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Bikaner City Travel Guide
Bikaner City Travel Guide
Location : Rajasthan
Founded By : Rao Bikaji
Tourist Attractions : Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace
Best Time To Visit :October To March
Bikaner, the Royal walled city with timeless appeal is a part of the desert tourist triangle and lies on the northern tip of the triangle. The history of Bikaner 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 to an impressive city, called Bikaner after the founder’s name.
Bikaner is popularly known as the camel country and is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. One can witness gaily caparisoned camels at the spectacular camel Festival at Bikaner, held annually. 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. This city is especially famous for its school of miniature paintings which are an admixture of the Rajput and Mughal styles. This city is also famous for its minakari on camel hide, and golden minakari in the palaces of Bikaner. The wells of Bikaner: an important source of water is other attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minaret towers on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Prime Attractions
Forts and Palaces
Junagarh Fort : One of the most imposing forts of northern India, Junagarh Fort was built in the 15th century bu one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh. The palaces worth visiting are Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal and Karan Mahal. The palaces, exquisitely built in red sandstone and marble are ornate with mirror work, carvings and paintings. An array of kiosks and balconies embellish the fort at intervals, breaking the monotony. A museum with valuable miniature paintings and rare antiques is also located in the Junagarh Fort.
LalgadhPalace: Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, this palace displays a magnificient blend of Oriental and European style. The palace has a billiards room, a library, a cards room and a smoking room. Belgian chandeliers, cut – glass ornaments, oil paintings and lamps add to its charm.
Museums
The GangaGoldenJubileeMuseum: This is a small museum but has a large collection of pre-Harappan, Gupta and Kushan pottery. The rich collection of pottery, carpets, paintings, armoury and coins make this museum one of the best in Rajasthan. The Bikaneri miniatures, which are displayed in a sepetrate section for local arts, makes visit to the museum a must.
Excurions - Temples
Bhandeshwar & Sandeshwar Temples: Five kms from the city, these temples are the oldest surviving monuments of aesthetic heritage. These were built by two brothers and the temples carry their names. The mirror work and the gold leaf paintings in the temple are noteworthy. The temples are dedicated to 23rd Jain teerthankar, Parsvanathji.
Others
Camel Breeding Farms: Camel Breeding Farm is the only of its kind in Asia. Take a ride on one or watch the calves gambolling, or submit to a Raika or a Rebari from traditional camel breeder, over a cup of camel's milk at the camel breeding farms just eight kms away from the city.
Devi Kund: This is the royal crematorium with a number of cenotaphs. The 'chhatri' of Maharaja Surat Singh is most imposing. One cannot miss the spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceilings. 8 kms from Bikaner.
How to Reach There
Air : The nearest airport is Jodhpur 240 kms.
Rail : The Indian Railways connects Bikaner with cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Agra, Jaipur, Allahabad etc. The gorgeous 'Palace on wheels' also covers Bikaner in its eight-day tour of Rajasthan.
Road : Though the unfriendly desert sands surround Bikaner but the city is well connected by roads. There are local and inter-state bus services for Bikaner.
Rajasthan
Tour Itinerary
