Accommodation In A Heritage Property

Bikaner, Rajasthan, India | Overhead Water Tank

Bikaner is a vibrant, dust-swirling desert town with a fabulous fort, a refreshing outpost feel and a burgeoning tourist trade. Camel safaris continue to grow in popularity here, as travellers chase the silken darkness of a desert dawn without the hassle of Jaisalmer.

Things to do:

Camel Safari: Rao Bikaji Camel Safari is a thrilling experience in the Infinite Oceans of sand in Rajasthan. The beauty of the desert changes every season and looks all the more beautiful especially after rain. The beauty of the desert can be enjoyed by riding the camels or using camel carts. Wide spread tranquility welcomes tourists at every step. Bikaner is well known for its intricate architecture, huge palaces and forts, traditional dishes, garments, melody of folklore and artistic footwear. Rao Bikaji Camel Safari offers you it all. We are always ready to welcome your journey through our deserts.

Things to see:-

Junagarh Fort : Constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh – a general in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar – this most impressive fort has a 986m-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances.

Prachina Musuem: Situated Inside Junagarh fort, the museum houses antique displays of royal family and famous handicrafts of Bikaneri artisans. The souvenier shop at musuem also sells decorative items.

Jain temples: The narrow streets of the old city conceal a number of old havelis and a couple of notable Jain temples. The temples date from around the 15th century. Bhandasar Temple is particularly beautiful, with yellow-stone carving and dizzyingly vibrant paintings. It's said the foundations contain 40,000kg of ghee, and the floor still gets greasy in summer.

Ganga Government Museum: The Ganga Government Museum houses a small, well-displayed collection of sculptures, handicrafts, musical instruments and gold paintings.

World’s best festival: Bikaner Camel Festival Varying dates in January (during the 10th month of the Indian lunar calendar). Rated by Lonely Planet as one of the worlds best festivals.

Lalgarh & Laxmi Niwas Palace: On the outskirts of the old city is this imposing red sandstone palace built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, in commemoration of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. This oriental fantasy designed by Sir Swinton Jacob is the purest form of a palace, full of European luxury, Rajput and European Architecture. It is surrounded by lush green gardens, trees and bougainvillea, where peacocks stroll.

King Edward Memorial (KEM) Road: A stroll down the King Edward Memorial road and inside Kote Gate will reveal the shopping pleasures of Bikaner. The purses and slippers made from the camel hide are a bargain. The camel skin also ends up as cushions and lacquered lampshades. The local carpets and the woodwork are very popular among the tourists. And who can forget the world famous Bikaneri Bhujias and sweets.

Ramdevra: God Ramdevji is worshiped by both Hindus and Muslims. Muslims calls him Ramsapeer. The diety has very large following in western Rajasthan, Gurajrat and Punjab

Around Bikaner:-

Camel Research Farm: (8 kms) The only one of its kind in entire Asia. One can enjoy camel rides or even ice cream made of camel's milk.

Devi Kund: (8 kms) Its the royal crematorium, with several exquisite cenotaphs. The Maharaja Surat Singh's Chattri is beautifully made of white marble. One cannot miss the spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceilings.

Deshnok Karni Mata Temple: (30kms) shrine of Goddess Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga, who blessed Rao Bika, and has been the titular deity of the Bikaner dynasty. The temple is unique as the rats are venerated over here and called Kabas. The shrine is a sanctuary for them. It has a richly carved entrance and superb silver doors with images of Gods embossed over it.

Gajner: (32 kms) The wildlife sanctuary is situated here, amidst lush green surroundings on the road to Jaisalmer. A haven for Chinkara, Black Buck, Nilgai and imperial sand grouse. The palace is on the bank and has been converted into a hotel. The Prince of Wales stayed at this hotel.

Kolayatji: (50 kms) Ancient pilgrimage, with temple of Kapil Muni. It has many magnificent marble temples with sandstone pavilions and ghats (bathing places) located around an artificial lake.

Taal Chhapar Sanctuary: (132 kms) Situated close to Chhapar town in Churu District on Sujangarh- Nokha state Highway, Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is 719 hectares in area. The sanctuary is divided into two by the Sujangarh-Chhapar State Highway. The Sanctuary is a typical grassland, Indian Desert System interspersed with Acacia trees. It is an ideal habitat for antelopes, most commonly known as Black Buck. Most of the desert mammals and reptiles species are also here. About 122 species of migratory and resident birds are found in the sanctuary. Prominent being the winter migrants from Europe & Central Asia that include Demoiselle Cranes, Harriers, Rosy Starlings and Wagtails.

Kali & Pili Banga: (205 kms) An archaeologists delight, remains of thr indus valley civilization. It is almost as large as Harappa and Mohenjodaro.

Other places to visit:-

Tessitori Memorial, Ratanbihari ji Temple, Wood Fossil museum, Soor Sagar lake, Shivbari temple, Archives, Haveli's, Rajasthani Turban museum, Sunset point (sand dunes), camel safari, Khinchan for migrating Cranes and Shekhawati.