Maharajas, the town is the administrative headquarters of the Bharatpur district. Legend goes that the town was named after Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama, whose other brother Laxman was worshiped by royal family of Bharatpur as family deity. It is believed that the town and its fort was founded by Rustam, a Jat chieftain belonging to the Sogariya clan. Maharaja Surajmal took over the power from Khemkaran, the son of Rustom and made the state a formidable force in the region. Surajmal established Bharatpur as the capital of the state, and fortified the city by constructing a massive wall around it. Today well-known for the Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), the town draws thousands of tourists every year.

Major Attractions
Keoladeo National Park A UNESCO World Heritage site, this former duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas, is a paradise for nature lovers and ornithologists. Considered among the best bird sanctuaries in the world, this park is inhabited by some 415 species of birds, including migratory birds like the Siberian crane. Large number of aquatic birds from Afganistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia come to this park to spend their winters.

Lohagarh Fort (Bharatpur Fort)
The massive iron fort was built by Maharaja Surajmal in the early 18th century. Due to its impregnable defenses the fort sustained a number of British attacks. The fort houses three palaces - Kishori Mahal, Mahal Khas and Kothi Khas, which are an example of the Rajput and the Mughal architectural styles. The in-house museum provides an insight into the weapons used by the erstwhile rulers.

Government Museum
The museum has a rich collection of artifacts, exquisitely carved sculptures and ancient inscriptions. The items kept in the museum speak of the rich heritage, art and crafts of the region.

Jawahar Burj and Fateh Burj : Standing within the ramparts of the Fort, these towers are two of the eight towers built by Maharaja Surajmal. Jawahar Burj and Father Burj were built by Surajmal to commemorate his victories over the Mughals and the British respectively. How to Reach Bharatpur
By Air : Nearest airport is Agra (56 kms), which is connected to Delhi and other major cities of India.
By Rail : Bharatpur is connected by express trains to cities of Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur.
By Road : A good network of roads connects Bharatpur with cities inside and outside Rajasthan. Regular bus services link Bharatpur with Jaipur and other towns in Rajasthan.