Bharatpur Bird sanctuary - A Safe Place For Avians , The Place for Bird Lovers

One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park, in Bharatpur, Rajasthan India) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water-birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar. It is visited by a large number of visitors since it is on the tourist circuit of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur, and also visited by photographers wanting to capture birds in all their glory. 

The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that sees (or saw) thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane come here during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the National Park their home. It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It is also a declared World Heritage Site.

Flora in Bharatpur

More than 300 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29-sq-kms of which 11-sq-kms are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. ‘Ghana’ means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.

Saras on water shore

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is famous as an ‘Ornithologist’s Paradise’. The sanctuary is the only manmade wildlife sanctuary in India, developed by an erstwhile Maharaja of Bharatpur. The sanctuary covers an area of approximately 29 sq km, 10 sq km of which comprises of fresh water marshes, shallow lakes and bogs. The favorable environmental conditions combined with enough nutritious food for the birds at Bharatpur Bird sanctuary attracts thousands of indigenous as well as migratory birds every year including the world-renowned Siberian Cranes.

Flamingos 

The park houses more than 300 species of birds and is spread over 30 square kilometers. It is the perfect place to introduce your child to the wonderful world of animals and birds. The migratory birds arrive by August and leave in February. You can find several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, etc. The migratory birds include the Coot Snipes, Spanish Sparrow, Red Crested Porhard, Rosy Pelican and Flamingo. The star of the show is, however, the Siberian Crane. You can also find many mammals and reptiles in the park apart from birds. Pythons, Sambhars, Jackals, Otters, Spotted Deer, etc. are some of the other inmates here.

Location of Bharatpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary on Google Maps

Other places to visit around Bharatpur

• Bharatpur Palace : Not far from the museum is the Bharatpur Palace, an marvellous structural blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
• Deeg Palace: Situated just 32-kms away from Bharatpur is the Deeg Palace. A strong and massive fortress, Deeg Palace was the summer resort of the ruler of Bharatpur and houses numerous beautiful places and gardens
• Bharatpur Government Museum: One of the major attention grabber after the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of Bharatpur, which provides a glimpse of the past royal splendour of Bharatpur. 
• Lohagarh Fort: The invincible Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered despite several attacks by the British Regime
  

Best time to visit Bharatpur Sanctuary

Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary is open throughout the year, still the ideal visiting months are from August-November for resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant birds. There are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire. An early morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to check out the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.

How to get there

The sanctuary is located in east Rajasthan just 50 kilometers from Agra and can make for an ideal weekend vacation. You can get to Bharatpur by bus (operated by the state transport and private operators) from Delhi, Agra or Jaipur. Bharatpur also has a train station in case you decide to get there by train. It connects to all the major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai Jaipur and Agra. The nearest airport is situated in Agra. You can also get to Bharatpur by road as an excellent network of roadways connects Bharatpur to all the major cities.

Important things to take along

• Bharatpur has a very tropical climate as is located on the fringes of the Thar Desert. Wear light cottons during the summer and woolens during winter.
• Carry a pair of dinoculars for bird watching
• While restaurants are located within the park, they are very basic. It is preferable to carry your own food
• There is an entry fee to visit the park. Extra charges are levied for cameras and photographic equipment
  

Where to stay in Bharatpur

Perhaps no other wildlife sanctuary in India offers the range of accommodation as in Bharatpur. There are
rest houses, lodges, dormitories and hotels.

• Hotel Bharatpur Ashok, India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. Inside Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur , PIN – 321001
• Hotel Udai Vilas Palace ,  Fatehpur Sikri Road, Bharatpur , PIN – 321 001
• Kadam kunj , NH-11, fatehpur Sikri Rd, Bharatpur
• The Birders Inn , Bird Sanctuary Road Bharatpur

Rajasthan Tourism provides good accommodation at its hotel, ‘Saras’. Inside the park, the Bharatpur Forest Lodge is maintained by the ITDC. Shanti Kuteer, Circuit House, Dak Bungalow are also good for a comfortable stay. Park Palace, Govind Niwas and the Tourist complex are the other choices.

