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Destination Guide India > Bikaner
DESTINATION
GUIDE INDIA - BIKANER
ABOUT BIKANER CITY
BIKANER-
If ever
beauty has bloomed in a desert, it has been at Bikaner.
Founded in 1488 AD by Rao Bika Ji, it is located in north west
part of Rajasthan state in INDIA. The imposing palaces,
beautiful and richly sculptured temples of red and yellow sand
stones display some of the finest creations of Rajput
civilization. It's lust for "dessert" or affection for
"desert" that tickles every heart to visit Bikaner.
Although
Bikaner was intrinsically linked by blood to the rest of
Rajputana, historically it charted a different course. The
Rathore-Mughal friendship really flourished especially during
Akbar’s reign. After the Maharaja of Jaipur and his son, Raja
Rai Singh of Bikaner was the ‘highest ranked Hindu’ in Akbar’s
court. Relations worsened later thanks to Aurangzeb’s bigotry,
but Bikaner holds the distinction of maintaining its
independence for the best part of 500 years. In a sense if
Jaipur is called the pink city, Bikaner is no less with the
colour a few shades deeper here, and a great deal more
pervasive.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES - BIKANER CITY
Junagarh
Fort
This fort was built by Raja Rai
Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner,
 who
ruled form 1571 to 1612 AD. Raja Rai Singhji could Marshal the
revenues of a Kingdom increased by the conquest of half Marwar
and grant of half Gujrat and made use of ample funds from
Jodhpur and Western Deccan for the construction of this fort.
A contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar and Emperor Jehangir,
he held a very high rank in the Imperial court. As a reward
for this services as military commander, he was granted fields
of Gujrat and Burhanpur by the Emperor. During his tenure in
imperial service he traveled far and wide which gave him
vision and great ideas about art and architecture and we can
see how meticulously these ideas were incorporated in the
architectural styles of his building in Junagarh fort.
Bhandasar 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 defense 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 AHMEDABAD 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.
HOW TO REACH BIKANER
»
Air : The nearest airport is AHMEDABAD 235km
» Rail : Bikaner is connected with Delhi,
Jaipur, AHMEDABAD, Bhatinda, Kalka and Howarh (Kolkata)
Some important train connection are :
Kalka Express (Bikaner-AHMEDABAD)
Bikaner Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner),
Chetak Express (Delhi-Sarai Rohila)
Bikaner Mail (Delhi Sarai Rohila-Bikaner)
»
Road : Bikaner is connected by road with the major cities
of India. Some important distance are : Delhi 456km Jaipur
334km, Jaisalmer 333 km
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