The city of Bikaner is if anything is a 'timeless jewel' on the northern tip of the famous 'triangle of the desert cities'. Visible from miles away, this fortified desert city evokes sheer magical brilliance in its every form. Whether it's the imposing fort or magnificent palaces, colorful bazaars or enchanting sand dunes, Bikaner offers you a true desert experience.
Bikaner was founded in 1486 by Rao Bikaji. It is situated in north-west of Rajasthan, northern India. Bikaner is one of the three main destinations in as is situated in the middle of the Thar desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer, temperatures exceed 50 °C and during the winter it dips to freezing point.
Bikaner is famous for sweets and spicy Bikaner Bhujia made from moth dal, spices. Also well-known for its handicrafts and leather-works, palaces & forts. Bikaner is also have Asia’s biggest camel farm.
Fairs & Festivals:
Karni Mata Fair:
Karni Mata fair is held twice in a year in yhe months of March-April and September-October again, at the shrine of Karni Mata in Deshnok, is a small town near Nokha in Bikaner district. As the name suggests, Karni Mata Fair is dedicated to Karni mata, a female sage who is worshipped as an incarnation of the goddess of Lord Durga by her followers. Karni Mata is deity of Bikaner’s royal family.
The most renowned temple of Karni Mata is at Deshnok and this temple is well-known for its rats, where they are treated as sacred.
It is a custom among the Rajputs to bring their children to the temple for their first hair cut. The cut hairs of the children are placed at Mata's feet for her blessing.
Gangaur Festival:
Gangaur Festival is dedicated to goddess Gauri or Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva during July-Aug. Gangaur festival is colourful and one of the most important festivals of Rajasthan. It is also celebration of monsoon, harvest and martial fidelity in Jaipur.
The unmarried women worship goddess Gauri for being blessed good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health and long life of their husbands and happy married life.
This spring festival is celebrated with great passion and enthusiasm all over Rajasthan.
The various places in Rajasthan where Gangaur Festival is celebrated are:
Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nathdwara, Udaipur and Banswara.
Kapil Muni Fair:
The Kapil Muni Fair is the largest fair of Bikaner. It is held on Kartik purnima at Kolayat. The Kapil Muni ghat is one of the 52 ghats of the Kolayat Lake and has a temple devoted to the sage Kapil who is said to have meditated at this place for the rescue of the humans. A large number of people come to Kolayat to redeem them by taking holy dips in the Kolayat lake throughout the year, but it is considered very auspicious to take a dip on Kartik Poornima.
This temple has a marble statue of Kapil Muni. It is regarded as a great pilgrimage place and one day visit here holds as much importance as spending 10 years at any other holy place.
A cattle fair is organized at the time of the Kapil Muni fair. The main animals traded during this fair are buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle.
Camel Festival:
Camel Festival is held every year in the month of January and is organized by Rajasthan State Government. Camel Festival is the only festival when the ships of the desert are seen at their best.
The Camel Festival begins with a colorful procession of decorated camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. Camels fascinate tourists from all over the world with their actions, charm and grace. A manifestation of unusual camel performances: camel races, camel dances, and the bumpy, neck shaking camel rides.
The camel dance is something that enthralls all visitors who come to Camel Festival. The trainers train their camels very skillfully and they present a very fine harmonization of footwork. This is one event that leaves everyone almost breathless and speechless. To see camels dancing together to drumbeats and music is truly an awe-inspiring incident. The dancing shadows of the camels on the golden sands of the desert against the setting sun are truly a picture perfect moment.
Tourist Attractions in Bikaner and nearby:
Junagarh Fort:
Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, who was the sixth ruler of Bikaner from 1571 to 1612.
Karan Pol (gate) is the main entrance to the fort. Next to it is the Suraj Pol meaning the sun gate. The fort situates in it some very splendid palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure. The Har Mandir is the royal chapel for the royal family for worshipping their gods and goddesses. These palaces, constructed in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. The premises also houses a museum which is an array of a rich collection.
Laxmi Niwas Palace:
Laxmi Niwas Palace, earlier was the residential palace of Maharaja Gangi Singh, kinf of Bikaner. It was designed in the year 1902 by British architect Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.
The Laxmi Niwas Palace, located within Lallgarh palace complex of Bikaner, is the most ideal modern building in the Indo-Saracenic style in India - an completely elegant pile of carved red sandstone, graciously proportioned and harmonizing entirely with its environment.
Laxmi Niwas Palace is now a luxury hotel. The majority of the rooms are bejeweled lavishly using gold wall paintings and have painted or carved wood ceilings. These rooms have now been refurnished keeping in mind their original decor.
Lalgarh Palace:
Lalgarh Palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, once the ruler of Bikaner in the memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh. It was designed by British architect, Sir Swinton Jacob. It is built with a exceptional mingle of Rajput, Mughal and European architecture on the outside. The interiors, however, reflect an oriental touch. The palace has beautifully terraced lawns and also houses a museum and a library.
Moolnayakji:
Moolnayakji was th first Vaishno temple built in Bikaner in 1486. The presiding god is Lord Moolnayak Krishna.
Laxmi Nath Temple:
Laxmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temple of Bikaner. The foundation of the Bikaner city was laid by Rao Bikaji at the very location of the Laxmi Nath Temple.
The foundation of the Laxmi Nath Temple was laid by Rao Lunkaran and it was further extended under the instructions of Maharaja Ganga Singh.
The Laxmi Nath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his wife goddess Laxmi.
The Laxmi Nath Temple is one of the most beautiful of the Bikaner temples and displays the fantastic artwork of the conventional artisans and sculptors.
How to reach Bikaner:
By Air:
The nearest airport is Jodhpur 235km.
By Rail:
Bikaner is connected to all major cities via railway like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhatinda, kalka and Howarh (Culcutta), Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Jammu, Ahmedabad, etc.
Some important train connection are :
Kalka Express (Bikaner-Jodhpur);
Bikaner Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner),
Chetak Express (Delhi-Sarai Rohila)
Bikaner Mail (Delhi Sarai Rohila-Bikaner)
By Road:
Bikaner is well served with roads and is linked directly to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Ludhiana, Ahmedabad, Haridwar, Jodhpur, Nagaur and many other cities.
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