Bharatpur Tourism and Travel Guide:
History of Bharatpur: Bharatpur There is more to Bharatpur than the national park though that’s the major claim to fame. It was closely linked with the ancient kingdom of Matsya Desh, which finds mention in Mahabharata. It was also a flourishing town during the second century BC (late Mauryan era). Sculpture and shards of pottery belonging to that period have been found at nearby Noh, on the Agra road.
Unlike the rest of Rajasthan, Bharatpur and its environs are peopled by Jats. A loose confederacy of Jats, formed in the late 17th century, began to make its presence felt by systematically attacking the surrounding countryside. By the middle of the 18th century, they came to control a large area
west of the Yamuna River between Delhi and Agra. Around this timework began on the Bharatpur fort and continued for as many as 60 years!
Bharatpur fort was the citadel of the Jat chieftain, Raja Surajmal, who earned himself a place in history by plundering the Taj Mahal and Red Fort in the sunset years of Mughal rule. He built this fort as a point of resistance against the British. Laying siege to it in 1805, Lord Lake hung on grimly for four months but had to retreat in the face of the heaviest looses ever suffered by the British up to that time.
The sanctuary is situated a couple of kilometers from Bharatpur town. Till the late 19th century it was generally like the surrounding countryside-part scrub, part woodland and tending to be dry. But there was a difference. Year after year, during the monsoons, a slight depression spread over a considerable area trapped rainwater and wildfowl homed in on the unexpected bonanza. The maharaja recognized the potential of the place. Rather than wait for a liberal monsoon, he decided to increase the supply of water by diverting some from a nearby irrigation canal. He also constructed small dams and dykes to hold the water, the idea being to turn the area into the best wildfowl hunting preserve in north India.
The maharaja’s planning paid off. The new ecosystem flourished way beyond expectation, so much so that today it is able to support thousands of water birds for months on end. For several years the maharaja celebrated his success by throwing extravagant shooting parties for British dignitaries and other Indian princes. But surprisingly birds continued to converge on the habitat. In 1956 the hunting preserve became a sanctuary and subsequently a national park.
Climate: In Bharatpur, during summers (April-June), the temperature ranges from 38°C to 45°C. The onset of monsoon (July-August) lowers the temperature to about 27°C. Winter (October-March) season peaks after Christmas with temperatures falling below 10°C. Ground fog in the winter persists rather erratically on unspecified periods in January.
BharatpurHow to Reach?
By Air: The nearest airport is Agra, Agra has daily flights for Delhi and Jaipur.
By Rail: Bharatpur is on the main Delhi – Bombay line with regular connections to Mathura, Sawai Madhopur and Kota on the same route. It is also connected with Agra.
How to Reach Bharatpur by Road: Bharatpur is well connected by road with Agra, Mathura, Delhi and Jaipur. Regular bus services operate for all major cities. The road distance to important places from Bharatpur is.
Cuisine: If you are planning to visit Bharatpur, then do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the flavors of Bharatpur cuisine. This land is referred to as the land of kings, therefore cuisine preparation was very important here. Bharatpur cuisine is highly influenced by the availability of raw material and war-like lifestyle of native inhabitants. The rise of the hotel industry in the state provides options to visitors coming here. Indian, Continental and regional foods of Rajasthani food are served to the visitors. Perhaps the best-known item of Rajasthani food is dal, bati and churma. Sweets are an integral part of food here, which is served before the starting of food.
Cuisine
Indian, Continental
Shopping: Bharatpur is world renowned for the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Not obviously a shopping destination, tourists heading for Bharatpur can manage to take home souvenirs and curios typical of India. For shoppers, the ideal place to shop would be the city of Jaipur.
Jaipur is famous for its jewelery made of precious and semi-precious stones. Also known are Jaipur textiles especially the bandhej (tie and dye print), brass work, antiques and marble carvings.
Bharatpur is famous throughout the world mainly as a National Park. There are not many Bharatpur shopping destinations. However, tourists visiting Bharatpur can still find buying small stuff to take back as souvenirs. Read on this Bharatpur shopping guide to explore more about shopping in this city.
Bharatpur Shopping places in Bharatpur, Rajasthan are known for a number of items. Some of the famous shopping items of Bharatpur are:Jewelry (of precious and semi-precious stones)
Antiques
Marble carvings
Brass work
Though Bharatpur is mainly known for its world famous Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the shopping in Bharatpur can also be a pleasant experience. Your shopping in Bharatpur is going to be a great experience as the markets are studded with everything that makes Rajasthan famous for.
The best places where you can have a real good shopping experience are Mathura Gate, Laxmi Mandir, Chaurburja Bazaar and Ganga Mandir. Situated 32 km away from Bharatpur, Deeg also makes an interesting place to shop for.
