Places to Visit Bikaner in 1 Day, Attractions, History & Things To Do
Bikaner is a "cultural paradise and a traveler's haven" situated in the middle of the Thar Desert. Colour, celebration, and cultural wonders abound in Bikaner, with its splendour in architecture, art, and culture.The city's historic palaces, forts, and camels strolling among the stunning sand dunes will captivate you. Appropriately referred to as one of Rajasthan's three great desert kingdoms, the glittering city evokes a pleasant bygone age of the Rajputs with its old-world elegance and lavish havelis. In addition to being recognised as the "camel country" for producing some of the most famous riding camels, Bikaner is home to one of the two British biplane aircraft that were deployed during World War 1.
Among the main attractions are the Sand Dunes and the Desert Safari. Additionally, Bikaner is well-known for hosting the worldwide Camel festival, which attracts travellers from all over the world. Additional attractions here include sampling local specialities like Thandai and Bhujias, shopping for intriguing Ivory and Lacquer products, or just taking in the area's rich cultural legacy through wall paintings and handicrafts.
Bikaner - The City Of Forts And Temples
Founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and situated in the centre of the Thar desert, Bikaner is home to numerous temples and forts that showcase Rajasthan's rich cultural legacy. The Junagarh Fort, formerly known as Chintamani, is one of the well-known locations here that you should not miss. It also has treasures from Bikaner's ancient past. Visitors have always been impressed by its elaborate and spotless interior decor on the walls and ceiling.
Thirty km from Bikaner, near Deshnok, is the Hindu shrine known as Karni Mata shrine, or the Rat Temple. There aren't many white rats here, which are thought to be the most sacred, even though thousands of rats are worshipped in this temple. The 19th-century Lalgarh Palace has been transformed into a heritage hotel. Red sandstone is used for the desires. Its architecture combines European, Muslim, and Rajput architectural elements. Tourists are drawn to its expansive gardens and exquisite designs. One of the most exquisite Jain temples is Bhandasar Jain Temple, which is well-known for its paintings and the fact that 40,000 kg of ghee were used in its construction.
It has three floors, and the top floor offers a bird's-eye perspective. The Hindu deities Vishnu and Laxmi are depicted in statues in Bikaner's oldest temple, Lakshmi Nath Temple. Bikaner is home to numerous additional historic temples and forts in addition to these locations.
History of Bikaner
Known as "Jangladesh," Bikaner was a desolate region that was governed by the Rajputs in the fifteenth century. Rao Bika founded the city that bears his name and constructed the well-known Junagarh Fort in 1488. The city, which is rightfully regarded as the oasis between the Thar Desert, served as a vital hub for trade between Gujarat and Central Asia. Raja Rai Singh ruled from 1571 to 1611 AD, during which time Bikaner saw significant growth and construction. He was awarded for his conquest of the Mewar Kingdom and his numerous wars and honours. Although the Royal family continued to rule the city, the kingdom was taken over by the British Empire in the 18th century. Eventually, the family shifted to the Lalgarh Palace where it still resides to date.
Culture of Bikaner
Bikaner's lively and dynamic culture offers you a glimpse of the customs, behaviours, and residents of the city. People love their culture and, particularly men, wear Rajasthani traditional attire, such as dhoti kurtas for men and ghaghra choli for women. Even on typical days, the majority of males are observed wearing pagdis. The predominant religion practiced by the populace is Hinduism, and the prevalent language is Rajasthani. However, some people speak Hindi as well. Bikaner's food is very delicious. Butter and butter milk are used to prepare the majority of the food. Among the treats are dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, kheechdi, pakode, and so forth.
The "Camel Festival," which features a colourful procession and display of decorated camels, is one of Bikaner's major celebrations. Events like camel racing, camel rides, and performances of folk music and dances take place after the high-bred camels are displayed. Bikaner is also a centre for carpet weaving, miniature painting, and meenakari, or ornate stone art. Another well-known art form that dates back to Raja Rai Singh's time is Utsi art, which consists of golden meenakari work on camel skin.
Places to visit in Bikaner in 1 day
Arrive at Bikaner in the morning. By 11 a.m., after getting clean and unwinding, begin your city exploration. You can go to Junagarh Fort first. A tour of the entire fort will take two to three hours. You can shop for traditional goods and handicrafts along Station Road or Kote Gate after lunch. Local goods including clothing, shoes, artwork, and upholstery abound in these markets. Remember to stop by Chotu Motu Joshi, a well-known confectionery.
Places to visit in Bikaner day 2
Visit Karni Mata Temple first thing in the morning to begin your day. Due to the temple's 35-kilometer distance from Bikaner, the entire trip, including travel time and exploration, will take about three hours. You can then go to the Rampuriya Haveli and the Lalgarh Palace. In the evening, you can also visit a few Jain temples, such as the Laxmi Nath Temple and the Bhandasar Jain Temple.
You may see many migratory birds at the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, which is around 27 kilometres from the city, if you are here on a different day. You should go to the National Research Centre for Camels after lunch. There are many camels at this institute, which is around 8–10 kilometres from the main city, and you may learn a lot about the many camel types.
As an alternative, you can arrange a camel safari with any of the organisers if you want to prolong your vacation by two or three extra days.
Weather: 17 - 27°C
Ideal duration: 1-2 days
Best Time: October to March
