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CITY: DEEG

Telephone extension: 05641
Population: 40,000

DEEG

Very few travellers ever make it to Deeg, about 36km north of Bharatpur. This is a pity because this small town with its massive fortifications, stunning palace and busy market is actually more interesting than Bharatpur itself (apart from the bird sanctuary, of course). It's an easy day trip from Bharatpur, Agra or Mathura.
Builtby Suraj Mahl in the mid-18th century, Deeg was formerly the second capital of Bharatpur state and the site of a famous battle in which the maharaja's forces combined Mughal and Maratha army of some 80,000 men. Eight years later, the maharaja even had the temerity to attack the Red Fort in Delhi! The booty he carried off included an entire marble building which can still be seen.

Suraj Mahl's Palace
Suraj Mahl's Palace (Gopal Bhawan) has to be one of India's most beautiful buildings. It's also in an excellent state of repair and, as it was used by the maharajas until the early 1970s, most of the rooms still contain their original furnishings.
Built in a combination of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles, the 18th century palace fronts onto a tank, the Gopal Sagar, and is flanked by two exquisite pavilions. The tank and palace are surrounded by well-maintained gardens which also contain the Keshav Bhawan, or Sumer Pavilion, with its hundreds of fountains, many of which are still functional but usually only turned on far local festivals.
The palace is open 8 am to 5 pm daily (free entry).
Deeg's massive walls (up to 28m high) and 12 bastions, some with their cannons still in place, are also worth exploring.

Places to Stay

Currently there is only one decent place to stay in Deeg. The RTDC's Motel Deeg (( 21000), not far from the bus stand, has just three rooms with private bath for Rs 250/300 a single/double. If you have a tent, they'll let you pitch it on their compound for Rs 30 per person (includes use of bathroom). Meals are available; a veg thali is Rs 55.

Getting There & Away
There are frequent buses between Deeg and Alwar; the 2 1/2 hour trip costs Rs 22/28 by local/express bus. Buses for Bharatpur leave every 30 minutes and the one-hour journey costs Rs 12/15 for a local/express bus. There is one daily direct bus to Agra (Rs 45).