Situated in the northern part of Rajasthan, the city of Bikaner was founded in the year 1486 by Rao Bikaji, a Rathore prince. The city derived its name Bikaner from the name of the founder-Prince Rao Bikaji. The prince set up his own kingdom in the barren wilderness which was known as Jangladesh. The city was constructed with the help of 500 soldiers and 100 cavalry horses. A wall of seven kilometers was built around the city to protect it from the desert. The wall has five entrances to the city.
Bhandasar Jain temple
Bikaner city is noted for its camel riding festivals and also known as the city of camels. It is also an important trade center between west Asian countries and Gujarat seaport. The descents of Bikaji ruled the city till the Indian independence. The city is also popularly known for its sweets and savories which include the Bikaner sweets and Bikaner bhujia. Most of the magnificent buildings in the city of Bikaner are made of Reddish Pink sandstone which is considered to be the major attraction of the city.
Important Attractions in the City
There are innumerable places in the city of Bikaner which are worth visiting. The city is also filled with magnificent and elegant Havellis and forts. Some of the most important places to visit include the following.
Junagarh Palace: Built with red sandstone and marble, this elegant palace is located within the fort of Junagarh. The palace includes some of the most beautiful artwork in the Indian history. The king’s bedroom still showcases some of the marvelous paintings and artifacts which symbolize the love for beauty and art. There is a beautiful arch doorway which leads to the Joramal temple.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
Gajner Palace: Another incomparable palace is the Gajner palace which was built on the embankment of a lake. The place is blessed with diverse flora and fauna. The palace was built by King Ganga Singh for the royal family as a relaxing resort to pursue their hunting passions.
Bikaner Havellis: Most of the Bikaner Havellis are more than 100 years old although the oldest Havelli is 400 years old. There are a large number of Havellis in Bikaner which served as homes to wealthy merchants. Most of these Havellis were known for its rich carvings, intricate designs, sprawling lawns and courtyards.
In addition to the above mentioned places, there are many other interesting sites to visit in Bikaner city. Some of these places include the Camel breeding farm, Devi Kund Sagar, Anup Mahal, Karni Devi Temple, Lakshmi Nath temple, Bhandeshwari Jain temple, Shivbari temple, Kapil Muni temple, Prachina Museumand and Lal Garh palace.
As Bikaner city is well connected to major cities in the country, it can be easily accessed by air, rail and road.
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