The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is the only wildlife sanctuary built artificially by the then Maharaja of Bharatpur. Created as an artificial lake and Dam to store the water brought by the annual floods in the nearby areas, The Keoladeo Ghana Sanctuary is today the 'paradise" for the avian lovers. Located in the Bharatpur city of Rajasthan and lying between two of India's most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. The city of the Taj Mahal, Agra is just about 55kms from the Sanctuary.

The Park was granted national park status in 1982 and declared a World Heritage Site in 1985 by UNESCO. It derived its name Keoladeo from the Hindu God Lord Shiva and Ghana meaning dense forest.

Formerly the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Bharatpur, the park today houses diverse variety of flora & fauna, majority of which are the winged species. Around 400 species of birds can be found in this 30kms long stretch land comprising of marshes , bogs and mixed wetlands, The Park is famous for the last visiting Siberian cranes. With paved - lane walkways, cycle tracks artificially built, a noticeable numbers of bird species upto 150 on a particular day can be glimpsed. Visitors are overwhelmed by the sheer number of Waterfowls and Waders that congregate on the marshy lake.


Wildlife Attraction
Birds - A part of the vast Indo- Gangetic plains and home to many endangered and rare species like the Solitary Lapwing, Indian Courser, Imperial, Indian Spotted Eagles, Darters, Asian OpenbillStorks, Demoiselle Cranes, Dalmatic Pelicans, Grey Night Jars, Dusky Eagle Owls, Marshall's lora, White Ibis, Brook's Leaf Warblers etc. Various species of Ducks namely, Pintails, Mallard, Shoveler, Waders , and Raptors make the place the pilgrimage for the birds.

The Sanctuary attracts migratory birds from all over the world including Europe and China, Central Asia as well as Siberia. Come the monsoon, the trees are filled with nests all over them, giving the shape of a pearl necklace. About 11km area of the Park is covered with water, the rest are inhabited by Kingfisher, Red Vanted Bulbuls, Quails etc, making the place colourful round the year with the vivid beauty of the avifauna.

Flora & Fauna - Renowned as the "Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary" the park is known to contain a variety of floral families, about 180 generes, 227 subspecies are found. One third of the park is covered by dry decidous forests filled with Ber, Acacia, Kadam and Khajur Trees. The grass wet lands with waters all over is the swimming pool of the duck species.

The animal population that share the same habitat are Blackbucks, Sambhar, Indian Antelope, Spotted Deer and Nilgais. Pythons can be sometimes observed on hot sunny days. Three types of wildcats, the Jungle cats, the Leopard cats and Fishing cats are prominently seen around.


Park Trip
An early morning boat trip enables the visitors to experience the hidden treasures of the sanctuary. The park can be viewed on foot or by riding a cycle through the beautifully crafted cycle tracks. Cycle -Rickshaws are also available on hire basis.


Best Time
Keoladeo Ghana Park is open to visitors throughout the year. Winter is the best season to visit as the birds are seen in plenty. The migratory birds also flock the sanctuary in the winters. The month between October and February is suitable for a trip to Bharatpur.

The climate ranges from 38°Centigrade to 45°Centrigrade in the summers while the winters see a downfall to as low as 10°C.