A Historical city situated in the Northern parts of Rajasthan, Bikaner. The city was earlier known as Jangladesh. Bikaner has a very big history behind its formation into a city. And to witness that history one has to visit the place. The place can be easily reached by rail and road.
Getting around in Bikaner can be best done by hiring a Trishawas and Tongas (Horse Carts). As the streets are too narrow and busy for cars these provide easy approach from one place to another. The best part is they don’t get stuck in the mud.
Junagadh Fort in Bikaner was built by Raja Rai Singh. It is the fort of the Bikaner Royal Family. Also has a museum which displays weapons and ornaments of the previous era. The fort is one of the few forts of India that was never defeated. The wall of the fort depicts many stories of the Rajputs.
Laxmi Niwas Palace is another beautifully carved former residential place of the king of the Bikaner State, Maharaja Ganga Singh. It is a part of Lalgarh Place. The style of the architecture of the palace is Indo-Saracemic. It has now become a luxury hotel owned by Golden Triangle Fort and Palace pvt. Ltd. One need to spend a huge some to get a room booked in this palace.
Another Fort of the Rajputana family is Lalgarh. 32km from Bikaner we have Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok. The famous ‘Karni Mata’ is worshiped here as it is believed that she used to save Rajputs from all the problems. This Temple has a Rat infestation but the locals believe that to be holy. Seeing a certain White Rat is considered very auspicious. Be careful while steeping inside the temple you might crush a rat under your feet.
Bikaner has a centuries old Shiva Temple, popularly known as Shivbari Temple. The temple has 2 huge “Bawaris” (Water Reservoirs). It attracts thousands of devotees during a year. Gajner Palace is an incomparable jewel in the Thar Desert. It is built on the embankment of a lake. It was used as a hunting resort by the former Maharajas and visiting British dignitaries.
Other places to visit are Rampuriya Haveli, Jain Temple Bhandasar. Desert and Camel safari can be a good experience in the Thar Desert.Well the foodies need to visit Bhujia Bazar and Chai Patti. Markets named on famous Bikaneri Bhujia. You will fall in love with the Kachories and Samosas of Chai Patti.