BIKANER - the camel county

Bikaner formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District. Bikaner the fourth largest city in Rajasthan was founded by Rao Bika and Jats. The imposing palaces, beautiful and richly sculptured temples of red and yellow sand stones display some of the finest creations of Rajput civilization.

Bikaner retains the medieval splendour that pervades the city's lifestyle. More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. Bikaner stands on a slightly 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. Bikaner is also famous for sweets and snacks (namkeens).

How to Reach Bikaner?

By Air
Nearest airport is Jodhpur, which is at a distance of 235 km from Bikaner.

By Rail
Bikaner is connected with major cities in Rajasthan and New Delhi. The major trains are Kalka Express (Bikaner-Jodhpur), Bikaner Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner), Chetak Express (Delhi-Sarai Rohila - Bikaner) and Bikaner Mail (Delhi Sarai Rohila-Bikaner)

By Road
Bikaner is connected by road with the major cities of Rajasthan and New Delhi. From Jodhpur it takes about 4.5 hours and from Jaipur it takes about 6.5 hrs by road.
 

Distances from Bikaner

Bikaner to Jaipur - 379 km                  Bikaner to Jaisalmer - 333 km

Bikaner to Delhi - 437 km                    Bikaner to Jodhpur - 249 km

Bikaner to Pushkar - 251 km                Bikaner to Ajmer - 278 km

Bikaner to Chandigarh - 591 km            Bikaner to Ahmedabad - 702 km

Sightseeing  in Bikaner

Junagarh Fort - The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner who reigned from 1571 to 1612. Rai Singh had conquered part of Marwar and had been granted territory in Gujurat and Burhanpur by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a reward for his services as military commander. The fort also  has a museum which displays weapons, ornaments of the bygone era.

The Laxmi Niwas Palace - Laxmi Niwas Palace designed by the British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in the year 1902 is a former residential palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Maharajah Ganga Singh.  The magnificent structure in red sandstone has now been converted into a luxury resort.

Lalgarh Palce - Lalgarh Palace coated in red sandstone was built between 1902 and 1926 according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The building was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh and was designed by the British architect, Sir Swinton Jacob. It is coated in red sandstone and has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. The building features magnificent pillars, elaborate fireplaces, Italian colonnades and intricate latticework and filigree work. Though the Bikaner Royal Family still live in the palace, part of the building has been converted into a Heritage hotel operated by the Royal family of Bikaner.

Bhandasar Jain Temple - Out of the 27 beautiful Jain Temples adorning the landscape of Bikaner city, this temple dedicated to 5th Tirthankar Lord Sumatinath is considered to be the most beautiful. This temple was built by a Jain merchant Bhanda Shah.

Shivbari Temple - Shivbari temple is a centuries old shiva temple. It has two huge "Bawris" (water reservoirs).

Laxmi Nath Temple - Laxmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bikaner. The foundation of the city was laid here in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. The temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and was added to by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

Gajner Palace - Gajner near Bikaner is an incomparable jewel in the Thar Desert is built on the embankment of a lake built by  Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, this Grand Heritage property is spread over 6000 acres. Gajner Palace was used as a hunting resort by the former Maharajas and visiting British dignitaries during the days of the Raj.

Shiv Bari Temple - Built from red sandstone by Dungar Singh in the late 19th century, the temple is surrounded by a wall with battlements. It has a four faced black marble statue of Shiva and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam. There are also two large reservoirs of water known as bawaris. The temple attracts thousands of visitors during Shravan (August).

Kolayat - Kolayat is a famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapila who, according to his devotees, sat in meditation near the lake.

Moolnayakji - Constructed in 1486, Moolnayakji was the first Vaishnav Temple built in Bikaner. It was the principal seat of the Vaishanv sect.  The presiding deity is Lord Moolnayak Krishna.

Camel Breeding Farm - It's a complex of buildings and camel stables and enclosures for camel research. You're free to walk around at your leisure and check out the camels.The main attraction of coming to this farm is to see the camels returning from a day out in the desert. They start their return at around 4:00, so make sure to go around this time.

Karni Mata Temple - The famous shrine of Karni Mata (also known as a rat temple) is located 30 km south of Bikaner in the town of Deshnoke. Karni Mata is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple is famous for rats which can be seen everywhere in the temple.

Rajasthan Holiday Packages

Royal Rajasthan (14 days)	Forts and Palaces tour (21 days)
Rajasthan with Golden triangle (16 days)	Rajasthan Cultural Tours (16 days)
Pushkar Fair Tours (19 days)	Rural Rajasthan Tour (12 days)