Bikaner
The
royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert
State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes.
Bikaner retains the medieval
splendor that pervades the city's lifestyle 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 well of
Bikaner-an important source of water are another attraction of the city. These
are built on high plinth with slender minareted towers on each of the Four Corners
and can be noticed even from a distance.
Bikaner's history date backs
to 1488A.D. when a Rathore Prince. Rao Bikaji- a descendant of the founder of
Jodhpur(1459A.D.) Rao Jodhaji, established his kingdom here. Rao Jodhaji had five
sons but Rao Jodhaji had five sons but rao Bikaji was the most enterprising of
them.
Bikaji
chose a barren wilderness called "jangladesh" and transformed it to
an impressive city, called Bikaji after the Founder's Name. The strategic location
of Bikaner on the ancient caravan routes that came from west/Central Asia, made
it a Prime trade center in the times of the year.
Bikaner stands on a slightly
raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five
gates.
The magnificent forts and palaces created with delicacy in reddish-pink,
sandstone, bear testimony to its historical and architectural legacy.
Undulating
lanes, colorful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting
experience.
Places
To SeeBhandasar Jain Temple (5km) : Beautiful 16th
century A.D. Jain temple dedicated to the 13rd Trirthankra.
Camel
Research Farm (8km) :
Spend a day with indispensable ship of the desert
at their camel research and breeding centre-one of its kind in Asia.Timing 15.00hrs
to 17.00hrs (Closed on Sundays and government holidays) Photography prohibited.
The farm extends over 2000 acres of semiarid land is managed by the central Government.
The camel crops of Bikaner were a famous fighting force during the Raj and are
still an important part of the desert warfare and defence through the border security
Force (BSF)
Devi Kund (8km) : Ayoyal crematorium with several
ornamented cenotaphs or "chhatris' built in the memory of the Bika dynasty
rulers. Maharaja Suraj Singh chhatri is the most impressive of all creative entirely
in white marble with spectacular Rajput painting on the ceiling
Gajner
Wildlife Sanctuary (32km) : The lush foliage of woods on the Jaisalmer
road are a heaven to nilgai chinkara, black buck, wild coar and folk of imperial
sand grouse. The Gajner palace a summer retreat of the king stands on the bank
of the lake and has been converted into a hotel.
Shiv Bari Temple (6km)
: Built by Doongar Singhji in the late 10th century. The temple in surrounding
by an embattlement wall. It has beautiful painting and a bronze Nandi facing the
Shiva Lingam.
Deshnok's Karni Mata Temple (30km) : The famous
600 year old temple on the Jodhpur road dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation
of Goddess Durga. The temple has huge intricately carved silver gates, which were
donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh The most interesting thing about the temple are
the rats who scamper freely within the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. They are
regarded as sacred and are fed by priests and devotees owing to the belief that
they will be reincarnated as holy men.
Kolayatji (50km) : 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 festivals. The small oasis town is now an idyllic picnic
spot.
Kalibangan (205km) : The extensive remains of the pre-Harappan
and harroan civilization found at this are of immense interest to archeology enthusiasts.
Bikaner City Tour
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