Bikaner is a very underappreciated city. It embodies all of Rajasthan's vivacity, along with its ancient forts, vibrant structures, saris, turbans, and desert. It is, however, much less visited by tourists than the major towns, making it the ideal location to experience some of the 'authentic' Rajasthani charms. Bikaner, one of the very first cities to be founded, still exhibits its old splendor in the form of palaces and forts made of red sandstone that have weathered the test of time. The city is fittingly known as "camel country" and is home to a few of the finest riding camels in the world. One of the biggest camel breeding and research ranches is located there, but that’s not all you’ll see many more quirky things here.
The city is embellished with enormous, magnificent forts and palaces that reveal the wealth of their kings to the outside world. These forts are so powerful that in spite of spending so many years building them, they still remained tall, untouched by the passage of time. Aside from the historical relics, the city is a hotspot for foodies because of its delectable foods.
A Peek In the History:
The Rathore prince Rao Bikaji, who formed the empire in 1488, is credited with giving Bikaner its beginnings. One of Rao Jodhaji's five sons, Bikaji, is said to have departed his father's Durbar in irritation after his renowned founder of Jodhpur made an offensive comment. Bikaji wandered far, and so when he arrived across the wilderness known as Jangladesh, he made the decision to found his own realm and build an outstanding metropolis there. One of the two British biplane versions that were used during World War I is located in Bikaner. The British gave them to Maharaja Ganga Singh, who was the city's monarch at the time.
How to reach:
- Airway: NAAL Civil Airport is the closest airport. It serves the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan as a domestic airport and Indian Air Force Station. It is in Nal, which is 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of the city. However, it is accessible by limited connectivity. Next best option is Jodhpur airport which is 251 kms away. It’ll take a 4 hour drive to reach Bikaner from Jodhpur.
- Roadway: There are many bus routes that connect Bikaner to other cities. You can select a certain bus service based on your preferences, your budget, and the amount of time needed to travel between cities. Options include premium coaches, along with other state-owned public buses. If you intend to go to Bikaner through the night, it is advised that you pick a sleeper bus for a relaxing trip.
- Railway: Bikaner Junction and Lalgarh Railway Station are Bikaner's two railheads. The fact that both stations are inside the city and are just around 6 kilometers apart from one another explains why most travelers prefer the rail. Bikaner is interconnected with most Indian cities by a reliable and well-connected rail network.
Climate and best time to visit:
Summer (May – September): 28 – 43 °C (82.4–107.6 °F)
Winter (October – April): 4 – 23.2 °C (24.8–73.8 °F).
The winter season, which lasts from October to March, is the ideal time to explore Bikaner. Every January, there is a camel festival. It might get down to 4 degrees. However, given the lovely weather, now is the ideal time to visit Bikaner. The remainder of the year is quite hot and ought to be avoided. Extreme winters and summers are common in Bikaner. The days are oppressively hot from March through June, reaching a high of 46 degrees Celsius. During this time of year, dust storms are fairly frequent.
Ideal Days to stay:
It takes about two days to visit Bikaner and tour the area. On your initial day, you can see the main sights, such as the Gajner Palace, Lalgarh Palace, Junagarh Fort, and much more.
Top Attractions To Explore:
- JUNAGARH FORT
The invincible fortress of Junagarh has the reputation of never being conquered. Raja Rai Singh, one of Emperor Akbar's most illustrious generals, built it in the year 1588. Guests may take in the stunning array of patios, terraces, pavilions, and windows inside the fort compound, which is home to several spectacular palaces made of red sandstone and marble.
- THE RAMPURIA HAVELI
There are various havelis (elite residences) in Bikaner, with the Rampuria Group of Havelis serving as the most well-known collection. Every feature of the havelis, whether they are jharokhas (casements), gateways, latticed apertures, divankhanas, Gumaharias, or cellars, is absolutely exotic since they are constructed of Dulmera (red) stone. Each jharokha has blossoms and foliage to add a good combination. Highest quality golden craftsmanship is used to embellish these huge havelis. Additionally, people can see a lot of Victorian influences in their style. In Rampuria Havelis, the wooden carvings are of the utmost quality. The havelis, which are equally spaced, are very magnificent.
- Karni Mata Temple
One of the most popular tourist spots in Bikaner is this temple, also known as the Karni Mata Mandir. The temple honors Karni Mata, whom the locals consider to be a manifestation of Goddess Durga, the benevolent Mother Goddess of Hinduism. The Karni Mata Mandir in Bikaner is well-known not for its setting or decor but rather for housing more than 25,000 rats that roam all around temple grounds at will. The guests' and followers' feet are frequently stepped on by these critters as they emerge from gaps between the walls and flooring.
- JORBEED
If you are interested in seeing vultures, Bikaner in Rajasthan is among the greatest sites to go. But to go to Jorbeed, you must travel for around 12 kilometers outside of the city. Jorbeed is your "place of opportunity" if you enjoy birding. Among the top locations to view raptors is Jorbeed. Crows are as abundant as steppe eagles, griffon vultures, and Egyptian vultures in this region. You will almost never come across a tree in this area without some sort of raptor perched on it, so it's a place you'll have to get used to. The main attraction of a trip to Jorbeed is the largest gathering of eagles and vultures in Asia.
Accommodations Recommendations:
If visitors who are eager to explore this city are given the proper kind of lodgings, their trip can become exciting, one-of-a-kind, and unforgettable. This is demonstrated by a thorough examination of the best hotels in Bikaner. The historic hotels in Bikaner, which once served as royal palaces, havelis, and forts, are renowned for entertaining their visitors like royalty. Three-star, two-star, and budget hotels are also available in the city.
Few of the top places to stay are:
Narendra Bhawan · Hotel Jaswant Bhawan · Karina Homestay · The Prince Haveli · Udai Niwas - a boutique homestay
