BIKANER

A city - awesome and beautiful. A vast expanse of rippling sand and scorching sun. An arid, rocky scrubland. Bikaner is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. The city, situated on an elevated ground, is surrounded by a seven-kilometer-long, 15–30 feet (5–9 m) high embattled stone wall and marked by five gates. The fortified town still preserves the aura of medieval times, as it is protected by harsh desert and remained untouched by outside influence.

The old part of the city is overlooked by a fort and has numerous buildings of bright red and yellow sandstone. The lofty houses with excellent carvings still survive averring to the craftsmanship and  prosperity of the people. Bikaner is situated in an arid tract of undulating sand hills where the breeding of camels, horses, and sheep is the principal occupation. Because there are no rivers, irrigation is chiefly by means of deep tube wells.

Carvings find best expression in Bikaneri havelies. Havelies are marvels in home architecture. Such havelies or residential houses do not exist anywhere in the world. They are the pride of Bikaner, says great author and philosopher, Aldous Huxley. They are situated in narrow lanes in the old city. Splendid abodes can be seen in the midst of streets that look serpent like and peaceful. They are marvelous mansions made of red stone and stand magnificently. They stand spreading magic around. Their jharokhas (casements), entrances, latticed windows, divankhanas, Gumaharias or basements, are exotic. The -red stone gives a look that is like a red carpet forcing one to look and admire. The havelies were the residence of wealthy merchants who had a fancy for beauty and art.

The oldest haveli is perhaps four hundred years old but most of them are hundred years in age or around it. That is why they indicate a pattern of their own. They charm each and everyone who happens to see them.

ATTRACTIONS

Junagarh Fort –

Junagarh Fort is an impressive fort in the city of Bikaner. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan not built on a hilltop. Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh(1571-1611 A.D.), a general in the army of emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful places within. The imposing fort has 986 long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances. These places, made in red sandstone (Dulmera) and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. Some of the buildings within the Fort complex are - Suraj Pol,  Karan Mahal, Durga Niwas, Lal Niwas, Anup Mahal (a private audience chamber), Chandra Mahal and Phul Mahal, Vikram Mahal (a darbar hall - a biplane presented to Maharaja Ganga Singh is on display in the hall) and Fort Museum.

Lalgarh Palace & Sadul Museum –

The three storey complex architectural masterpiece coated in red sandstone quarried from the Thar Desert, the palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881-1942 A.D.) in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singhji in 1902 AD according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work. Sprawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks make it to be a not -to-be missed visual treat. The palace has hosted many guests including Georges Clemenceau in 1920, Queen Mary, King George V, Lord Harding and Lord Irwin. Lord Curzon was the palace's first notable guest.

The complex contains the features considered essential for a late 19th century palace; drawing rooms, smoking rooms, guest suites, several grand halls, lounges, cupolas, pavilions, including a dining room which could seat 400 diners. The complex features magnificent pillars, elaborate fire places, Italian colonnades and intricate latticework and filigree work. The Karni Niwas wing houses the darbar hall and and an art deco indoor swimming pool.

In 1972 the Maharaja of Bikaner, Dr. Karni Singh, established the Ganga Singhji Charitable Trust. He endowed a part of Lalgarh Palace to be used in service of the trust. Two wings were converted into independent hotels with the income from the Lallgarh hotel used to support the trust.

At present the palace houses the following:

- The Shri Sadul Museum which is located in the west wing which also contains the fourth largest private library in the world. The museum is open from 10:00AM to 5:00PM on all weekdays except on Sunday.
- In one wing the private home of the Bikaner Royal Family.
- The Lallgarh Palace Hotel. This is a luxury hotel.
- The Laxmi Niwas Palace. This is a luxury hotel.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum -** Museum is closed on Fridays and gazetted holidays

Established near the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner in 1937 on the eve of the Golden jubilee celebrations of Maharaja Ganga Singh, this Museum is now run by the Government of Rajasthan. It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collections of Terracotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins. The exhibits are splendid master pieces of Harappan civilization, Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time.  Some principal sections of the museum are - Maharaja Ganga Singh Memorial, Local Arts and Crafts, History, Sculpture, Terracotta and Bronzes, Armory, Miniature Paintings and Folk-Arts, Lithoprints of the British interpretation of the war of Independence 1857.

