I have been going to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary since childhood. In those days, as a child, I was more concerned about the gossip with her friends than the sounds of birds. In those days, marks mattered more than the number of places that I have been to. And the teacher’s word was final. A guide-like figure didn’t exist in my life.

Did you know that Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary became all the rage because of a particular bird that visited this park all the way from Siberia? Yes, Siberian Cranes. In 2001, when I first visited the park as part of an excursion tour from school, the park was home to Siberian Cranes and a favourite of many ornithologists. It’s been 10 years since Siberian cranes visited the park the last but there’s not even an iota of a dent in this place’s glory. If anything, it’s becoming more and more popular. Now, I happen to visit this place several times in a year – one of the few perks of being an adult.

Iconic Places (or People) often have too many names. Because one name is never enough to contain & represent their personalities. Often, more than one is required. Perhaps this is why Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is also known by many names – Keoladev National Park, Ghana Bird Sanctuary & Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Other than being a hub of migratory & resident birds, this place is also a Ramsar site & a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is probably why it takes many visits to understand its personality. And by then, you are so charmed that you keep coming back.

In my last visit to Bharatpur and my first as an amateur birder, I was introduced to the many wonders of nature. Talk about the birds

And leave with Pelicans