Bikaner Information

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Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world.The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides doing transportation duties, also works on wells.

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.

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.

The Legacy of the Past
Bikaner takes its name from the prodigious Rao Bikaji, who boldly fought desert clans for 30 years to carve out the kingdom in 1486. Bikaji was the son of the Rathod Raja of Marwar (Jodhpur) Rao Jodha. The son fell out with the father -- when he was questioned before a darbar about his expansionist dreams and lead his own team of horsemen further north, to victoriously set up Bikaner.

Climate
Being a desertscape, the summers are very hot in Bikaner. It is situated on a slightly higher altitude and has an arid climate most of the year. The best time to visit this place is in winters when the weather remains cool and tolerable

Getting There

By Air
Nearest airport is Jodhpur 250 Km.

By Rail
Bikaner is well connected with Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhatinda, Kalka, Haridwar, Kolkata, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
By Roads
Bikaner is connected by good motorable roads to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Agra.

Accomodation
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.

Heritage Hotels at Bikaner
Gajner Palace
Lalgarh Palace
Bhanwar Niwas Palace
Karni Bhawan Palace
Bhairon Vilas

The Myriad Attraction of Bikaner
Bikaner offers several attractions to the tourists besides 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.

Lalgarh Palace
The sturdy Lalgarh Palace presents a breathtaking example of the fusion of Oriental and European architectural styles. Built of red sandstone, the palace enjoys a distinct identity for its intricate filigree work and latticework. The Shri Sadul Museum, located within the premises, displays collection of ancient artifacts including well-preserved manuscripts, gold & silver plaques and parchments

Karni Devi Temple
Karni Devi Temple lies 26 kms south east of Bikaner is considered an incarnation of Goddess Durga. According to legend, she is considered to have performed several miracles. Her devotees had lost their son & prayed to the Devi to revive him. The goddess reached the kingdom of Yama and asked for the boy's soul. When Yama replied that the boy' soul had already been reincarnated, Karni Devi vowed that souls of the members of the Charan clan (a caste of bards) would remain within the body of rats until they can be reborn within the clan & thus the temple provides sanctuary to rats. The rats scamper freely round the temple & devotees feed them. The temple is finely sculpted and has massive intricately carved silver gates which were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

The Camel Breeding Farm
Bikaner houses, the only of its kind, breeding farm for the camel, an inseparable part of life in the desert. The farm offers a great opportunity to get familiar with this seemingly arrogant species. Sunset at the farm amongst hundreds of camels is a memorable experience.

Bhandeshwar Jain Temples
Bhandeshwar Jain Temples (5 km) Beautiful 16th century Jain temples, dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanathji. Other important temples of Bikaner include the Lakshminathji, Ratan Bihariji, Shiv Bari, and Nagnechiji temple. The Bhaironji Temple at Kodamdesar, about 40 kms from Bikaner, is another noteworthy temple.

Devi Kund (8 kms from Bikaner)
The royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs (Chhatris). Each Chhatri is dedicated to the memory of rulers of Bikaji dynasty and is situated on the exact place where they were cremated. The Chhatri of Maharaj Surat Singh is a fine example of architecture. The ceilings of the Chhatris displays some delicate Rajput paintings.

Excursions

Kolayatji (50 km):
A sacred spot, dedicated to Kapil Muni. The temple here is the venue for a fair in the month of Kartik (Oct.- Nov.), attracting thousands of pilgrims. Kolayat is an idyllic picnic spot as well.

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.

Gajner Wild Life Sanctuary
Gajner wild life sanctuary is situated 32kms from Bikaner on Jaisalmer road. The lush foliage of the woods here have a number of neelgais(blue bull), waterfowls, chinkara (black buck), particularly flocks of imperial sandgrouse and wild boar living here.It is considered as the prettiest place in the region, with a lake, a palace, wooded hills and gardens. The lake at Gajner attracts water birds in thousands, the imperial sand grouse from Siberia being the most important of these. Large herds of deers can be seen here grazing freely. It was developed into a shooting ground for the royalty. Hunting, as a rule, was a sport limited only to the feudal chiefs and the Maharajas. Major game was hunted only during the period of British Raj . The palace, built by Maharaja Ganga Singhji, served as resort. There was invitation to the annual sandgrouse shoot in Bikaner that no one dared miss: it simply belonged on the top of the heap in society, so designed by Maharaja Ganga Singh at this hunting lodge. Royalty, both Indian as well as international, Viceroys and other dignitaries have been entertained here. The part of palace has now been transformed into a heritage hotel.

Deshnoke, (32 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.

Festivals of Bikaner

Camel Festival January
Held every year on the full moon night, the festival is dedicated to the indispensable ship of the desert, the camel and is a fascinating spectacle of camel performances including; camel races, camel dances and camel rides, along with the joy, colour and vigour unique to Rajasthan, makes this a joyous event that shouldn’t be missed.

Gangaur Fair March/April
Gangaur Fair is festival of maidens and married women. Women attired in their best costumes and jewellery ray to Gauri, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. This eighteen day long festival begins the day after Holi. Married women pray for the well being and long life of their husband and the young ladies seek the blessings for a life partner of their choice. Processions of Gauri, are enacted with much pomp in Bikaner and other Rajasthan towns and villages. Women sing melodious folk songs, accompanied by musicians and bands.

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

Kapil Muni Fair
The largest fair of Bikaner district Kapil Muni Fair is 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. Kolayat is situated in an arid area. There is a lake with 52 ghats shaded by Banyan trees around the lake. A temple dedicated to Kapil Muni is situated on the Kapil Muni Ghat and it has a marble statue of the saint.

A large number of people come to Kolayat to redeem themselves by taking holy dips in the Kolayat Lake throughout the year, but it is considered very auspicious to take a dip on Kartik Purnima. The lakeside is dotted with temples. Ghats named after these temples allow privacy to the pilgrims, with some ghats meant only for women. Visiting Kolayat has been considered to be a 'tirtha' or pilgrimage of great importance and it is believed that one day's stay at Kolayat benefits as much as 10 years spent at any other sacred place. The legendary Maharishi Kapil and the Kapilayatan Lake find mention in the Puranas and Kapil Muni is believed to have descended from Lord Brahma.