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Bikaner was founded in the 15th century by Rao Bikaji, the son
of the Rathor raja of Marwar (Jodhpur). Bikaji was the second
son of Rao Jodhaji, the real founder of Jodhpur state, its
magnificent fort and city, Bika left Jodhpur in a huff with a
few kinsmen and followers because his father taunted him in open
 urbar
about expansionist schemes with his uncle, Rao Kandhal. He set
up his own kingdom in the desert of the north. Supported by the
blessing of a great female mystic, Karni Mata, whom he had met
along the way and who had predicted that his fame and glory
would someday exceed that of his father, Rao Bika fought the
local desert clans for thirty years, and ultimately carved out a
kingdom approximately the size of England. This desert city was
a major trade center on the old caravan route linking central
Asia and North India with the Gujarat sea ports long before a
Rathor Prince, Bika, conquered it in 1486 A.D. and called it
Bikaner.
Fairs & Festivals at Bikaner
Camel Fair
The Camel Festival is an event organized in Bikaner by the
Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan,
every year in the month of January. Desert region's Folk dances
and Music, add on to what is otherwise an exclusive camel
affair. A festival when the ships of the desert are seen at
their best. Camels fascinate tourists from all over the world
with their movements, charm and grace. A spectacle of unusual
camel performances: camel races, camel dances, and the bumpy,
neck shaking camel rides.
Activities
The festival starts with the procession of beautifully decorated
camels. The procession heads towards the open sand grounds.
Here, the festivities begin in earnest. The Camel Pageant is
held on the first day wherein the camel owners show off their
Camels' decorations and jewellery. Camel dance performances are
also hel. A competition for best decorated camel, fur cutting
design, camel milking and the best camel hair cut is organized
The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the
slightest direction of their drivers. Colourful bridles,
bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows
on dusky sands, cast a magical spell.
In this festival tea and sweets prepared by camel milk are made
available to the visitors interested in enjoying them.
On the second day, the fleetest camels of the region take part
in the camel races. The competition is fierce as the best camels
vie for the honors. Thousands of excited tourists and locals
cheer the favourites. On both days, the evening ends with a
rendezvous with the renowned folk artists of Rajasthan. The
jubilant, skirt swirling dances, the awe inspiring fire dances
and many other equally interesting performances entertain the
visitors. The grand finale is a magnificent display of fireworks
which illuminates the desert city of Bikaner.
Places to Visit at Bikaner
Junagarh
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of
Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure
 encircled
by a moat and has some beautiful palaces within. These palaces,
made in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of
courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the
structure.
The Suraj Pol or Sun Gate
It is the main entrance to the fort. Among the notable of these
palaces are the exquisitely beautiful Chandra Mahal or the Moon
Palace with marvelous paintings, mirrors and carved marble
panels, and the Phool Mahal or Flower Palace ornate with glass
and mirror work. Other palaces worth visiting are the Anup Mahal,
Karan Mahal, Dungar Niwas, Ganga Niwas, Gaj Mandir and Rang
Mahal, Gigantic columns, arches and graceful screens adorn the
palaces from within.
Lal Garh Palace
The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, the palace was
built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father
Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has beautiful latticework and
filigree work. Sprawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and
dancing peacocks make it a not-to-be missed visual treat. Part
of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a
museum known as Shri Sadul Museum. The museum covers the entire
first floor of the palace and houses well preserved old
photographs and trophies of wildlife. Timings 10.00 hr. to 16.30
hr. Entry fee Rs.5.00(closed on Wednesday).
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest
collections of terra-cotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of
Bikaner school and coins. The exhibits are splendid masterpieces
of Harappan civilization, Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of
the late classical time. Timings 10.00 hr. to 16.30 hr. Entry
fee Rs.3.00(closed on Friday).
The museum has a separate section displaying exclusive arts and
crafts of the region.
How Get To Bikaner
By Air:
The nearest airport service travellers headed for Bikaner is at
Jodhpur.
By Rail:
Several trains link it to important cities like Delhi, Jaipur,
Bikaner, Udaipur.
By Road:
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned
buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. India Gate) to Bikaner. The
roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hrs from Jaipur.
You can also come by taxi |
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 Rajasthan is one of the 26 states that, along, with
seven union territories forms the republic of India. Rajasthan
is one of the 26 states that, along, with seven union
territories forms the republic of India. Located in the
north-west, it shares its borders with Punjab, Hariyana, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and and Gujarat, The Complete Rajasthan
-- Take a desert- burning sand in the long summers, large tracts
of dune-decked plains, with scarce water and even scarcer
vegetation and create a habitation with the mind's eye, if you
can. And the come to Rajasthan to see if you imagination can
begin to match where reality takes over.
History
Archaeological and historical evidence shows a continuous human
habitation of the area dating back 100,000 years. Between the
7th and the 11th century AD, several dynasties arose, with
Rajput strength reaching its peak at the beginning of the 16th
century. Emperor Akbar brought the Rajput states into the Mughal
Empire; by early 19th century, they allied with the Marathas.
Later, the British established supremacy in the region.
Rajasthan soon emerged as a centre of Indian nationalism. When
the new constitution went into effect in 1950, Rajput princes
surrendered their powers to the Indian Union.`
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