Regarded as the one of the best and famous wildlife sanctuaries in India, Bharatpur National Park is the only wildlife sanctuary in India which was established artificially by a Maharaja. Rated as one of the finest bird sanctuaries on the globe, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is located in Bharatpur city of Rajasthan. Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, it homes indigenous water birds and many of the migratory water birds besides larger animals including Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Bharatpur wildlife sanctuary was laid way back in 1760 when Maharaja of Bharatpur built an artificial lake and a dam at this very site to store the water brought by the annual floods. Around 300 bird species are flourishing in this 29-sq-km-wildlife park which is divided into the stretches of marshes, scrubland and grassland. Its name as Keoladeo Ghana Park was inspired by an ancient Shiva Temple in the centre of national park. The term 'Ghana' means dense and indicates the thick forest, covering entire area. It became a national park on 10 March 1982 and a World Heritage Site in December 1985.
Avi-fauna in Bharatpur National Park
Wildlife enthusiasts visit this bird sanctuary, which is the second habitat in the world visited by Siberian Cranes in winter. When the rivers of Siberia are frozen due to extreme winters, Siberian Cranes visit Bharatpur National Park to spend their winters in India. After winters in Siberia, these huge cranes return to their breeding grounds. Highlights of the park include myriad migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia, who spend their winters in Bharatpur bird sanctuary. Other migratory birds at the Bharatpur bird sanctuary include several species of Geese, Ducks, Cranes, Pelicans, Eagles, Hawks, Warblers, Wheatears, Stints, Wagtails, Flycatchers, Buntings, Pipits, Larks and Shanks etc.

Other Attractions at Bharatpur National Park
Bharatpur Government Museum: It is the major tourist attraction in Bharatpur National Park, which preserves the articles recalling the royal past of Bharatpur.

Bharatpur Palace : Standing tall with pride amidst the park, Bharatpur Palace is a structural blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture. This architectural masterpiece is very picturesque and captivates the eyes of the tourists.

Lohagarh Fort : Lohagarh Fort in Bharatpur National Park bore the brunt of several attacks by British regime successfully.

Deeg Palace : Located 32 km from Bharatpur, this exotic palace was once the summer resort and boasts of numerous beautiful palaces and gardens.

How to Reach Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
By Air : Agra Airport is nearest (56 km) from Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. You also can reach Delhi Airport and access Bharatpur from there onwards.

By Rail : Bharatpur railway station is 6 km from the national park. Regular trains connect Bharatpur with all the major cities of India including Delhi, Agra, Mumbai and Jaipur.

By Road : A good quality road network connects Bharatpur with all the major towns of Rajasthan including Agra, Jaipur, Delhi and its neighboring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.