Bikaner

Covered in this Article : Fast Facts, Bikaner - Introduction, Tourist Places, Transportation, Accommodation, Tour Packages.

Fast Facts
City : Bikaner
Location : Rajasthan North West
Distance : Jaipur 354 kms, North West
Attractions : Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Devi Kund, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
Best Time To Visit : October - February

Introducing Bikaner
Bikaner lies in the north west of Rajasthan with international borders separating it from the adjacent country, Pakistan. The city falls in the desert lands of the Rajasthan. Bikaner stands established on elevated arid lands, its old part surrounded by walls that go for seven kms and marked by fives entrance gates. The place is famous for its unique culture and outlook, as a trade centre for woolen articles and for its savouring Rasgullahs, Bhujias and Papads.

The foundation of Bikaner was laid by Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji, in the year 1488. The place at that time was called Jangladesh and featured uninhabited desert lands. Soon after its foundation, the place developed into a popular city and derived its name from the founder. Bikaner is also famous as 'The Camel Country' and offers best camel rides in the world. The sand dunes, stretched out in artistic patterns; and camels, is a common sight at Bikaner. Add to this unique music, dance performances and the place turns out to be fantasy land.

Tourist Attractions At Bikaner
There are many tourist places located in the city where one can spend a good time. Some of these places are enlisted below :

Junagarh Fort : Junagarh Fort, an impressive medieval fort, was built by Raja Rai Singh in the year 1587 A.D. With its huge towers and battlements, the fort is one amongst the few who were never conquered. This fort is treasured with 37 palaces, temples and quite many pavilions. Many of these palace are rich decorated with frescoes and paintings. The palaces also portray marvellous mirror works.

Lalgarh Palace : This palace, built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, is an architectural wonder in the city of Bikaner. The palace features a medley of Rajputana, Mughal and European architecture and style of building. Built in red sandstone the palace has been converted into a grand hotel with spacious rooms and numerous paintings, that makes up the rich heritage collection.

Devi Kund : Devi Kund is the site of the cenotaphs built in the memory of Bika Royal Family. The cenotaphs are built in a typical Rajput architecture, featuring open canopies and a number of tombs, each built for the member of the family. The tomb of Maharaja Surat Singh is quite interesting and presents Rajput paintings on its ceiling.

Ganga Government Museum : This museum, also called as Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, exhibits the hunting trophies of the erstwhile Maharajas, wooden and metal crafts, glass artifacts, gilded paintings and some more artifacts.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary : Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary falls in one of the regions around Bikaner. The sanctuary is situated about 32 kms from the city, on the Jaisalmer Road. It is inhabited by wild boars, deer, antelopes, black bucks, desert foxes, hares and hundreds of bird species. The migratory water birds makes up a special feature of the sanctuary.

How To Reach
To reach Bikaner trains and buses are the convenient means. The city is connected by rail and road networks with the other cities of Rajasthan and beyond Rajasthan. Transportation services for Bikaner are given below:

By Rail : Bikaner is connected with railway lines to several destinations, including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Churu and Delhi. Trains regularly ply between these stations.

By Bus : Available for the city are short and long distance buses. The bus stand, that lies to the north of the city sees a regular arrival and departure of the buses. Some long distance buses ply between the city and destinations like Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur.

Places Where You Can Stay
Bikaner offers a great many accommodation facilities, depending upon the kind tourists prefer. There are budget hotels, deluxe accommodation and some high range hotels, serving in the region. Some popular ones include :

Budget - Evergreen Hotel, Hotel Kishan Palace, Hotel Deluxe, Hotel Meghsar Castle, Indra Lodge, Hotel Amit.

Deluxe - Hotel Palace View, Hotel Sagar, Bhairon Vilas, Hotel Sagar, Hotel Kalinga.

Desert Expeditions (13 Days) Features : The tour begins from the famous metropolitan city of India, Mumbai. You will get to explore the desert city of Rajasthan, Bikaner, and many other destinations including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Jaipur, Agra, New Delhi. There will be an early morning sight-seeing trips at Bikaner. From there on the tour will proceed to Mandawa and so on.

Romantic Maharaja (20 Days) Features : This tour package is a great treat - to reach Bikaner and some of the best romantic places in Rajasthan. The tour begins from Delhi and proceeds to the tourist hub - Rajasthan. Place you will be visiting include Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Narlai, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Gajner, Bikaner, Shekhavati. There will be trips to the famous attractions at Bikaner. You will be seeing places like Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace and Devi Kund at Bikaner.

Rajasthan Heritage Tour (17 Days) Features : With 17 days at your disposal you get to travel to some of the popular heritage places in the Rajasthan state. You will get a day to explore the popular Bikaner city. Make the best of your tour at a heritage hotel in this city. Trips to popular tourist attractions will also be arranged. Other destinations include Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra.

Reminiscences Of Rajasthan (19 Days) Features : For 19 days amuse yourself with the best attractions in Rajasthan state. The packages will take you to the famous cities and towns including Bikaner. At Bikaner you will be visiting the famous Junagarh Fort, Camel Breeding Farm and also you will be staying at Gajner Palace. Other destinations include Neemrana, Nawalgarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Manwar Desert Camp, Luni, Sardar Samand, Udaipur, Deogarh, Jaipur, Agra.

	The Desert Circuit (11 Days) Features : An adventurous tour package - takes you to the sand stretches of Rajasthan. Amongst the places to be visited is the city of Bikaner. Other places are Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer. At Bikaner start with a city tour, trip to Junagarh Fort, to Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum and an afternoon trip to Suraj Pole Gate.

All India Tour Package (20 Days) Features : The tour highlights the best tourist destinations in the country. It is a 20 days tour that takes you on around trip, starting from Mumbai and concludes at Varanasi. The destinations covered are Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho. The tour gives you one day to explore the Bikaner city. Local trips will be included in the tour.