Bikaner - Rajasthan

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Bikaner is located in the northwestern region of Rajasthan. This desert town with sand dunes still retains its old aged charm. A tour to Bikaner is characterized with camel riding. For adventure travelers, Bikaner tour offers a great adventure on desert with camels and horses. Bikaner in Rajasthan has one of the world's biggest Camel research and breeding center or farm. Dotted with several majestic forts and monuments, artistic museums and beautiful temples, Bikaner tour ensures to offer pleasant time in thisdesert city. Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Jain Haveli and Bhandeswari are major forts and monuments in Bikaner that narrates the tale of past glory. For artistic buffs, Ganga Singh Museum, Sadul Museum, Prachina Museum and Rajasthan State Archives are few places where you can have an insight into the cultural heritage and history of Bikaner. Shiv Bari Temple, Devi Kund and Deshnok Temple are important places for Hindu pilgrims. For nature lovers, Bikaner tour allows you to havea peek into the wildlife of the region. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is a home to several species of flora and fauna. With several tourist attractions in Bikaner, your tour to Rajasthan will never disappoint you.

Founded in 1486 AD by the Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, hence the name Bikaner, the city is another worth-watching destination in the royal land of Rajasthan. Surrounded by a seven-kilometres wall with five entrances that was built primarily to protect the city from vagaries of the desert and any external aggression, the city has many magnificent buildings.

Bikaner is known for good breed of riding camels, which are among the best in the world. The Camel festival held every year is famous all over the globe. Here you can see many buildings made of Reddish Pink sandstone that transcends the surrounding barren wilderness. Unlike other cities of Rajasthan, Bikaner has been able to retain its conventional aura of the medieval era.

Bikaner 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 splendor 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.

Place must see....

Camel Festival

A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year. January is just the right month for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see the Ships of the Desert.

Fort Museum - Bikaner

Ganga Mahal, the imposing halls added by Maharaja Ganga Singh, now houses the Fort Museum. It contains a fine collection of antique Rajput weaponry, jade handle daggers, camel hide 'dhals' (shields) and inlaid handguns and camel guns. Gold and silver 'howdahs', 'jhulas', 'palkis' and a First World War biplane are on view.

Ganga Golden Jubliee Museum

This small museum 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.

Jambeshwar Fair

The Jambheswar Fair is held in the village Mukam of Tehsil Nokha, Bikaner District, twice a year on Phalgun Budi Amavasya and Ashvin Budi Amavasya, in memory of the founder of the Bishnoi sect Jambheswar ji.

Junagarh Fort

One of the most imposing forts of northern India-- Junagarh Fort-- has remained unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.

Kapil Muni Fair

The Kapil Muni Fair is the largest fair of Bikaner district held on Kartik Purnima at Kolayat -- originally Kapilayatan -- named after the sage Kapil who is believed to have done 'tapasya' (meditation) here for the redemption of mankind.

Karni Mata Fair

Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok, a small town near Nokha in Bikaner district. The first and larger fair is held in March-April during the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The second fair is held in September- October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla Ekam to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.

Lalgadh Palace

Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, this palace displays a magnificent blend of Oriental and European style. The terraced lawns and the Bougainvillea bushes add beauty to the palace. Peacocks stroll around the palace, which has been partly converted into a hotel.

Excursions from Bikaner

Kalibanga(205Km.)

Kalibanga is one of the major excavated sites of the Harappan civilisation. This place houses immense treasure of India's past and is of particular interest to archaeology enthusiasts.

Devi Kund(8Km.)

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.

Gajner Wild Life Sanctuary (32Km.)

32 kms on the Jaisalmer Road is located the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. Wooded hills and lakes surround the lush green forest. One can easily spot a Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck or flocks of Sand Grouse and Wild Boar living in the sanctuary.

Kolayat (54Km.)

54-km from Bikaner, it is a picnic spot.

Leisure - BikanerShopping in Bikaner

A stroll down the King Edward Memorial road and inside Kote Gate will reveal the shopping pleasure in Bikaner. The purses, slippers made from the camel hide are worth a bargain. The camel skin also ends up as cushions and lacquered lampshades. The local carpets and the woodwork are very popular among the tourists. And who can forget the world famous Bikaneri Bhujias and sweets. Wide range of accomodation facilites are available to meet the requirements of tourists. There are Palace hotels like the Bhanwar Niwas, Karni Bhawan, Gajner Palace Hotel. Also, available are the small but cosy comfortable private hotels. The government approved Paying Guest system is very popular among the visitors.

The city comes alive with...

Camel Festival

One can see the 'Ship of the Desert' at its sporting best in this festival. The festival is held in January every year.

Karni Mata fair

Is held twice in a year - April/ May and October/ November-- the fair is celebrated on the ninth day of the Navratri

Staying in Bikaner

Apart from the attractive tourism destinations of the place, the city of Bikaner make every effort to ensure that your stay here is a joyful one even in terms of accommodation. The heritage hotels of Bikaner are known for pampering their guests with royal treatment. The city also provides you with three star, two star hotels as well as budget accommodation. Some of the prominent hotels of Bikaner are Laxmi Niwas Palace, Basant Bihar, Raj Vilas Palace and Harasar Haveli

Shopping in Bikaner

Since Bikaner never fails to surprise you with unique items in its markets, the place may also be referred to as a shopper's paradise. The famous shopping areas of Bikaner are Kote Gate and Junagarh Fort. Some of the popular items of Bikaner are Mojari, Rangi dupatta, Kundan work and wooden antiques among other things

How To Get There - Bikaner

By Air

The nearest airport is Jodhpur 240 kms.

By 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.

By 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.

Places To Stay

Bikaner is counted among one of the major cities of the Rajasthan state and is well equipped with varied hotel options, which include luxurious and budget hotels as well as tourist lodges