Introduction: Bikaner is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner.
History: 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 Ganga Canal completed in 1928 and the Indira Gandhi canal completed in 1987 have allowed the farming of crops such as mustard, cotton and wheat. Other industries include wool production and the mining of gypsum, plaster of Paris and bentonite.
Description: Bikaner is also called the “Camel Country”. The city has one of the largest Camel research and breeding farm in the world. Camels are not only used for pulling water off the well but for transportation of food material, caravans and safaris.
Bikaner Quick facts
Bikaner Geography and Climate
Geography: Bikaner is located at E 28.010N 73.190E. It has an average elevation of 243 meters (797) feet.
Climate: Bikaner is situated in the middle of the Thar desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer, temperature exceeds 50 °C and during winter it dips to freezing point. Extreme and typical desert type with hot days and cool nights. The maximum and minimum temperatures in summer generally vary between 43°C and 28°C. The winter maximum and minimum are around 24 °C and 5°C respectively.
Best time to visit Bikaner
Best season is visit Bikaner October to March.
* October to March is ideal for outings and sight seeing.
* April to June are hot and can cause dehydration. Avoid travel during hot summer days.
* July to September is good for those travelers liking marvelous showers and good for short
Bikaner Orientation
The city is encircled by a seven km long city wall with five entrance gates, built in the 18th century. The fort and palace, built of Bikaner's same reddish-pink sandstone, is within the city walls. The GPO is at the collectorate, the city post office is inside Kot Gate. The Tourist Office is located at the Tourist Bungalow.
Celebrations are a way of life in Bikaner as seen in its colourful festivities. The exotic Desert City throbs to life when the Ship of desert majestically move in processions swaying music. Bikaner has retained its medieval aura, and traditional life style unruffled by modernity.
Bikaner is connected by road with the major cities of India.
Some important distance are : Delhi 456km Jaipur 334km, Jaisalmer 333 km
How to reach Bikaner by Rail
Bikaner is connected with Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhatinda, kalka and Howarh (Culcutta)
Some important train connection are :
Kalka Express (Bikaner-Jodhpur);
Bikaner Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner),
Chetak Express (Delhi-Sarai Rohila-
Bikaner Mail (Delhi Sarai Rohila-Bikaner)
Camel festival: A spectacular event of camel performances, camel races, camel acrobatics dances and camel milking competition are a part of of the celebrations.
Ganguar festival: Dedicated to Goddess Parvati- the consort of Lord Shiva. Grand processions of the deity accompanied by dancing women are a part of the eighteen day long celebrations.
Kolyat festival: Coincides with Pushkar fair when pilgrims take a holy dip in the Kolayat lake on the full moon day in the month of Kartik.
Holi: Exuberant festivals beginning several days before the actual day of Holi, make it a special and spectacular occasion.
Bikaner Culture
Bikaner is famous for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and its sweets. Bikaneri Bhujia is a spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil. Bikaner is also known for its handicrafts and leather articles, for its palaces and for having Asia's biggest camel farm. The city is also known for its intricately carved Jharokas. These stone screens are found on the windows of forts and havellis - traditionally, women would use the screens to watch the world while remaining hidden. The red sandstone for these stone window screens is supplied by the nearby village of Dulmera.
Bikaner Religious Places
Shiv Bari Temple: (6 kms from Bikaner) Fortified by a high wall, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Maharaja Doongar Singh constructed it in the ninth century in memory of his father Maharaj Lall Singhji. The temple has a beautiful wall panting of Nandi Bull facing the Shiva Lingam. This is located on the way to the camel town.
Devi Kund: (8 kms from Bikaner)The royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs (Chhatris). Each Chhatri is dedicated to the memory of rulers of Bikajidynasty and is situated on the exact place where they were cremated. The Chhatri of Maharaj Surat Singh is a fine example of architecture. The ceilings of the Chhatris display some delicate Rajput paintings.
Deshnok Temple: Deshnok is a small village situated 32 km south from Bikaner city along the Jodhpur Road. It is connected by national highway and rail. It is a pilgrim centre of Karni Mata. Karni Mata, considered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga lived here in the fourteenth century and performed many miracles. Originally the village was called 'dus- nok' meaning ten corners as it was formed by taking ten corners of ten villages.
Bhandeswari Jain Temple: This is a fifteenth century temple and is the oldest monument of Bikaner. The temple is decorated with rich mirror work, frescoes and gold leaf paintings.
