Situated in Northern
Rajasthan, an important centre on the great caravan trade routes
of old was founded in 1488 by Rao Bikaji - a descendant of the
founder of Jodhpur. The most famous of all structures in Bikaner
is the massive Fort with it's 986mtr. long wall, 37 bastions, 2
entrances and exquisite quality of stone carving seen on the
palaces and havelis inside the fort.
(Distance from Jodhpur 243 Kms, Approx time 6 Hrs.)
(Distance from Jaisalmer 300 Kms, Approx, time 8 Hrs.)
Places of Interest
The Lalgarh
Palace
Made of red
sandstone with beautiful lattice-work is 3kms from the city
and has now been turned into a luxury hotel, the Royal family
occupy part of the palace.
Bhandsagar
Temple
Bhandsagar
Temple - 5kms from Bikaner is the Bhandsagar temple complex.
The most important temples here are the 16th century
Parshwanath Jain Temple, the Chintamani Temple and the Adinath
Temple.
Devikund
The site of the
cenotaphs of the Royal family is at a distance of 8kms. The
government-managed camel breeding farm, perhaps the only one
of it's kind in Asia, is 10kms away from Bikaner.
Gajner
Gajner - 32kms
away is Gajner, the site of an old royal summer palace and a
wildlife sanctuary.
The Karni
Mata Temple at Deshnok
The Karni Mata
Temple at Deshnok - 33kms from Bikaner is famous because of
the profusion of rats, which are considered holy and even
worshipped. The temple has huge silver gates and exquisite
marble carving.
