Tourist Attractions in Bikaner , Rajasthan

Area 38.10 sq km
Language Rajasthani, Hindi, and English
Best time to visit November to February
STD Code 0151

One of the wonder cities in the desert of Thar, the beautiful city Bikaner welcomes the tourist from across the world. Bikaner is located in the northern part of Rajasthan a state of India. The city was founded by Rao Bhikaji in 1488. Bikaner was an important city on the great caravan trade route during the medieval period. Tourist can enjoy most exotic camel safari in the deserts of Bikaner. Beside this city offers many other attractions like the grand Junagarh Ford (has a 986-metre-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances), Lalgarh Palace and Gajner Palace the royal buildings with old days charms, a 600 year old temple of Mata Karni Devi, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Shri Sadul Museum and Ford Museum. City also houses world class hotels with all quality services and some of them are Hotel Basant Vihar Palace, Hotel Bhanwar Niwas, Hotel Gajner Palace, Hotel Lallgarh Palace, and Hotel Laxmi Niwas Palace.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Junagarh fort was built by a Mughal army general, Raja Rai Singh, in 1593. The courtyard of the fort along with the balcony, kiosks and windows are perfect examples of the artisanship of that time. The beautiful cutworks and dots on the red stones and the marbles are fascinating. The various parts of the palace-the Dewan-iI-khas, the Phool Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal and Anup Mahal-reflect the glorious architecture of Bikaner.


Lalgarh Palace, built by Maharaja Ganaga Singh in memory of his father, is situated 3 km north of Bikaner city. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation as part of their tourism promotion program has converted some portions of the palace to tourist hotels. Other parts of the palace have been converted into a museum named as the Sadul Museum to preserve the glory of the yesteryears of Rajasthan in general and Bikaner in particular.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum is one of the best museums of Rajasthan with some fabulous collection of antiques and artilleries.

The Bhandasar Jain Temple, dedicated to the 23rd Jain tirthankara, is also a place worth visiting.


The Camel Research Farm carries out breeding and training of camels-the only fighting force and medium of transportation in the past.

PLACES AROUND BIKANER

The temple of Mata Karni and Goddess Durga is a must-visit place to experience the rare sight of rats being worshiped in thousands of numbers.

The Gajanir Palace and the wildlife sanctuary, 32 km from the main city, is also a place worth visiting. A large number of wild species are available like the nilgai, wild boar, chinkara, etc. This place was the summer resort of the former kings.

Shiv Bari Temple, just 6 km away from the main city, is a well-curved and neatly worked out temple. It has a bronze Nandi statue and a Shiva lingam.

Kalibangan is an archeological site containing remains of the pre-Harappan and Harappan civilizations. This is a much-recommended site for historians and others who want to gain an insight of India's rich heritage.

Besides these, there are several places of pilgrimage like Kolayatji, Devikund, etc., which are famous among the people of religious minds.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

To know the local hues and colors of Bikaner, one has to witness the local fairs and festivals.

The Camel Festival, held in the month of January, is the most exciting festival. Competitions related to camels like camel races, milking, dancing, etc., make this festival even more interesting.

Kolayat Festival is the holy festival when the people take a dip in the holy water of the Kolayat Lake. It normally takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month Kartik (November).

Gangaur Festival, dedicated to Goddess Parvati, is an 18-day long spring festival celebrated during the month of April.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR - Bikaner is well connected to the nearby towns and cities of importance. Jodhpur is the nearest airport. The airport is easily accessible by road.

BY RAIL - Bikaner has number of train links to connect it with the major cities of India.

BY ROAD - It is also linked with the big and small cities of India by the national highways and other roadways. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

WHERE TO STAY

Bikaner has a number of hotels and lodges to accommodate its guests. The price range varies noticeably to meet the demand for various levels of tourists.

Most tourists plan daylong trips to Bharatpur. However, there is good accommodation available at the Bharatpur Forest Lodge, Forest Guesthouse and Saras Tourist Bungalow. All the three have multi-cuisine restaurants. Accommodation is also available at the Circuit House, Hotel Golbagh Palace, Shanti Kutir, and the Tourist Lodge near the sanctuary's Mathura gate