Jaipur - The Pink City

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Also known as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. It was founded in the year 1727 A.D by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Named after its founder, the city is one of the first planned cities in India . Jaipur is a sought after tourist destination in the state, owing to its rich historical past and age old grandeur. The royal fervor can be evidently experienced from the ancient monuments dotting the city, lifestyle of the people, culture and the food. Surrounded by three magnanimous forts, carpeted with lush gardens and splashed with serene lakes, a visit to Jaipur is a sheer delight for visitors. To know some of the major tourist attractions and places to see in Jaipur, read on.

Places to See in Jaipur

City Palace

Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the palace is an excellent blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. On entering the palace complex, the first structure is Mubarak Mahal, built by Sawai Madho Singh in 19^th century. It now houses a museum dedicated to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, showcasing royal costumes and bulky clothes worn by former rulers. The Diwaan-e-aam houses an art gallery displaying rare manuscripts, scriptures and paintings.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is the main landmark of Jaipur. Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the five storied pink sandstone structure is known as the Palace of Winds, as it boasts of 953 intricately carved windows overlooking the busy bazaar street. Originally, constructed for the royal ladies, this is an excellent example of Rajput architecture. Apart from providing an extensive view of the city, the sunset viewed from its latticed windows is an unforgettable experience.

Jantar Mantar

Another intriguing monument in the pink city is Jantar Mantar. It is one of the five observatories in India and was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. Providing an insight into the fields of numerology and astronomy, it 

houses ancient astronomical instruments chiseled out of stone. The most interesting instrument here is the Sundial. The shadow cast on it helps in the determination of local and meridian pass time. Besides, varied attributes of the heavenly bodies can also be calculated with the help of it.

Birla Mandir

Also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is located near the Moti Dungri Fort. Built entirely out of white marble, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The temple has three domes which represent different approaches to religion. A major tourist attraction, the temple is highly crowded during festive time.

Albert Hall Museum

One of the oldest museums in the state, Albert Hall museum is situated amidst the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh garden on the outskirts of Jaipur. The museum combines the fine elements of English and north Indian architecture and was opened in 1980s. It houses rare royal artifacts, miniature paintings from different schools of Rajasthan, carpet by Mirza Jai Singh I from Shah Abbas of Persia and an Egyptian mummy belonging to the Ptolemaic Epoch.

Kanak Vrindavan

Situated on the foothills of Nahargarh Hills, these are beautiful landscaped gardens with an intricately craved temple made of beige stone. The sprawling complex is laid with terrace sites, marble columns and lattices. The place is quite popular amongst picnickers and film makers owing to its splendor. The ideal time to be around here is during monsoon, as it sparkles after being washed from the rain water.

Amber Fort

Popularly known as the Amer Fort, it is one of the most magnificent monuments, situated on the outskirts of the city. The ruling fortress of the Kachhawa clan of Amber, it is an excellent blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The interiors of the palace are laid with expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings.

Other Attractions

Some of the other places worth visiting in Jaipur include Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Govind Dev ji Temple, Galtaji, Gaitore, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh, etc. Besides, Jaipur is a paradise for all those, who love shopping and food. The ethnic items showcasing the traditional and royal art are a must buy here. Furthermore, you can pamper your taste buds with delicious Rajasthani cuisine and delicacies. In effect, Jaipur has proved to be a must visit tourist destination in the desert yet enigmatic state of Rajasthan.

Accommodation

Owing to the fact that Jaipur is a popular tourist destination, it houses a number of varied accommodation options catering to visitors from all economic backgrounds. The 5 star hotels in Jaipur include Le Meridien, Hotel Clarks, Hotel Mansingh, Oberoi Rajvilas etc. Apart from this, there are a host of heritage and budget hotels in the city.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is situated 10 km from Jaipur, which is known as the Sanganer Airport. It operates domestic flights which connect it with Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur.

By Train

Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities of Rajasthan and India by trains. There are regular trains to cities like Delhi, Agra, Chennai, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Udaipur, Bikaner and Ahmedabad.

