Best Time to Visit : Oct to March Weather :In Summer: 41.8 C (Max) - 28 C (Min) In winter: 23.2 C
(Max) - 5 C (Min) Rainy Season from July to Mid Sept, and very humid (upto
90%).
Camel Festival (In the month of
January) An enchanting desert city which comes alive with music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances, camel, race camel dance etc. here.
About Bikaner
History
Binaker’s history dates back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore Prince,Rao
Bikaji- a dexdendant of the founder of Jodhpur(1459 A.D.), Rao Jodhaji,
established his kingdom here. Rao Jodhaji had five sons but Rao Bikaji was
the most enterprising of them. Bikaji chose a barren wilderness called ‘Jangladesh’
and transformerd it to an impressive city, called Bikaner after the founder’
name.
Culture
More popularly called the camel country , the city is renowned for the best
riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of
life here. Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting grains or working on
wells, camels are the prime helpers. The wells of Bikaner: an important
source of water are other attractions of the city. These are built on high
plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the four corners and can be
noticed even from a distance.
By
Air The nearest airport service travellers headed for Bikaner is at Jaipur.
By Bus Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses
from Delhi (Bikaner House, Near. India Gate) to Bikaner. The roads are very
good, and it takes around 8-9 hrs from Jaipur. You can also come by taxi.
By Train Several trains link it to important cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer.
Getting Around The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient carvan routes that came
from West/Central Asia, made it a prime trade centre in the times of the
yore. Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is cirucmscribed by a
seven km long embattled wall with five gates.
Shopping The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in redding-pink
sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy.
Undulating lanes, colorful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make
Bikaner and interesting experience.
Places to see
Lal Garh Palace The
architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, the palace was built by Maharaja
Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has
beautiful latticework and filigree work. Sprawling lawns with blooming
bougainvillea and dancing peacocks make it a not-to-be missed visual treat.
Part of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known
as Shri Sadul Museum. The museum covers the entire first floor of the palace
and houses well preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife.
Junagarh
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor
Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some
beautiful palaces within. These palaces, made in red sandstone and marble,
make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows
dotted all over the structure.
The Suraj Pol or Sun Gate
It is the main entrance to the fort. Among the notable of these palaces are
the exquisitely beautiful Chandra Mahal or the Moon Palace with marvelous
paintings, mirrors and carved marble panels, and the Phool Mahal or Flower
Palace ornate with glass and mirror work. Other palaces worth visiting are
the Anup Mahal, Karan Mahal, Dungar Niwas, Ganga Niwas, Gaj Mandir and Rang
Mahal, Gigantic columns, arches and graceful screens adorn the palaces from
within.
Ganga
Golden Jubilee Museum
It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collections of
terra-cotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins.
The exhibits are splendid masterpieces of Harappan civilization, Gupta and
Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time.The museum has a
separate section displaying exclusive arts and crafts of the region. Gardens
and Parks
Ganga Public Park with a Zoo, Ratan Bihari Temple Park and Tessitory Park
are some of the lovely parks in the city. Surely worth a visit.
Eating out
Indian Food The Chhotu Motu Joshi Restaurant is just down from the Green Hotel towards
the station and has good, cheap vegetarian food, icy - cold lassi and lots
of Indian food. Krishanan, laxmi and Ganesh are also good restaurant.
Continental food
These are budget hotels, and the facilities vary with the hotels and still
some are very good, and you can also look for Paying Guest accommodations.
By
Air
Ganga
Golden Jubilee Museum