Bikaner

Bikaner in Rajasthan is famous for its Old Havelis and palaces. Bika, one of the fourteen sons of Rao Jodha, founded Bikaner in the year 1486. Lying in the north of the desert state, Bikaner city is dotted with numerous sand dunes. Popularly called the camel country, Bikaner is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The exotic camel safaris, its gorgeous forts and the worship of thousands of holy rats at Karni Mata temple are some of the most interesting aspects of Bikaner. The camel festival at Bikaner, held in the month of January, is also an event worth witnessing for people interested in knowing the actual color of the place.

Modern Bikaner is the product of the foresight of its most distinguished ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887 1943), whose reformative zeal set the pace for Bikaner transformation from a principality to a premier princely state. The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient caravan routes that came from West/Central Asia made it prime trades centre in those times.

Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Surging lanes, colorful bazaars with bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting experience to explore.