Founded by Rao Bika ji, the son of the Jodhpur founder, Bikaner's raging sandstorms and stark desert landscape had little to start out with. The caravan routes made for a good loot and the rulers made it to the good books of the Mughals and the British, gaining power and prestige amongst other princely states. Maharaja Ganga Singh won several concessions from the British through his diplomatic negotiations that included entertaining key officers at his hunting lodge at Gajner.
The Camel Research Farm is a huge tourist attraction at Bikaner today and is one of its kind in Asia. Bikaner has made it to the world tourism map as one of the popular Desert Triangle tourist circuit in India, along with Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
Places to See
With its splendid Havelis, Palaces and Temples, Bikaner is one of the sandstone jewels of Rajasthan. At Bikaner, you must see:
- Junagarh Fort
- Lalgarh Palace
- Camel Research farm
- Devi Kund
- Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shiv Bari Temple
- Deshnok Temple
- Kolayat Ji
- Kalibangan
- Bhandasar Temple
Shopping
The narrow lanes snaking through the Katla are lined with shops selling tie-and-dye fabrics, camel leather footwear and local handicrafts. Embroidered jootis and miniature paintings of Bikaner School are popular buys here. Good pieces of Gesso Work (made from camel hide and painted in gold) unique to the region are worthy of an artwork collection.
Where to Stay
Accommodations at Bikaner range from cheap lodgings and budget hotels to paradisiacal luxury heritage hotels fitted with royal comforts. Some of the hotels we recommend at Bikaner are:
How to Reach Bikaner
Bikaner is easily accessible by road, rail or air.
By Road: Well-maintained roads connect Bikaner to nearby major cities such as Jaipur and Delhi. Government and private bus services and taxis ply frequently on this route.
By Rail: Indian railway network and train services connect Bikaner to major Indian cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kolkata. Best trains to reach Bikaner from Delhi are Chetak Express, Bikaner Express and Bikaner Mail; and Kalka Express from Jodhpur.
By Air: Nearest airport to Bikaner is at Jodhpur, 235 km from the city. The Jodhpur Airport has regular flights from Delhi, Jaipur and other major Indian cities.