Camel Research Centre -
The National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner is located at a distance of about 10 km from Bikaner city.  Established on 5th July 1984, the Centre has the responsibility to conduct basic and applied research for the improvement of camel.  Over the years NRCC has developed excellent laboratory facilities and infrastructure. An elite herd of Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri and Kachchhi breed of camel has been developed and maintained at the Centre. Extensive studies on evaluation of draughtability of camel breeds have been carried out by the Centre.  The feed requirement during various stages i.e. lactation, pregnancy, draught has been studied and locally available feed/fodder resources were evaluated by the Centre. The Centre has also generated useful information on double humped camel found in Nobra Valley of Laddakh region.

The Centre has been identified as one of the important tourist place of Bikaner and is included in the tourist map of Rajasthan.  The Centre has developed a camel museum which attracts the attention of researchers and tourist. Every year thousands of Foreign and Indian tourists visit the Centre. The Centre remains open on all days from 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM for the visitors. The Centre also participates in various events held during the camel festival organized every year by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Local Administration.

Ratan Behari temple –
A splendid temple building made of white marble near Junagarh Fort. It is a fine example of Indo-Mughal architecture. The temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, was built by the 18th rular of Bikaner state, Lord Ratan Singh, in 1846 A.D. The outer portion of this temple has an ethereal beauty. The sanctum of the temple is unique where the idol of lord Krishna and his wife and his girl friend are fixed. The temple has very spacious quadrangle floor made of marble. Arcade design beside the Quadrangle floors made the sight very magnificent. You are recommended to see the sight of this lovely temple. Note: You may take photograph of temple building from outside and inside, but Photography of the idol is prohibited.

Royal Cenotaphs at Devi Kund Sagar -
The Royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs which were built in memory of the deceased members of the ruling family of Bikaner. The Chhatris (Cenotaphs) of the early rulers were made of red sandstone, ornamentation on which resembles very much with carving work on some of the buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. Maharaja Suraj Singh's Chhatri is the most impressive of all, created entirely in white marble with spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceiling. The later Cenotaphs were made from marble and very beautifully sculpted and ornamented. Rajput painting adorns the ceiling of some of the Cenotaphs.

Kolayat temple -
Located 51 Km from Bikaner on highway leading to Jaisalmer, the temple is an old pilgrimage centre where Kapil Muni of the vedic fame is believed to have shed his body under a peepul tree. Kolayat has a series of charming marble temple, sandstone pavilions and 32 ghats (bathing places) built around a huge artificial lake which never goes dry.

Here one can see sadhus and pilgrims taking a holy dip, surrounded by the vast emptiness of a timeless atmosphere and the golden desert. On Karthik Purnima day, a grand fair is held in which devotees from all over the country come to take a holy bath in the lake.

Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple), Deshnok -
30 Km south from Bikaner on the road of Jodhpur, stands a little town-DESHNOK, known for the shrine of Goddess Karni Mata, who is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She blessed Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner in establishing his kingdom and since then she was also worshiped as the tutelary deity of the erstwhile Bikaner dynasty. The temple is unique as the rats called Kabas, are venerated here and the shrine is a sanctuary for them. It is believed that these Kabas carry souls of future Charans/bards (children of the goddess)  who inhabit the town of Deshnok. These Kabas are held sacred and they move freely in the temple precincts. It is considered highly auspicious to sight a white Kaba and if one touches your feet its considered auspicious. Devotees buy prasad (feeding) to offer to them.

Gajner Palace & Sanctuary -
30 kms from Bikaner city, on the road to Jaisalmer, Gajner Palace - a summer resort of Bikaner Maharajas - has often been described as 'an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert'. Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh ji of Bikaner, palace stands on the embankment of a lake. The palace was used by Maharaja for grand shoots and lavish entertainment. Royalty, both Indian as well as international, Viceroys and other dignitaries have been entertained at this grand palace. The architecture of Gajner palace is truly outstanding. Built in red sandstone with intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens, the craftsmanship here is amazing. A part of palace has been transformed into hotel.

The wildlife sanctuary amidst green surrounding provides shelter to chinkaras , blackbucks, blue bull (neel gai), Wild Boar and flocks of imperial sand grouse and many other birds and waterfowls which flock here in large numbers.