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Bikaner City Guide 
Bikaner, situated in the northern part of Rajasthan, was founded in 1488
by a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur named Rao Bhikaji. Like Jaisalmer,
this town was an important city on the great caravan trade route during
the medieval period. The city is surrounded by high fortifications comprising
a seven-kilometre long wall which encircles the old city and has five entrances—all
constructed in the 18th century.The city of Bikaner has seen several ups
and downs in its eventful history.
Its proximity to Delhi made it bear the brunt of Mughal invasions time and
again. Legend has it that before embarking on his campaign, Rao Bhikaji
sought the blessings of mystic Goddess Karni at Deshnoke. Since then the
Karni Mata temple in Deshnoke continued to be patronized by the ruling family.
Today hundreds of pilgrims flock the temple everyday to invoke the blessings
of the Goddess, who is revered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Bikaner
is also called the camel country, being renowned for the best riding camels
in the world. It is also the birthplace of the world famous Bikaneri bhujia
and namkeen (a salted snack made of lentils). Being a desertscape, the summers
are very hot in Bikaner. The best time to visit this place is in winters
when the weather remains cool and tolerable.
Sightseeing in Bikaner
Junagarh Fort in Bikaner
lies to the northeast of the walled old city of Bikaner. Raja Rai Singh,
a general in Akbar’s army built the fort in 1593 for the Mughal Army,
and its most unusual feature is that this fort was built at ground level
and not on high ground. Interestingly, it is one of the few forts in India
that was never conquered - maybe its inconspicuousness proved to be it's
best defence!
Suraj Pol or Sun Gate, Bikaner
Suraj Pol or Sun Gate is the main entrance to the Junagarh Fort. The fort
is encircled by a moat that protects the splendid complex of thirty-seven
palaces, pavilions and temples added by different rulers, the last one,
as recently as 1943. Their lavishly adorned interiors are much better preserved
than those in any other palace in the region.
Lal Garh Palace Bikaner
Lal Garh Palace is an architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, typical
of the area. This palace was built by the greatest of Bikaner kings, Maharaja
Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has
beautiful latticework and filigree work in sandstone that closely resembles
lacy confections in its intricacy. Well laid out gardens, sprawling lawns
on which peacocks dance and play amidst a riot of colourful bougainvillea
make it a delight for the eyes. Part of the palace has been converted into
a luxury hotel and a museum.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Bikaner
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum is the best amongst the many royal museums in
Rajasthan. Its reputation has been enhanced by its rare collection of terra-cotta
ware, weapons, miniature paintings from the Bikaner School and coins. Most
of the exhibits are masterpieces of Harappan civilization obtained from
the archaelogical excavations in the vicinity, as well as some from the
Gupta and Kushan periods.
Karni Devi Temple in Bikaner
The temple of Karni Devi is the most important one in Bikaner as it is dedicated
to the family deity of the royal house of Bikaner. The Bhandeshwar and Sandeshwar
Jain Temples are dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parsavnathji. Built
in the 16th century by two brothers whose names they bear, these temples
are remarkable for their colourful murals and the prolific use of gold leaf
and mirrors, a rare feature in the Jain temples of Rajasthan.
Excursions of Bikaner
The excursions around Bikaner, besides giving a glimpse into the region’s
culture and history, also provide an insight into the rich flora and fauna.
The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary (32 km from Bikaner) is home to a number of
wild species including the nilgai, wild boar, chinkara and flocks of imperial
sand grouse that migrate here every winter. Eight kilometres east of Bikaner
lies Devi Kund where you can see some ornamented cenotaphs or chhatris.
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