This tremendous bird sanctuary and national park has long been recognised as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. In a good monsoon season over one-third of the park can be submerged, hosting over 360 species within its 29 sq km. By far the best time to visit this park is October to February, when you should see many migratory birds. At other times, or even after poor monsoon conditions, it can be dry and relatively bird-free.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Archaeological Museum
22.79 MILES
This museum, renovated in 2016, houses a superb collection of religious sculptures by the Mathura school, which flourished from the 3rd century BC to the…
Akbar’s Mausoleum
27.34 MILES
This outstanding sandstone and marble tomb commemorates the greatest of the Mughal emperors. The huge courtyard is entered through a stunning gateway…
Krishna Balaram Temple Complex
27.54 MILES
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (www.iskcon.org), also known as the Hare Krishnas, is based at the Krishna Balaram temple complex…
Museum
1.52 MILES
One of the Lohagarh palaces, centred on a tranquil courtyard, houses this museum, which has royal artefacts, including weaponry, miniature paintings,…
Suraj Mahl’s Palace
21.77 MILES
At the centre of Deeg – a small, rarely visited, dusty tumult of a town about 35km north of Bharatpur – stands the incongruously glorious Suraj Mahl’s…
Jama Masjid
12.17 MILES
This beautiful, immense mosque was completed in 1571 and contains elements of Persian and Indian design. The main entrance, at the top of a flight of…
Palaces & Pavilions
12.21 MILES
The main sight at Fatehpur Sikri is the stunning imperial complex of pavilions and palaces spread amid a large, abandoned 'city' peppered with Mughal…
Lohagarh
1.52 MILES
The still-inhabited, 18th-century Lohagarh, or Iron Fort, was so named because of its sturdy defences. Despite being somewhat forlorn and derelict, it is…
Nearby Bharatpur attractions
1. Ganga Temple
1.16 MILES
Not far from the Lohiya Gate is this exquisite red sandstone two-storey temple dedicated to the goddess Ganga, with elaborately carved stone terraces…
3. Old Laxman Temple
1.24 MILES
Just south of the more prominent Laxman Temple, this older temple is believed to be around 400 years old. It is dedicated to Laxman, Lord Rama's younger…
4. Laxman Temple
1.3 MILES
This Hindu temple built by Maharaja Baldev Singh in1870 is dedicated to Laxman, Lord Rama's younger brother. It is surrounded by shops in the busy Bada…
5. Museum
1.52 MILES
One of the Lohagarh palaces, centred on a tranquil courtyard, houses this museum, which has royal artefacts, including weaponry, miniature paintings,…
6. Lohagarh
1.52 MILES
The still-inhabited, 18th-century Lohagarh, or Iron Fort, was so named because of its sturdy defences. Despite being somewhat forlorn and derelict, it is…
7. Jawahar Burj
1.6 MILES
This victory tower was built by Maharajah Suraj Mahl in 1765 to commemorate a victory over the Mughals. Worth a stroll for the view from the top.