Bikaner

Binaker’s history dates back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji- a desendent 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 trandormerd 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.

Excursion

Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort was constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of mughal emperor Akhbar, with embellishments in the form of palaces andluerious suites added by subsequent Maharajas. This fort has a 986m-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances. The Surajpol or the 'Sun Gate' is the main entrance. The palaces within the fort are on the southern side and make a picturique ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks, towers and windows. A major feature of fort and palaces is the superb quality of stone carving. The handprints which can be seen close to the Daulatpol commemorate the wives of Rajput soldiers lost in battles, who committed sati on their husbands' funeral pyres.

Despite that fact Junagarh doesn't command hilltop position, as do some of the Rajathan's other grand forts, it is no less imposing and a credit to its planners and architects has never been conquered.

Lalgarh 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. Timings 10.00 hr. to 16.30 hr. Entry fee Rs.5.00(closed on Wednesday).

Situated 3km north of the city center this palace wa built bu Maharaja Ganaga Singh in the memory of his father, Maharaja Lal Singh

The Shri Sadul museum covers entire first floor of the palace. The museum was established in 1076 and there's a reasonable collection of artifacts and personal pocessions of the Bikaner Maharajas and a brass vessel known as a tokna used to collect revenue which was transported by camel to te Bikaner state treasury.

In front of the palace is a carriage from the maharaja's royal train.

Ganga Golden Jublee Museum
This intresting museum is on the jaipur road. Exibits include terracotta ware from the Gupta period, a range of Rajasthani traditional musical instruments, miniature wooden models of Gajner and Lalgarh palaces and a miniature of the royal Bikaner train with the roof folded back to reveal its comfortable amenities. There is a seperate exibition hall with antique carpets and royal vestments.

Other intresting exibits include decrees issued by the Mughals to the Maharajas of Bikaner.There are also some fine oil paintings.The sculptures include a beautiful and voluptuos image of Devi, and a marble Jain Sculkpture of Saraswati which dates from the 11th century.

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Bhandasar Temple
Bhandasar Temple is dedicated to the fifth tirthankar Sumitnath, and the building was commissioned in 1468 by a wealthy Jain merchant, Bhandasa Oswal. It was completed after his death, in 1514.

The interior of the temple is stunning, with, unusually for a Jain temple, a series of vibrant paintings. The pillers bear floral abesques and stories that depict the lives of of the 24 Jain tirthankars. It is said that 40,000kgs of ghee was used instead of water in the mortar, which locals insist seeps through the floor on hot days.

On first floor of the three-story temple are beautiful miniatures of the sentries of the gods. There are fine views out over the city from the third floor, with the desert streching behind it to the west.

Shiv Bari Temple
Enroute to Camel Breeding Farm is the Laleshwar Mahadev Temple (ShivBari).

Fortified by a high wall, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Maharaja Doongar Singh constructed it in the ninth century in the 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.

Although it is not highlighted much , but it is definitely a place one would like to spend some time.

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Deshnok Karni Mata Temple
Deshnok is a village 30km south of Bikaner along the Jodhpur road. A visit to Deshnok's fascinating temple of Karni Mata, an incarnation of Durga, is not far for squeamish. Here the holy rodents are considered to be incarnations of the storytellers, and run riot over the temple complex.

Karni Mata lived in the 14th century and performed many miracles during her life-time. When her youngest son, Lakhan, drowned, Karni Mata ordered Yama, the god of Death, to bring him back to life. Yama replied that he was unable to do this, but that Karni Mata, is an incarnation of Durga, could restore Lakhan's life. This she did, and decreed that members of her family would no longer die, but would be incarnated as kabas (rats), and these kabas would returns as members of her family. There are around 600 families in Deshnok who claim both decent from Karni Mata and that they will be reincarnated as kabas.

The temple is an important place of pilgrimage, with pilgrims being disgorged every few minutes from buses. Before the temple, is a beautiful marble facade with solid silver doors donated by Maharaja Gaj Singh. Across the doorway to the inner sanctum are the repousse (raised relief) silver doors - one panel shows the goddess with her holy charges at her feet. An image of goddess is enshrined in the sanctum. There are special holes around the temple courtyard to fascinate the rats' movements, and a wire grille has been placed over the courtyard to prevent the birds of prey and other predators consuming the holy rodents.

It is considered quite auspicious to have a kaba run across your feet. White kabas are quite rare, albeit there are one or two at the temple and sightseeing one augurs well for your spiritual progress.

Kolayat Ji
A famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni (saint). The temple is the venue for an annual fair held in the month of Kartik (Oct.-Nov.) when thousands of devotees gather in large number to take a sacred dip in the holy waters of the Kolayat lake on the full moon day. A cattle fair, especially for the trading of camels is a part of the festivities. The small oasis town is now an idyllic picnic spot.

This Temple is fifty two kilometers towards Jaisalmer and is dedicated to "Kapil Muni" who is fifth recreation of "Lord Vishnu", there are 52 Ghats around this temple.

It is the Most important Pilgrimage Point for Hindus in Northern Rajasthan after Pushkar.

Every year a big fair is organized in the month of November known as "Kolayat Fair" which Coincides with Pushkar fair when pilgrims take a holy dip in the Kolayat lake on the full moon day in the month of Kartik.

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.

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Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport service travellers headed for Bikaner is at Jodhpur.

By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. 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, Bikaner, Udaipur.

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.

Best time to come: Oct to March

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