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Rajasthan Travel Guide » Bikaner Travel
About Bikaner

Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of
sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's
lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished
for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of
the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world. The ship of
the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides doing transportation
duties, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender
minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
The history of Bikaner dates back to 1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji
founded his kingdom. Bikaji was one the five sons of Rao Jodhaji the illustrious
founder of Jodhpur. But Rao Bikaji was the most adventurous of them. It
is said that an insensitive remark from his father about his whispering
in the Durbar provoked Bikaji to set up his own kingdom towards the north
of Jodhpur. The barren wilderness called Jangladesh became his focus point
and he transformed it to an impressive city. He accomplished his task with
100 cavalry horses and 500 soldiers, and established his kingdom on 84 villages
abandoned by the 'Shankhlas'. When Bikaji died in 1504 his rule had extended
to over 3000 villages.
Modern Bikaner is the result of the foresight of its most eminent 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 a prime trade 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, colourful bazaars with bright and
cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting experience to explore.
Bikaner Climate
Summer : 41.8 degree C 28.0 degree C
Winter : 23.2 degree C 5.0 degree C
Rainfall : 26-44 cms.
How to Reach Bikaner
Air : The nearest airport is Jodhpur which is 253kms away.
Train : Bikaner has railway connections to several destinations including
Jaipur, Churu, Jodhpur and Delhi. The tourist reception centre has a useful
chart with details of timing and cost.
Road : The bus stand is north of the city centre, almost opposite
the road leading to the lalgarh palace hotel. There are frequent express
buses to the following destinations: Agra, Ahemdabad, Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur,
Barmer, Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur.
Bikaner Travel Reservation Form