When To Travel Attractions Festivals Hotels How To Reach
Bikaner is the city of sun and sand. The most iconic image of Bikaner travel is riding on a camel through the great Indian Thar Desert. Bikaner follows the tradition of bravery in Rajasthan. During its history of more than 600 years, the soil of Bikaner produced brave kings and fighters.
Bikaner is generally unappreciated as tourist place comparing to other counterparts in Rajasthan like Udaipur, Jaipur and Jaisalmer. This desert town has its own story to tell. The story about its glorious past and bright future. The traces of Bikaner's glorious past can be found in its marvelous constructions that include forts and palaces.
What makes traveling to Bikaner is unique experience is the local culture and heritage. Not much need to be talked about culture of Bikaner since it lies in the state of Rajasthan in India. While some may argue that culture of Bikaner is not different from other cities within Rajasthan like Jodhpur and Jaipur, this perception is somewhat wrong. Keeping the traditions of Rajasthani culture, Bikaner also has its own story to tell.
You simply can not travel to Bikaner and not notice the local culture. More than 600 years have past since Bikaner came to existence but not much has changed in its culture. Although the youth have embraced the modern ethics, they have simply refused to forget their cultural roots.
Now you may ask, what Bikaner has in store for me culturally. What cultural activities I can enjoy when travel to Bikaner. The answer is very simple. You got plenty, starting from Camel Festival to Punarasar Fair, Gangaur, Siyana Bhairoon mela and Kodamdesar Mela. As you experience these cultural festivals, you will understand the influence and dominance of Hinduism in Bikaner.
If all this sounds too boring to you, well there's always the option for going shopping. There is no harm is some weight loss exercise for your wallet. After all what you are going to buy from here will become part of your memory. After shopping in Bikaner, go after some food. I can guarantee that foodies will love Bikaner. You have the option of Bhujiya, Papad, Lassi and Rasgulla. So, what are you waiting for, travel to Bikaner for your next family vacation and enjoy the best of India.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Avoid traveling to Bikaner in summer (April to July) unless you want to be fried. The weather of Bikaner during summer is ruthless with temperature touching 45 degree mark. Best time to travel Bikaner is during the winter months. Ideally, January would be perfect as city hosts the annual Camel Fair during this time.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Junagarh Fort - The most famous attraction is the Junagarh Fort which was built by the sixth ruler of Bikaner. The fort is easily more than 500 years old but in very good condition. It is hard to believe that fort is more than 5 century old. This fort could never be conquered. On several occasions, Junagarh Fort saved Hindu population of the region from Muslim rulers Massacre. The most interesting part of the fort is museum. On display are the weapons, jewelry and much more that belonged to the royal family.
Laxmi Niwas Palace - On of the newest forts in India, constructed in 1926. It was home to Maharajah Ganga Singh, although the Palace was designed by British architect. Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, the architect of the palace, combined the British and Indian architecture to create a modern masterpiece. Today Laxmi Niwas Palace has been turned into a popular hotel in Bikaner.
Lalgarh Palace - Built around the same time as Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lalgarh Palace is also proud home to brave Rajput Kings. Maharajah Ganga Singh built this palace in memory of his father. What is unique about Lalgarh Palace is that it uses European, Mughal and Rajput design. Not many palaces in India have built was combination of three unique architectural design.
Gajner Palace - Few km from Bikaner is the middle of Thar desert is a oasis called Gajner Palace. Just like most palaces in Bikaner, this one too was built by the Maharajah Ganga Singh. The palace served as a resort for the King and visiting British officials.
Karni Mata Temple - The most important pilgrimage in Bikaner is the Karni Mata temple located in Deshnoke, 30km from Bikaner. Most people identify it as the rat temple, due to large population of rats inside the temple. Karni Mata is an incarnation of Goddess Durga and official deity of the royal family of Bikaner and Jodhpur. The rats are believed holy by the people and spotting a white rat is considered very auspicious.
Bhandasar Jain Temple - Bikaner has sizable number of Jain temples, but none of them come close to Bhandasar Jain Temple in term of beauty and the importance. The temple is dedicated to Sumatinath, the fifth Tirthankara in Jainism. The top floor of the temple offers fine view of entire Bikaner city.
Shivbari Temple - Shivbari is at least 100 years old temple made out of red sandstone. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Inside the temple is idol of Lord Shiva with four face. The month of Shravan according to Hindu calendar is the time when devotees flock to Shivbari temple.
Kolayat - 51km from Bikaner on the Jaisalmer highway is Kolayat, a small town with significant pilgrimage value. At this place Vedic Sage Kapila sat on meditation. The artificial lake in Kolayat is very sacred according to local beliefs. You can spot hundreds of sages, meditating in Kolayat. There is a large temple dedicated to Kapila which holds a festival every year during the Hindu month of Kartik which generally lies during October and November.
Laxmi Nath Temple - The oldest temple in Bikaner is Laxmi Nath Temple. It is built on the exact place where Rao Bikaji, laid the foundation of Bikaner some 600 years ago.
Desert Safari - Bikaner offers several desert camel safari tours to the tourists. Travel through the great Indian Thar Desert. During the journey, you will come across several small villages and tribes with their own traditions and beliefs. Desert Safari between Jaisalmer and Bikaner are very popular.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Camel Festival - The biggest and most popular of all festivals in Bikaner is Camel Festival which is organized by Rajasthan Tourism Board. The festival is dedicated to Camel and one can see several interesting activities related to camels during the festival. These camel performances include camel race, dance etc. The camel fashion is also the highlight of the festival. Prizes are handed out for best dressed, haircut of camel etc. The evening of the festival is dominated by dance and music performances inspired by Rajasthani culture. The festival takes place in January.
Punarasar Fair - Punarasar is another name of Lord Hanuman. The Punarasar Fair takes place in a small village called Punarasar which is few km from Bikaner. The Hindus in the region have strong faith towards this fair. It is necessary to visit the Punarasar temple twice a year on the occasion of Sarad purnima & Bhaadava. Thousands of people visit the temple during the fair. Sometimes devotees queue could get 5km long.
Paryushan - The major festival of Jainism is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bikaner. All the 27 Jain temples in Bikaner are decorated ahead of the festival and celebrations takes place throughout the city.
HOTELS IN BIKANER
Several havelis and palaces have been turned to hotels in Bikaner. These ravishing havelis are delight to stay. It won't burn a hole in your pocked to stay at palace hotels. Most of them are well within your budget. Options vary from luxury to budget hotels in Bikaner for every type of tourists. Most preferred hotels in Bikaner include The Laxmi Niwas Palace, Gajner Palace Hotel Bikaner, Lallgarh Palace, Hotel Harasar Haveli and Basant Vihar Palace Hotel. Here is the complete list of Bikaner hotels.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - The nearest airport from Bikaner is in Jodhpur (253 km). Most domestic airlines like Kingfisher, Jet Airways and Air India offer flights to Jodhpur from Mumbai, Delhi etc. From Jodhpur airport you can take a bus or taxi to reach Bikaner. While bus would take around 7 hours to reach Bikaner, taxi would cover the distance is less than 5 hours.
By Train - Indian Railways has connected Bikaner to major towns in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedbad and Agra. Both superfast and regular mail trains are available to Bikaner.
By Road - Bikaner is connected to Delhi and major cities in Rajasthan by good road network. Roads to Bikaner are generally good without much potholes. This makes bus journey to Bikaner quite comfortable. From Delhi you can take night bus to Bikaner from Sarai Kale Khan Inter State Bus Terminus.
