Top 5 Places to Visit in Bharatpur

An enchanting city of Rajasthan, Bharatpur is located at a distance of 178 km from the Pink city, Jaipur. It also lies on the golden triangle of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra, which helps the place attract even more tourists. Bharatpur also has other names such “Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan” and “Lohagarh“. Accommodations are no problem here as you get all kinds of lodgings to stay at, right from high end hotels to budget suits. You can move around the city via tongas and autos. You even get the facility of cabs. However, cycle rickshaws are the most convenient to find and travel with. This city has a number of attractions to see, the Bharatpur National Park being the most famous of all. Listed below are some of the best places of Bharatpur that must definitely find a place on your travel itinerary.

1. Bharatpur National Park

Photo (Cropped) by ASIM CHAUDHURI, CC BY 2.0

As mentioned earlier, Bharatpur National Park is the most famous tourist destination of Bharatpur. This park is also known as Keoladeo National Park and Keoladeo Ghana National Park. It is one of the Heritage sites of India. Stretching over a large area, it was once a duck shooting ground for the kings which was later brought under the protection of the government. Marshy lands, dense forests and woodlands make up the topography of the park. Not only is it a famous destination for Indians, but also for the foreigners who are into bird watching as this park houses the most number of birds in the entire world!

It has a total of 366 bird species. Apart from the birds, the park also houses 50 species of fishes, 5 species of lizards, 7 species of turtles and 13 species of snakes. The surprising facts do not end here. 379 species of flora can also be found here! A number of migratory birds visit this park and the authorities take good care of every bird. However, cars are not allowed within the premises. But you are allowed to go via rickshaws and tongas. Many people even prefer to walk.

The best time to visit this park would be during the monsoons or the winters when there is lush greenery all around and you can spot a number of migratory birds as well.

2. Ganga Temple

The Ganga temple is said to be the most beautiful temple of the entire desert state. It took over 90 years to build this breath-taking masterpiece. The constructions began under the rule of Maharaja Balwant Singh in 1854 and the statue of river Ganga was finally installed by his fifth successor.

A beautiful blend of Mughal, South Indian and Rajput style of architecture, this temple will leave you mesmerized. From the intricate carvings on the pillars and walls to the well adorned idols of Laxmi Narayan, Shiva-Parvati, Lord Krishna and Goddess Ganga, everything adds up to make it a perfect example of excellence. Ganga Dussehra and Gangashaptami are the best times to visit the temple if you wish to see it at its very best.

3. Lohagarh Fort

Photo by vivek Joshi, CC BY 2.0

Loha’ means iron. The fort has been named after such a strong metal to signify its strength. It is believed to be one of the strongest forts of all times. History has seen how the fort was attacked a number of times and how it has withstood each one of those. Neither the Mughals, nor the British had enough power to break through the strong walls of the fort. The structure incorporates a number of monuments most of which were built as a symbol of victory. An interesting museum is also a part of these monuments that has a number of items to amuse anyone interested in history.

4. Banke Bihari Temple

Bharatpur has a number of famous temples. The temple of Banke Bihari is one of those. The temple covers many acres of land and is another fine example of the architecture of those times. The main hall comprises of the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. These idols are beautifully adorned with jewels. The walls and ceilings have various pictures of other Gods and Goddesses. The veranda has many of Lord Krishna’s framed pictures that depict his childhood in a very beautiful manner. This temple is very crowded on the eve of Janmastami (the festival celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna).

5. Laxmana Temple

The city of Bharatpur has two Laxmana temples. One of these is 400 years old while the other is 3 centuries old. The former was built by Naga Baba and the latter by Maharaja Baldev Singh. The temple is beautifully built with the help of sandstone and white marble. The shrine stands in the middle of the city market and can be reached easily through any public transport.

The best months to visit Bharatpur are between November and February. Apart from suitable weather conditions, this is also the time when the city has the maximum number of migratory birds. Every bird watcher dreams to visit Bharatpur for he would probably have the best time of his life. Even if you are not much into birds, we are sure Bharatpur has enough to capture your heart and soul.

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About Rohit

An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs, he’s currently trying to bring forth as many different places a traveller who shares the same level of curiosity like him would like to visit through his writings.

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