Bikaner Tourism
Population : 461,500
Main Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi.
Telephone area code : 0151
Best time to visit: October to March
Bikaner’s history dates back to
1488 A.D., when a Rathore price Rao Bikaii – a descendant of the
founder of Jodhpur (1459 A.D.), Rao Jodhaji, established his kingdom here.
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.
A strategic location of
Bikaner on the
ancient caravan routes that came from West/Central Asia, made it a prime
trade centre in the time of the yore. The city stands on a slighly raised
ground and is circumscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five
gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish
pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural
legacy.
Places of Interest
Junagarh
Built in 1593 A.A by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor
Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has
beautiful palaces within. The Suraj Pol or the Sun gate, is the main entrance
to the fort. Among the most notable of the palaces are the exquisitely
beautiful Chandra Mahal or the Moon palace with marvellous paintings,
mirrors and carved marble and the Phool Mahal or the Flower Place ornate
with glass and mirror work. The Har Mandir is the majestic chapel for
the royal family for worshipping their gods and goddesses.
Lal Garh Palace
The palace was built by Maharaja Gaja Singh in the memory of his father
Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree
work. Part of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a
museum which covers the entire first floor of the place and houses well
preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collections
of terracota ware, weapons, miniature paintings of
Bikaner
school and coins. The exhibits are splendid masterpieces of Harappan civilisation,
Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of later classical times.
Camel research farm
8 kms from
Bikaner is the camel research and breeding
centre – one of its kind in Asia. The farm extends over 2000 acres
of semi arid land.
Deshnoke Karni Mata Temple
30 kms from
Bikaner is the famous 600 year old temple
dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple has
huge intricately carved silver gat
es which were donated by Maharaja Ganga
Singh. The most interesting thing about the temple are the rats who scamper
freely withing the temple. They are regarded as sacred and fed and priest
and devotees owing to the belief that they will be reincarnated as holy
men.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
Nearest airport is Jodhpur (253 kms).
By Train
Well connected by trains from Delhi.
By Road
253 kms from Jodhpur and 321 kms from Jaipur.