By Road

A well-developed network of road connects Jaipur to important places in Rajasthan and north India. Private as well as government buses ply from here at regular intervals which connect Jaipur to all the nearby major cities such as Delhi and Agra.

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Steepest street in the world

The steepest street in the world has taken everyone by surprise.

  

It climbs an awesome slope to history in suburban Dunedin, New Zealand - not hilly San Francisco, craggy Cumbria or alpine Switzerland.

Baldwin Street runs off a main road just minutes from the centre of the city. The little street lifts gently then rears up dramatically only to stop dead on the hillside after 34 houses.

A walk up it is a heady experience and shouldn't be missed. Choose the 270 steps past just seven houses or test your calf muscles on the path opposite - the wooden railing helps.

Turn at the top for a conqueror's view of distant hills and traffic far below and, in the serenity above the morning mist, consider why Baldwin Street residents, young and old, remain faithful to their hillside homes.

   On the right day, if the mail is still peeping from the boxes, one of the often reserved inhabitants might come out and explain why the huge macrocarpa hedge has a big, brown scar, why sightseers musn't drive up Baldwin Street, what happened when two new houses were built, or even how one man nearly lost his life.

   Although in a city that dates back to the middle of last century - and was settled by hardy, pioneering Scots who named their hilly, harbour settlement 'Dunedin - Edinburgh of the South' - Baldwin Street didn't yield its secret until 1985. The late discovery may be due to the imperturbable nature of Dunedin citizens. Thirty-three of their streets have gradients of more than 1 in 6, several higher than 1 in 4.

To matter-of-fact residents, Baldwin Street is just another of the city's casually-labelled "steep seven". Dalmeny Street is two streets away and View Street is an important traffic link in the centre of town. Only a modest sign warning motorists to park with their fuel tanks on the upper side acknowledges its grand swoop into Moray Place.

Before the Guinness Book of Records listing, Baldwin Street residents didn't consider steep streets to be a visitor attraction. More likely choices close to home were the Botanic Garden with its rhodedendrons and azaleas, the edge of city walking tracks further along North East Valley or the magnificently architectured Otago University - new Zealand's first. But in 34 houses as individual as New Zealanders themselves, residents stirred uneasily as a new dam broke on Baldwin Street.

Screams from tortured engines, human cries of anguish and sounds of crumpling metal and splitting wood became common as thrill-seekers allowed their vehicles to tell them what their eyes didn't. Cars stall when drivers try to change gear on the hill. As braking power is less rolling backwards than moving forward vehicles often career out of control. That's why the hedge is scarred and wooden street railings have new sections. A low gear whine can be heard as residents move along the gentle slope and up the hill. They know how to approach the climb and can say which vehicles shouldn't tackle the gradient.

  

A truck driver leaving one of the newest properties clung to the brake pedal and the cab after his lorry flipped forward at the steepest point. Locals held his huge vehicle together with rope until he reached the bottom. Later a resident said: "He is a very lucky man".

Baldwin Street IS steep - maximum gradient 1 in 2.9 angle over 38 degrees.

Afterwards, adventurous victims glance defensively at the concreted section and say: "It doesn't look that STEEP".

Wistfully, old timers remember: It used to be such a quiet street.

Like anyone newly famous, Baldwin Street is trying to come to terms with its status. The Dunedin Visitor Centre doesn't offer promotional literature on the marvel. "The residents wouldn't like it". But ask how to find Baldwin Street and you'll be given directions. Take the Normanby bus to North Road and it's the tenth street past the Gardens corner.

Some wish the street sign 'World's Steepest' didn't exist. They say only a total ban on unauthorised driving will suffice. The annual Gut Buster event in which contestants of all ages race up the monster, is gradually being accepted.

   
To conclude from this that sightseers aren't welcome on Baldwin Street is understandable. 

But it would be wrong; an underestimation of the helpful nature of friendly Kiwis when they encounter genuine tourists. The 

Japanese who admired an impressive camellia bush was presented with blooms by its owner, residents posed for the camera of a Canadian, and the resident who related the latest needless accident close to his home, didn't hesitate when asked if considerate visitors were welcome .