INFORMATION ABOUT BIKANER

Bikaner, situated in the northern part of Rajasthan, was founded in 1488 by a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur named Rao Bhikaji. Bikaner was an important city on the great caravan trade route during the medieval period. The city is surrounded by high fortifications comprising a seven-kilometre long wall which encircles the old city and has five entrances-all constructed in the 18th century.

Bikaner offers several attractions to the tourists besides, of course, the exotic camel safaris. You can visit the majestic forts or go to the Mata Karni temple where rats are considered sacred and worshipped. The camel festival held in the month of January is also an event worth witnessing. Some of the major attractions around the city are Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Camel Breeding Farm, Gajner Palace, Deshnoke Temple and Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum.

BIKANER HISTORY

Bikaner (princely state) was founded in the 15th century and persisted until shortly after India's Independence in 1947. Earlier this region was known as Jangladesh which was a region of northern Rajasthan state in India. It included the present-day districts of Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh.

A major center of trade in the 16th century on the ancient silk route, Bikaner has retained its medieval aura. Unlike most other cities of Rajasthan, outside influences are minimal here and the traditional life-style endures.

BIKANER TOURISM

The Places of Interest and Sight Seeing



In Bikaner



• Junagarh fort was built by a Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, in 1593. The courtyard of the fort along with the balcony, kiosks and windows are perfect examples of the artisanship of that time. The beautiful cutworks and dots on the red stones and the marbles are fascinating. The various parts of the palace-the Dewan-iI-khas, the Phool Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal-reflect the glorious architecture of Bikaner.
  
  

• Lalgarh Palace, built by Maharaja Ganaga Singh in memory of his father, is situated 3 km north of Bikaner city. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation as part of their tourism promotion program has converted some portions of the palace to tourist hotels. Other parts of the palace have been converted into a museum named as the Sadul Museum to preserve the glory of the yesteryears of Rajasthan in general and Bikaner in particular.
  
  

• Laxminath Temple - Lakshminath was the patron god of the Bikaner rulers. The temple was built in the 16th century and regularly attracted royal processions during major religious festivals.
  
  

• The Bhandasar Jain Temple, dedicated to the 23rd Jain tirthankara, is also a place worth visiting.
  
  

• Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum is one of the best museums of Rajasthan with some fabulous collection of antiques and artilleries.
  
  

• Raj Ratan Bihariand Rasik Siromani Temple
  
  

• Rajasthan State Archives
  
  

• Havelis
  
  

• Kodamdesar Bhairav
  
  

• Punrasar Temple
  
  

• Baldeo Plaza
  
  
  
  Near Bikaner
  
  

• Shiv Bari Temple, just 6 km away from the main city, is a well-curved and neatly worked out temple. It has a bronze Nandi statue and a Shiva lingam.
  
  

• The Camel Research Farm carries out breeding and training of camels-the only fighting force and medium of transportation in the past.
  
  

• Devi Kund Sagar eight kilometres form Bikaner, this is the place which contains chatris (cenotaphs) of the Bika rulers.
  
  

• The temple of Mata Karni and Goddess Durga is a must-visit place to experience the rare sight of rats being worshiped in thousands of numbers.
  
  

• The Gajanir Palace and the wildlife sanctuary, 32 km from the main city, is also a place worth visiting. A large number of wild species are available like the nilgai, wild boar, chinkara, etc. This place was the summer resort of the former kings.
  
  

• Kalibangan is an archeological site containing remains of the pre-Harappan and Harappan civilizations. This is a much-recommended site for historians and others who want to gain an insight of India's rich heritage.
  
  

  If you are visiting Bikaner, You can enjoy Luxury Camel Safari too. You can find various Safari treks around Bikaner.
  
  

  FAIRS & FESTIVALS

• Karni Mata fair
  
  

• Gangaur
  
  

• Kapil Muni fair
  
  

• Camel festival: each January the state government organises a camel festival with camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidh people.
  
  

  ACCOMODATION/STAY OPTIONS IN BIKANER

  • GAJNER PALACE HOTEL
  • HOTEL LALLGARH PALACE
  
  
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