Citadel of Culture and Camels

The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendour that pervades the city's lifestyle. More popularly called the camel country , the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts , transporting grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers.The wells of Bikaner: an important source of water are other attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Binaker's history dates back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore Prince,Rao Bikaji- a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur(1459 A.D.), Rao Jodhaji, established his kingdom here. Rao Jodhaji had five sons but  Rao Bikaji was the most enterprising of them. Bikaji chose a barren wilderness called 'Jangladesh' and transformed it into an impressive city, called Bikaner after the founder' name.

The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient caravan routes that came from West/Central Asia, made it a prime trade centre in the times of the yore. Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is cirucmscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in redding-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Undulating lanes, colorful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner and interesting experience.

Accommodation

Gajner Palace | Karni Bhawan Palace | Maan Bilas Hotel

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Places to Visit

Gardens and Parks: Ganga Public Park with a Zoo, Ratan Bihari Temple Park and Tessitory Park are some of the lovely parks in the city. Surely worth a visit.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum: It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collections of terra-cotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins. The exhibits are splendid masterpieces of Harappan civilization, Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time.

Lal Garh Palace: The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, the palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work. Sprawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks make it a not-to-be missed visual treat. Part of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known as Shri Sadul Museum. The museum covers the entire first floor of the palace and houses well preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife.

Excursions

Bhandasar Jain Temple (5 km): Beautiful 16th century A.D. Jain Temple dedicated to the 23rd Trithankara,Parsavanathji.

Camel Research Farm (8 km): Spend a day with the indispensable ship of the desert at their camel research and breeding centre on of its kind in Asia.

Timings 15.00 hr. to 17.00 hr.(closed on Sunday And Government holidays).Photography prohibited.The farm extends over 2000 acres of semi arid land and is managed by the Central Government. The Camel Corps of Bikaner were a famous fighting force during the ‘Raj’ and are still an important part of the desert warfare and defence through the Border Security Force(BSF).

Devi Kund (8 km):  A royal crematorium with several ornamented cenotaphs or 'chhartis’ built in the memory of the Bika dynasty rulers. Maharaja Suraj Singh’s chhatri is the most impressive of all, created entirely in white marble with spectacular Rajput painting on the ceiling.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary (32 km): The lush foliage of woods on the Jaisalmer road are a haven to nilgai, chinkara, black buck, wild boar and flocks of imperial sand grouse. The Gajner Palace, a summer retreat of the kings, stands on the bank of the lake and has been converted into a hotel. Entry fee into the palace area Rs. 100/- per head.

Shiv Bari Temple(6 km):  Built by Doongar Singhji in the late 19th century.The temple is surrounded by an embattlement wall. It has beautiful painting and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam.

Deshnok’s Karni Mata Temple (30 km):   The famous 600 years old temple on the Jodhpur road dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple has huge intricately carved silver gates which were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

The most interesting thing about the temple are the rats who scamper freely within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. They are regarded as sacred and are fed by priests and devotees owing to the belief that they will be reincarnated as holy men.

Kolayatji (50 km): A famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni (saint). The temple is the venue for an annual fair held in the month of Kartik (Oct.-Nov.) when thousands of devotees gather in large number to take a sacred dip in the holy waters of the Kolayat lake on the full moon day. A cattle fair, especially for the trading of camels is a part of the festivities. The small oasis town is now an idyllic picnic spot.

Kalibangan (205 km): The extensive remains of the pre-Harappan and Harappan civilizations, found at this place in the Hanumangarh district, are of immense interest to archaeology enthusiasts.

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