Bikaner: Where History, Culture, and Camels Collide

Bikaner, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan, is a desert oasis steeped in history and culture. The city's most iconic attraction is the Junagarh Fort, a majestic architectural wonder that stands as a symbol of Bikaner's royal legacy. With its intricate carvings, grand courtyards, and stunning palaces, the fort offers a glimpse into the opulence of the past.

Beyond the fort, Bikaner boasts a vibrant traditional arts and crafts scene, known for its intricately crafted items like lacquer bangles, textiles, and camel leather products. The city's vibrant markets, including the famous Kote Gate, are a paradise for shoppers and a testament to Bikaner's rich artistic heritage.

The city is also renowned for its culinary delights, with spicy snacks like bhujia and rasgulla, alongside mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine. Bikaner is a hub for camel breeding and a visit to the National Research Centre on Camel provides an educational experience about these hardy desert creatures.

Tourist Places in Bikaner

Bhandasar Jain Temples

In the heart of the enchanting city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, lies a hidden gem that reflects the opulent architecture and spiritual richness of India. The Bhandasar Jain Temples, a cluster of intricately crafted marble temples, stand as a testament to the devotion and artistic excellence of the Jain community. In the heart of the enchanting city of Bikaner, Rajasthan, lies a hidden gem that reflects the opulent architecture and spiritual richness of India. The Bhandasar Jain Temples, a cluster of intricately crafted marble temples, stand as a testament to the devotion and artistic excellence of the Jain community.

Camel Breeding farm

It is a farm engaged in research on camels. It is located about 8 km from Bikaner. This is one of its kind institutes in India. The farm is complex with cables stables and enclosures and buildings. One can enjoy a camel ride or ice cream made of camel milk. The farm permits tourists at certain hours of the day. It is interesting to watch camel calves gamboling around and also camels returning from a day out in the desert. It is also known as Camel Breeding Farm and was established in 1984 by the central government.

Deshnok Karni Mata Temple

Deshnok is a small village situated 32 km south of Bikaner city along the Jodhpur Road. It is a pilgrim center of Karni Mata – said to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga-who lived here in the 14th century and performed many miracles. The temple here is famous for the approximately 20,000 Black Rats that live, and are revered in, the temple. Out of all of the thousands of rats in the temple, there are a few white rats, which are considered to be especially holy. Sighting them is a special blessing and visitors put in extensive efforts to bring them forth, offering prasad, sweet holy food.

Devi Kund

Government Museum

Initially, the museum was established in a red sandstone building near the Lallgarh Palace by Maharaja Ganga Singhji to celebrate his golden jubilee reign in Bikaner. Later Maharaja Karni Singhji constructed a larger building and the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum was shifted to it in the year 1954. The collection includes 71 stone sculptures, 10 inscriptions, 192 miniature paintings, 124 terracotta's, 27 metallic objects, 574 arms, 22241 coins, and 1108 objects of local art, craft, and textiles.

Junagarh Fort

It is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built-in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan which is not built on a hilltop. The modern city of Bikaner has developed around the fort. The main entrance to the fort is Karan Pol [gate] that is east facing. Next to it is the Suraj Pol meaning the Sun gate? The fort situates in it some very magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure.

Prachina Fort

It's a museum located in the great Junagarh Fort. The museum is dedicated to royal costumes, textiles, and accessories. 'Poshaks' or the ladies' ensemble displayed are perhaps the last remnants of the traditional designing styles and workmanship. The museum also reveals a study of changing cultural settings in its display of family portraits of the former rulers. Changes inspired by western influences appear strikingly. The vivid glimpses of the legacy that survived in contemporary Bikaner are also visible.

Sadul Museum

Part of the Lallgarh Palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known as Shri Sadul Museum. This museum was donated by His highness Maharaja Dr. Karni Singh Ji to Maharaja Sri Ganga Singhji Trust Bikaner. Princess Rajyashree Kumari, chairperson of the trust played a very important role in the establishment of this museum in 1972. The museum covers the entire first floor of the palace and contains well preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife.