Keoladeo National Park

History

The former name of Keoladeo National Park is Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. It is located in the town of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, and famous for its huge varieties of bird species. The term Keoladeo means Lord Shiva, and the area was named after him. The place became a sanctuary more than 250 years ago. A large portion of the Park was a favorite hunting ground of the Maharajas. In mid-19th century, royal events of duck shoots were regularly organized, honoring British Viceroys. 

The last shooting event took place in 1964. The whole area was designated as a bird sanctuary in the year 1976, by the Central Government of India. On 10th March, in the year 1982, the region was awarded the status of a National Park. In the same year, grazing was totally banned by the authorities. In 1985, the Keoladeo National Park gained the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Useful Information

Total area – 28.73 sq km

Core area – 

Elevation range – 572 meters

Latitude – 27°7'06” N – 27°12'02” N

Longitude – 77°29'05' E – 77°33'09” E

Nearest river – Banganga River, Gambhir River 

Nearby hills – 

Avg. annual rainfall – 662 mm 

Flora of Keoladeo National Park

The area of Keoladeo National Park is marked by predominantly sparse vegetation. The core area of the Park is the only region in the vast expanse to have dense forests. The Park has deciduous forests of tropical dry category. In places where there has been degradation of the forests, various kinds of shrubs have grown and covered the region. Most of the places in the Park have medium-sized trees. During the monsoons, it is not uncommon for some parts of the Park to be flooded by rainwater. 

The North-eastern parts of the Park have Kadam and Jamun trees, which you can witness while availing Keoladeo tour packages. You can also find Babul trees in these areas. Scrublands of the Keoladeo National Park are mainly marked by trees like Kair. The area also has Ber trees. The open woodlands of the Park have Kandi trees. In some regions of the Park, you can also spot Piloo trees. They are said to be the only woody plants that can grown in saline soil. The overall aquatic vegetation of the terrain is extremely rich, and also provides food to a wide range of species in the Park. 

Since 2007, there have been initiatives taken by the concerned administration to improve the ecological balance of the Park. 

Fauna of Keoladeo National Park

The Keoladeo Park has huge varieties of invertebrates that you would enjoy exploring when you avail Keoladeo adventure packages. There are several categories of worms, mollusks and insects, spread across various parts of the Park. They form the food sources for several birds and fishes living in the Park. 

But, the major attractions of the Park are of course the identified and documented 27 species of mammals, some of them belonging to the cat family, which you could witness in Keoladeo safari tours. There are three major cats present in the jungles – jungles cats, fishing cats, and the leopard cats. Although large-sized predators are almost absent in the Park, but you could spot golden jackals and striped hyenas in the region, when you avail Keoladeo wildlife packages. You could also spot Bengal Foxes. 

The Park is also a peaceful abode for smaller animals such as palm civets, gray mongooses, porcupines, mice, gerbils, smooth-coated otters, and bats. 

When you avail Keoladeo weekend tour packages, it is common to witness the activities of animals such as Blackbucks, and Hog Deer. The area also has Nilgai. 

There are lots of beautiful birds, including the migratory avian species, found in the Park. You can witness birds such as common teal, tufted duck, little cormorant, Indian shag, painted stork, oriental ibis, wood sandpiper and cranes while availing top-rated Keoladeo sightseeing packages. 

Climate

Climate plays a major role for planning a tour to a place, especially to a National Park. The climate of the Keoladeo National Park hovers around extremes of temperatures. There are two major seasons, summer and winter, and a small period of monsoons in between. 

Months from late November to early March mark the winter season. There is a drastic difference between the daytime and night temperatures. The day temperature levels can be in the mid-twenties in degree Celsius, whereas the nighttime temperatures can even drop to 0 degree Celsius. The wind is chilly, and the humidity level is too low. 

The summer season usually begins from the end-weeks of March and continues till June. Summers in these regions are extremely hot. There is dryness in the air. Also, daytime temperatures can soar above 50 degree Celsius, making it almost unbearable to explore the Park, especially in months of April to mid-June. 

The Park has three monsoon months, from July to September, and the region gets a fair bit of rainfall during this period, when the humidity in air rises. 

Best Time to Visit Keoladeo National Park

It is obvious that you would like to visit the Keoladeo National Park in the most suitable time of the year. As the summers are extremely hot, it is recommended to plan the tour in winter months, availing Keoladeo holiday packages, though there are tourists in the Park during summer season, too. 

In winter months, especially in December and January, the temperatures during daytime are moderate, and the air is cool. The humidity is low. You would feel comfort traversing through the Park, and enjoying the joy of expeditions. But keep in mind that temperatures at night can sharply drop to 0 degree Celsius. So, you need to carry heavy winter garments when you plan Keoladeo safari tours at the end or beginning of the year. 

One of the wonderful things of the Park when you visit it during winter is its abundance of migratory birds. You would be able to witness a wide range of migratory bird species. You would be immersed in the soothing experience of bird-watching. 

When you visit during summer days, there are definitely more chances to get glimpses of big-sized mammal residents of the Park, as they arrive near the banks of the streams to quench their thirst. 

How to Reach Keoladeo National Park

As Keoladeo is located at Bharatpur and it is a well-connected city, so, you would not be facing any issues to reach the location, when you have nicely planned Keoladeo National Park itinerary. The following tell you more on this. 

By rail: The nearest railways station to the Park is the Bharatpur Junction. It is connected to several major rail stations across the country. For example, you can board a train on New Delhi, Mumbai, Mathura, etc to reach Bharatpur Junction. After reaching the station, you can easily rent a car, taking you directly to the Park’s entrance gate. 

By road: You have many choices to reach Bharatpur if you opt to rent a car or drive, from nearby states or from another city in Rajasthan. Moreover, you can choose the services of a private or public bus to comfortably reach your destination. 

By air: The nearest airport to Keoladeo is the Agra Airport, which is located 54 km away from the Park. You can conveniently take a flight to Agra, from any major city in India, and reach Keoladeo renting a car from the airport. There are public transportation options, too, at the airport. 

Connectivity & Distances

Railway station: Bharatpur Rail Junction   

Bus Stand: Bharatpur Bus Stand 

Airport: Agra Airport 

Nearest city/town: Bharatpur

Places To Visit Near Keoladeo National Park

When you are availing Keoladeo sightseeing packages, there are numerous places where you can visit, making your tour more interesting and memorable. 

Lohagarh Fort – You can visit the famous Lohagarh fort in Bharatpur on a weekend trip, which is very close to the Park. It was built way back in the 19th century, by Maharaja the Great King Suraj Mal. 

Bharatpur Palace – It is one of the magnificent architectural wonders in Bharatpur that you can visit on a weekend getaway tour, also witnessing the adjoining museum it has, displaying lots of artifacts of historical significance. 

Ganga Mandir – Ganga Mandir was built in the year 1845, and has been an integral part of historical places in Bharatpur since then. The immaculately beautiful Temple took 90 years to be constructed. 

Laxman Mandir – Laxman Mandir is one of the most incredible temples, and architecture marvels, that you could visit availing Keoladeo family packages. There are embellished walls and grandiose arches, emanating colorful vibes and reflecting local traditions.