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Rajasthan Travel |
"A land of valiance and chivalry,' which is endowed with invincible forts, magnificent palaces, waves of sand dunes."
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| Bikaner Travel |
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Bikaner is yet another exciting tourist destination in Rajasthan. Rao Bhikaji, son of Rao Jodhaji, the founder of Jodhpur, founded the city of Bikaner. Bikaner is known for its historical monuments.
There are a number of tourist attractions in Bikaner that tourists can visit on their Bikaner tour. Bikaner also has a number of good quality hotels that serve as the right base to tourists travelling to Bikaner. |
Juna garh Fort is the most important landmark in Bikaner. The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh in 1593, who was a general in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar. The fort houses a number of beautiful monuments inside, which include red stone and marble palaces. Lalgarh Palace is a treat to watch on your tour to Bikaner. Maharaja Ganga Singh built the palace in memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. An architectural masterpiece in red stone, the palace has beautiful lawns with flowers and other plants adding to the beauty of the palace.
The Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum is another interesting tourist place that should not be missed on your Bikaner tour. The museum houses a large collection of coins, terra-cotta ware, miniature paintings of Bikaner School, weapons of the Rajput era and sculptures.
Besides, there are other places around Bikaner that you can travel to. One of its kinds in Asia, the Camel Research Farm is located about eight kilometres from Bikaner. You can also visit to Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, which is about 32 kilometres from Bikaner. The sanctuary is home to a number of wild animals that include black buck, chinkara, nilgai and wild boar. Shiv Bari Temple is another beautiful site that you can visit on your tour to Bikaner. |
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| Main Attractions in Bikaner |
Camel Festival 24h - 25th January
An enchanting desert city which comes alive with music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances, camel, race camel dance etc. here. |
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Bikaner History
Binaker’s history dates back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji- a desendent 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 trandormerd it to an impressive city, called Bikaner after the founder’ name.
Culture
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. |
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| General Information of Bikaner |
By Air
Nearby airports are Jodhpur (254 kms) and Sanganer airport Jaipur(325 kms).
By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. India Gate) to Bikaner. The roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hrs from Jaipur. You can also come by taxi.
By Train
Several trains link it to important cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Bikaner, Udaipur. |
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Getting around
The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient carvan 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.
Shopping
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. |
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| Places to See in Bikaner |
Junagarh
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful palaces within. These palaces, made in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure.
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. Timings 10.00 hr. to 16.30 hr. Entry fee Rs.5.00(closed on Wednesday).
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. Timings 10.00 hr. to 16.30 hr. Entry fee Rs.3.00(closed on Friday).
The museum has a separate section displaying exclusive arts and crafts of the region.
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 'chhatris’ 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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