Bikaner Monuments
Junagarh Fort: It is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat. The fort situates in it some very magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure. The Har Mandir is the majestic chapel for the royal family for worshipping their gods and goddesses. These palaces, constructed in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure.
Lalgarh Palace: This grand palace is an architectural masterwork in red sandstone, and was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh ji in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh Ji in 1902. Sir Swinton Jacob designed this oriental fantasy. This architecture is a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European architecture. The exterior contrasts dramatically with the oriental interiors and amenities.
Gajner Palace:Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar. Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna. Basically a hunting and relaxing lodge, the maharaja and the family shared their passion with their exclusive guests and hosted exotic holidays for them. Around the palace is a thick forestation that attracts the guests to take up a simple walk around admiring the migratory birds in winter like imperial sand goose,antelopes, black bucks and the animal species that wander around in the form of Nilgais, chinkaras, deer etc. The hotel is spread in a large area, and the ambience around is as raw and authentic as it was before.
Kolyatji: Kolyat is located 50 kilometres from Bikaner. It is a temple complex of Kolyat and a holy place of pilgrimage for Hindus. The legend has it that Kapil Muni the advocate of Shankya yoga of the Hindu philosophy while journeying towards northwest was struck by the tranquility and peace of this place and chose to perform tapasya (penance) here for the redemption of the world. This place has since acquired great sanctity. The complex has several temples, pavilions and bathing ghats. A dip in the holy waters of the lake especially on Kartik Poornima (November) is considered very auspicious.
Katariasar Village: It is located 50 kilometres from Bikaner. It is a temple complex of Kolyat and a holy place of pilgrimage for Hindus. The legend has it that Kapil Muni the advocate of Shankya yoga of the Hindu philosophy while journeying towards northwest was struck by the tranquility and peace of this place and chose to perform tapasya (penance) here for the redemption of the world. This place has since acquired great sanctity. The complex has several temples, pavilions and bathing ghats. A dip in the holy waters of the lake especially on Kartik Poornima (November) is considered very auspicious.
Camel Research Farm (8 km): Spend a day with the indispensable ship of the desert at their camel research and breeding centres which is only one of its kinds in Asia. The farm extends over 2000 acres of semi arid land and is managed by the Central Government. These camels are sold in the cattle fairs of Bikaner and Jaisalmer where they are decorated in all their fineries which are colorful and attractive, complementing the brown terrains of the desert.
Bikaner Nightlife
The nightlife in Bikaner is one of the main attractions of the city for those out on a Bikaner vacation. If one is planning a tour this place of Rajasthan, do not forget to enjoy the fascinating nightlife of this place.
One of the specialties of the Bikaner nightlife is camping on the Bikaner sanddunes. The Rajasthani people perform a variety of songs and dance performances, which add up to the rustic experience. Puppet shows and bonfire complement the nightlife identified with Bikaner.
Bikaner Shopping
The most famous shopping items of Bikaner are the camel leather products consisting of camel leathershoes, camel leather chairs, camel fur rugs, camelleather belts, bags, wallets, miniature paintings on camel hides, etc. Apart from that Mojari (Bikaneri style), Rangi dupatta, Kundan work, Wooden antiques,Lacquer Bangles, Carpets, Beaded and sequined gorbandhs, Cotton fabrics with sanganeri prints, Nokha Quilts (known for lightweight and good insulation), Paintings.
Other exquisite works of Bikaner consist of arranging uncut stones, mainly diamonds, into gold as decoration for swords, sweet boxes, etc. While in Bikaner, don't forget to try the local delicacies like the traditional Bikaneri bhujia and Bikaner sweetmeats prepared with thick yummy camel milk.
Famous To Eat at Bikaner
Bikaner is famous for its aloo bhujias. These are a type of fried potatoes, which are very tasty and high on calories. Aloo bhujias are popular throughout India and it is also sold in other states. Bikaner specializes in different types of sweets as well. Rasgullas and Sattus are mostly preferred by tourists.
The Bikaneri sattu is made from water, jaggery and barley and are seasoned with nuts and silver foil. This is a festive sweet in Bikaner. There is a tradition that during the Navaratri or 'Badi-Teej' festival, the wife breaks her fast by biting on to a Sattu sweet, offered by her husband.
Bikaner Museum and Hill Stations
Ganga Singh Museum: Popularly described as the best museum in the state, it displays a rich array of archaeological discoveries from prehistoric Harrapan and early Gupta period. Separate sections put on view paintings, arts and craft, terracotta, pottery, carpets, coins and ancient Rajput weaponry.
