Set up initially in 1850 as a duck shooting resort for Bharatpur's Raja Suraj Mahl, the Keoladeo National Park is named after the Keoladeo (Shiva) Temple in the locality. In 1982, the reserve was converted into a wildlife sanctuary and in 1985 it was given the distinction of a World Heritage Spot. The Keoladeo National Park houses about 364 varieties of birds and is one of the world's primary avian breeding grounds. A number of migratory birds from colder lands such as Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and Siberia make Keoladeo their refuge during the winter months. The incessant monsoons inundate most of the sanctuary thus creating an ecosystem well suited to shelter these avian visitors.
Storks (such as the open-bill storks, gappy bills, white neck storks, black-neck storks and the painted storks), moorhens, herons (such as grey, purple and night herons), egrets (e.g. the large egret) kingfishers, eagles, vultures, owls, cormorants, exotic birds such as Saras Cranes, the Indian Darters, Siberian Cranes and a host of other ducks, pelicans, robins, wagtails, mynahs are common sights at the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Other animals easily spotted here include the deer such as sambars, spotted deer, bluebulls, jackals, jungle cats, blackbucks, hares, mongooses and pythons.
October to February is the best time to visit the Keoladeo Ghana National Park and early morning and dusk are the times best suited to spot the rare plumage you've been eager to catch a glimpse of.
The entry fee charged for an Indian national in the Keoladeo Ghana National Park is Rs 20 and Rs 200 for a foreigner. Video photography fees are Rs 200.The National Park is open from 6 am to 6 pm in April to September and 6.30 am to 5.30 pm October to March months.
