Bikaner Tripadvisor

The sprawling desert city of Bikaner is a 15th century royal city. The city stores a few attractive legacies of the royal period. The attractions include huge forts, revered temples and colourful camel safaris of the place. Bikaner is encircled by a 7 km long wall having 5 entrances. The city was founded in the year 1488 by a descendant of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur. Tourists also get a chance to see the desert sand dunes on the outskirts. Bikaner is also famous for its traditional handicrafts. It can be said that in Bikaner, a glimpse of entire Rajasthan is available.

Bikaner Tour Attractions Camel Research and Breeding Farm :
On the outskirts of Bikaner is the Camel Research and Breeding Farm, the only of its kind in Asia. Advanced research on camels takes place in the farm. This farm has been credited for eradicating many camel diseases and also increasing the population of the species. The Farm also imparts training to camels. It is said that the Farm is crucial for Rajasthan's economy.

Bikaner Temples :
There are a few small but attractive temples in Bikaner. The Bhandeshwar and Sandeshwar Jain Temples are known for colourful murals, gold leafs and mirrors. The temples are dedicated to 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parsavnathji. Some 60 kms from Bikaner is the ancient temple of Karni Devi. It is interesting to see hundreds of brown rats inside the temple premises. The rats are regarded as very auspicious and devotees offer food to them.

Forts in Bikaner Junagarh Fort :
The sprawling desert city of Bikaner is located in the north west of Rajasthan. The city was founded by a descendant of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur. The city is encircled by a 7 km long wall having 5 entrances. A city where the royals lived in the past, Bikaner has attractive forts and palaces. One of them is Junagarh fort, ranking among the most attractive fort complexes built during medieval period.

Junagarh Fort is a rare example of a medieval period monument whose beauty and grandeur remains intact due to some great preservation efforts. A look at the exquisitely carved walls of Junagarh gives the impression that the fort has been built only a few days back. This magnificent fort was built in the year 1588 A.D by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most trusted generals of Emperor Akbar. Another striking feature of Junagarh fort is that it has been built on lower grounds. It may be mentioned that forts are generally built on higher plains to enhance their defensive characteristics. In spite of that, Junagarh fort could never be conquered. As many as 37 bastions guard the fort and access inside the fort is provided by only two gates. Suraj Pol or Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. The fort consists of attractive palaces, courtyards, pavilions and balconies.

Palaces in Bikaner
Lalgarh-palace:
Almost all over its landscape, Rajasthan is dispersed with countless garrisons and castles that are a stark reminder of the legendary and valiant past of the land. Every city and town of the state is unique, known for something different, as a result, the land emerges as a heart stirring assortment of architectural wonders that are constantly thronged by tourists from every nook and crevice of the world.
The Lalgarh Palace, located in Bikaner, is a masterpiece in burnished sandstone. Erected by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji in the year1902, the grand architectural marvel ropes in a great number of tourists from all across the globe. The palace stands in remembrance of the Maharaja's father, Maharaja Lal Singh Ji.
Sir Swinton Jacob, a famed British architect, takes the credit of creating such a fanciful design. The architecture of the palace is a wonderful amalgam of Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The exterior and the interior of the palace contrast considerably in terms of architecture. Beautiful lattice and filigree work can be observed here in the palace.

What To Do

Shopping in Bikaner:
Bikaner is a place famous for woolen carpets. The best carpets are the ones where Bikaner wool is blended with New Zealand wool. Camel and sheep wool are also extensively used for making carpets. Bandhani, the tie and dye textiles of Bikaner date back to 18th century. They are also very popular among tourists. Kundan, the enameled form of jewellery is another shopping attraction of Bikaner. The gifted artisans of Bikaner also make beautiful miniaturised paintings and woodcarving work.