Bikaner
Binaker’s history dates
back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji- a desendent
of the founder of Jodhpur(1459 A.D.), Rao Jodhaji, established his
kingdom here. Rao Jodhaji had five sons but Rao Bikaji was the most
enterprising of them. Bikaji chose a barren wilderness called ‘Jangladesh’
and trandormerd it to an impressive city, called Bikaner after the
founder’ name.
Culture
More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned for
the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an
inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting
grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers. The wells
of Bikaner: an important source of water are other attractions of
the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted
towers on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from
a distance.
Excursion
Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort was constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai
Singh, a general
in the army of mughal emperor Akhbar, with embellishments in the
form of palaces andluerious suites added by subsequent Maharajas.
This fort has a 986m-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two
entrances. The Surajpol or the 'Sun Gate' is the main entrance.
The palaces within the fort are on the southern side and make a
picturique ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks, towers and
windows. A major feature of fort and palaces is the superb quality
of stone carving. The handprints which can be seen close to the
Daulatpol commemorate the wives of Rajput soldiers lost in battles,
who committed sati on their husbands' funeral pyres.
Despite that fact Junagarh doesn't command hilltop position, as
do some of the Rajathan's other grand forts, it is no less imposing
and a credit to its planners and architects has never been conquered.
Lalgarh 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).
Situated 3km north of the city center this palace wa built bu
Maharaja Ganaga Singh in the memory of his father, Maharaja Lal
Singh
The Shri Sadul museum covers entire first floor of the palace.
The museum was established in 1076 and there's a reasonable collection
of artifacts and personal pocessions of the Bikaner Maharajas and
a brass vessel known as a tokna used to collect revenue which was
transported by camel to te Bikaner state treasury.
In front of the palace is a carriage from the maharaja's royal
train.
Ganga Golden Jublee Museum
This intresting museum is on the jaipur road. Exibits include terracotta
ware from the Gupta period, a range of Rajasthani traditional musical
instruments, miniature wooden models of Gajner and Lalgarh palaces
and a miniature of the royal Bikaner train with the roof folded
back to reveal its comfortable amenities. There is a seperate exibition
hall with antique carpets and royal vestments.
Other intresting exibits include decrees issued by the Mughals
to the Maharajas of Bikaner.There are also some fine oil paintings.The
sculptures include a beautiful and voluptuos image of Devi, and
a marble Jain Sculkpture of Saraswati which dates from the 11th
century. Top
Bhandasar Temple
Bhandasar Temple is dedicated to the fifth tirthankar Sumitnath,
and the building was commissioned in 1468 by a wealthy Jain merchant,
Bhandasa Oswal. It was completed after his death, in 1514.
The interior of the temple is stunning, with, unusually for a Jain
temple, a series of vibrant paintings. The pillers bear floral abesques
and stories that depict the lives of of the 24 Jain tirthankars.
It is said that 40,000kgs of ghee was used instead of water in the
mortar, which locals insist seeps through the floor on hot days.
On first floor of the three-story temple are beautiful miniatures
of the sentries of the gods. There are fine views out over the city
from the third floor, with the desert streching behind it to the
west.
Shiv Bari Temple
Enroute to Camel Breeding Farm is the Laleshwar Mahadev Temple (ShivBari).
Fortified by a high wall, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Maharaja Doongar Singh constructed it in the ninth century in the
memory of his father Maharaj Lall Singhji. The temple has a beautiful
wall panting of Nandi Bull facing the Shiva Lingam. This is located
on the way to the camel town.
Although it is not highlighted much , but it is definitely a place
one would like to spend some time. Top
Deshnok Karni Mata Temple
Deshnok is a village 30km south of Bikaner along the Jodhpur road.
A visit to Deshnok's fascinating
temple of Karni Mata, an incarnation of Durga, is not far for squeamish.
Here the holy rodents are considered to be incarnations of the storytellers,
and run riot over the temple complex.
Karni Mata lived in the 14th century and performed many miracles
during her life-time. When her youngest son, Lakhan, drowned, Karni
Mata ordered Yama, the god of Death, to bring him back to life.
Yama replied that he was unable to do this, but that Karni Mata,
is an incarnation of Durga, could restore Lakhan's life. This she
did, and decreed that members of her family would no longer die,
but would be incarnated as kabas (rats), and these kabas would returns
as members of her family. There are around 600 families in Deshnok
who claim both decent from Karni Mata and that they will be reincarnated
as kabas.
The temple is an important place of pilgrimage, with pilgrims being
disgorged every few minutes from buses. Before the temple, is a
beautiful marble facade with solid silver doors donated by Maharaja
Gaj Singh. Across the doorway to the inner sanctum are the repousse
(raised relief) silver doors - one panel shows the goddess with
her holy charges at her feet. An image of goddess is enshrined in
the sanctum. There are special holes around the temple courtyard
to fascinate the rats' movements, and a wire grille has been placed
over the courtyard to prevent the birds of prey and other predators
consuming the holy rodents.
It is considered quite auspicious to have a kaba run across your
feet. White kabas are quite rare, albeit there are one or two at
the temple and sightseeing one augurs well for your spiritual progress.
Kolayat Ji
A famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni (saint).
The temple is the venue for an annual fair held in the month of
Kartik (Oct.-Nov.) when thousands of devotees gather in large number
to take a sacred dip in the holy waters of the Kolayat lake on the
full moon day. A cattle fair, especially for the trading of camels
is a part of the festivities. The small oasis town is now an idyllic
picnic spot.
This Temple is fifty two kilometers towards Jaisalmer and is dedicated
to "Kapil Muni" who is fifth recreation of "Lord
Vishnu", there are 52 Ghats around this temple.
It is the Most important Pilgrimage Point for Hindus in Northern
Rajasthan after Pushkar.
Every year a big fair is organized in the month of November known
as "Kolayat Fair" which Coincides with Pushkar fair when
pilgrims take a holy dip in the Kolayat lake on the full moon day
in the month of Kartik.
Shopping
The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in redding-pink
sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural
legacy. Undulating lanes, colorful bazaars and bright and cheerful
folks make Bikaner and interesting experience.
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Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport service travellers headed for Bikaner is at
Jodhpur.
By Bus
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.
By Train
Several trains link it to important cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Bikaner,
Udaipur.
Getting around
The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient carvan routes that
came from West/Central Asia, made it a prime trade centre in the
times of the yore. Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and
is cirucmscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates.
Best time to come: Oct to March
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General Information & Accomdation info on Bikaner city of Rajasthan - India
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