Sadul Museum: Popularly described as the best museum in the state, it displays a rich array of archaeological discoveries from prehistoric Harrapan and early Gupta period. Separate sections put on view paintings, arts and craft, terracotta, pottery, carpets, coins and ancient Rajput weaponry.
Prachina Museum: It's a museum located in the great Junagarh Fort. The museum is dedicated to royal costumes, textiles and accessories. 'Poshaks' or the ladies ensemble displayed are perhaps the last remnants of the traditional designing styles and workmanship. The museum also reveals a study of changing cultural settings in its display of family portraits of the former rulers. Changes embarked by the western influences appear strikingly. The vivid glimpses of legacy that survived in the contemporary Bikaner are also visible.
Rajasthan State Archives: This Directorate is located in Bikaner. The archives have in their custody some very precious administrative record of Mughal period like Persian Farmans, Nishans, Manshurs, Akbarat, Vakil Report, Arzdasht,Khatoot and the record created during administration of the Princely states of Rajasthan such as Bahiat, Pattas, Parwanas, Rukkas, Chithiat etc. Because of this exceptional collection of records the department is of immense value to researchers all over the world. Facilities like microfilming, referencelibrary and research rooms are also available to researchers. An exhibition of important documents is also set-up specially for tourist interest.
Gardens and Parks at Bikaner
Sisodia Rani ka Bagh is 8 km from Bikaner on the Bikaner-Agra road. It is a garden palace constructed for the second wife of Jai Singh. The pyramidal gardens looks beautiful over the small hillock with watercourses. There are pavilions also in the garden ornamented with wall paintings.
Camel Research Farm is a government-run camel station nearly 8 km from Bikaner. It is probably one of its kind of a farm in whole of Asia. There are about 230 camels at the research farm and three different breeds are reared here. Enjoy the camel ride, look at the baby camels and explore the small museum.
Bikaner Seasonals
Weather & Best Season of Bikaner
Generally Bikaner has both extreme climates, hot and cool.
* Summers(March to June) have the maximum temperature soaring to 42 °C, while the minimum is nearly 28 °C. Generally tourists avoid the hot summer months of April to June.
* Monsoons (July to November) offer moderate rains and it makes the atmosphere humid.
* Winters (December to February) are chilly with minimum touches nearly 4 °C. Travelers mostly visit Bikaner during this season.
Best season is visit Bikaner October to March.
* October to March is ideal for outings and sight seeing.
* April to June are hot and can cause dehydration. Avoid travel during hot summer days.
* July to September is good for those travelers liking marvelous showers and good for short trips.
Rajasthani is spoken by a significant number of permanent residents in Bikaner with the specific dialect known as Marwari. While dialects of Rajasthani differ from region to region, there are common elements between them and hence communication is possible between citizens of different regions. Hindi is also widely spoken, while English is common in tourist areas and is spoken in hotels and resorts.
The rupee is Bikaner's official currencyand is made up of 100 paise. Notes are issued in denominations of Rs1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5, while coins are issued in Rs5, 2 and 1; and 50, 25, and 10 paise.
Avoid drinking tap water at all costs and steer clear of ice in cold beverages in case it has been prepared with unpurified water. When purchasing bottled beverages of any description, be sure that seals are intact and reject any bottles if they are not..
Eating out can present health risks on account of low levels of hygiene at local eateries, so some good judgment needs to be employed before deciding where and what to eat.
Non-national visitors are permitted to bring a maximum of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of loose tobacco into the country while alcohol allowances for those in the same category permit the importing of no more than a litre of wine or spirits.
Bikaner ATM's
State Bank Of India - ATM - Bikaner
BIKANER CANTONMENT, BIKANER CANTT
Bikaner (Rajasthan), India
State Bank Of India - ATM - Bikaner
GSROAD BIKANER, GANGA SHAHR ROAD BIKANER
Bikaner (Rajasthan), India
Must do at Bikaner
Junagarh Museum cannot be missed while on tour to Bikaner. Raja Jai Singh, a General in the Mughal Army of the Emperor Akbar constructed the Junagarh Fort. It was started in 1588 AD and was completed by 1593 AD. The huge fort has a 986 m-long wall with 37 ramparts, a moat and two entrances of which the Surajpol or the Sun Gate is the main entrance.
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