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              BIKANER TRAVEL GUIDE

Bikaner is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan . The city is the
administrative headquarters of Bikaner District. It was formerly the capital of the
princely state of Bikaner. 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.

Prior to Bika's rule, the region that is Bikaner was a barren wilderness called
"Jangladesh". The territory forming the boundaries of Bikaner was possessed by Jat
and Rajput clans: The north-eastern and north-western Rajasthan, known by the
name Jangala Desh since Mahabharata times, was inhabited by Jat clans ruled by
their own chiefs and largely governed by their own customary law.  Whole of the
region was possessed by six or seven cantons namely Punia, Godara, Saran,
Sihag, Beniwal, Johiya and Kaswan. Besides these cantons there were several
sub-castes of Jats, simultaneously wrested from Rajput proprietors for instance
Bagor, Kharipatta, Mohila or Mehila, Bhukar, Bhadu, Chahar.  According to History of
Bikaner State and by the scholars, the region was occupied by Jats with their seven
territories. It is said about Jat territories that Saat Patti Sattavan Majh (means seven
long and fifty-seven small territories)

After Chauhans, Jats had completely established their supremacy and hold over
administration in this region known as Jangala Desh in their own traditional fashion,
which continued till the conquest of the region by Rathores. The Jats claimed their
right over the land which was under their possession, before the Rathores occupied
it and this claim was inherited by their descendants, who used to divide the land
among themselves for cultivation. It appears probable that in the early period of their
conquest the Rathores could not exercise any definite claim on the land as
landlords. However, it was possible only in the 17th century,  due to internal rivalries
among Jats, primarily Godaras surrendered, later on all Jat clans accepted Rathor's
suzerainty.


GENERAL INFORMATION


Time zone        IST (UTC+5:30)
Area                   270 kmē (104 sq mi)
Elevation          242 m (794 ft)
District(s)         Bikaner
Population       529,007 (2001)
Density             1,960/kmē


PLACE TO VISIT


Junagarh Fort - The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner
who reigned from 1571 to 1612. Rai Singh had conquered part of Marwar and had
been granted territory in Gujurat and Burhanpur by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a
reward for his services as military commander. This, as well as funding from
Jodhpur, enabled him to build the fort. Rai Singh held high rank in the imperial
courts of both Akbar and his successor, Jehangir. During his imperial service he
travelled extensively, giving him an appreciation of art and architecture. These ideas
have been incorporated meticulously into the architectural style of Junagarh Fort.

Lalgarh Palace - The palace was built between 1902 and 1926 according to
Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The building was commissioned
by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881 - 1942) in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh
and was designed by the British architect, Sir Swinton Jacob. It is coated in red
sandstone and has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. The
building features magnificent pillars, elaborate fire places, Italian colonnades and
intricate latticework and filigree work. The palace houses the Shri Sadul Museum as
well as the fourth largest library in the world. Though the Bikaner Royal Family still
live in the palace, part of the building has been converted into a hotel operated by the
WelcomHeritage Group.

Laxmi Nath Temple - Laxmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples in
Bikaner. The foundation of the city was laid here in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. The temple
was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and was added to by Maharaja Ganga
Singh.

Shiv Bari Temple - Built from red sandstone by Dungar Singh in the late 19th
century, the temple is surrounded by a wall with battlements. It has a four faced black
marble statue of Shiva and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam. There are also
two large reservoirs of water known as bawaris. The temple attracts thousands of
visitors during Shravan (August) especially on Mondays.

Kolayat - Kolayat is a famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil
Muni who, according to his devotees, sat in meditation near the lake.

Karni Mata Temple - The shrine of Karni Mata can be found in the town of
Deshnoke 30 km south from Bikaner on the road to Jodhpur. Karni Mata is
worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

Kalibangan -  The prehistoric and pre-Mauryan character of Indus Valley
Civilization was first identified by Luigi Tessitori at this site. Kalibangan's excavation
report was largely unpublished, until, in Jan 2003, ASI (Archaeological Survey of
India) brought out a detailed report, 34 years after the completion of excavations [3],
which justified the previously held view of Kalibangan being a major provincial
capital of the Indus Valley Civilization. Kalibangan is distinguished by its unique fire
altars and "world's earliest attested ploughed field".


HOW TO REACH

Bikaner can be reached by train from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Agra, Punjab and other
major Indian towns. It can also be reached by road from Delhi Via Shekawati or
Jaipur. The Highways are very good however the country roads in the shekawati
region can be a bit dampner. The road from Jaipur Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are the
best roads. The nearest Airport is Jodhpur (around 4.5 hours journey) and is well
connected by road and rail. However, travelling via Jaipur (6.5 hours distance) gives
you more option in terms of flight frequency and choice of Airlines. Overall it comes
out to be cheaper (due to availablility of low-cost airlines) if you travel via Jaipur.