Bikaner



About Bikaner



It is important for the tourists to know about Bikaner before traveling to the city situated in the heart of the desert. The kingdom of Bikaner was established in the 15th century when the valiant son of Rao Jodhaji, the founder of Jodhpur, enraged and provoked by his father, quit the palace to establish his own kingdom.

The detailed history of Bikaner reveals that the establishment of the kingdom was foretold by the mystic Karni Mata. It was in the year 1488 that the founder of the city, Rao Bikaji fortified the city that was called the city of Bikaner.

Bikaner, India is one of the most frequented desert cities of the state of Rajasthan. The geography of Bikaner reveals the topographic location of the region. The settlement has developed outside the fortified city. Vegetation of the region comprises of the sparse growth of the desert vegetation. With the construction of the Ganga canal, it has been possible for the people to engage in the agricultural production of other crops in the green area of Bikaner.

Bikaner is rich in culture and tradition and is one of the exponents of Rajasthani art and music. The famous people of Bikaner are the great patrons of performing and fine arts. The school of Utsa art finds its roots in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan. Folk music of Bikaner is reputed all round the globe. The fairs and the festivals of the city exhibit the richness of the cultural and traditional heritage of the city of Bikaner.

Bikaner is a famous tourist destination in Rajasthan. It is situated in the northwestern part of Rajasthan. Bikaner was founded in 1486 by Rao Bika. It is the fourth largest city in the state of Rajasthan. It is among those cities in Rajasthan that has still managed to maintain the grandeur of medieval India. Also known as camel country as Bikaner is extremely popular for its camel rides.

Tourist Attractions in Bikaner



Junagarh Fort
The Junagarh Fort is a famous tourist spot in Bikaner. It was constructed by Rai Singh in 1593. The monument is located 700 feet above sea level. The monument is so tall that it can be seen from quite a distance from the city. The Junagarh Fort is a massive edifice that has a 986 mts wall with 37 citadel and two entrances. The fort is decorated with ornaments and glass work. The major structures within the fort include the Hawa Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Badal Mahal, Anup Mahal, Phool Mahal, Dungar Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Rang Mahal, and Ganga Mahal.

Lalgarh Palace
The Lalgarh Palace is also one of the most attractive sights in Bikaner. It was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in memory of his father. Situated in the outskirts of the city the Lalgarh Palace is a massive structure with imposing balconies and gates. The palace also has a huge garden that is home to numerous flower beds and peacocks.

Camel Research Breeding Farm
This is an extraordinary breeding farm in India. It is located at a distance of 8 km from Bikaner. It is a huge and lush farm that is home to several camels. The farm is used for camel breeding and training.

Deshkone Temple
The Deshkone Temple attracts devotes from all parts of the country. Situated 30 km from Bikaner in the Deshnoke village this temple is one of the oldest religious shrines in the country. Dedicated to Mata Karni, the incarnation of Goddess Durga the temple has exclusive gates carved out of pure silver.

History



The history of Bikaner dates back to the late 15th century when enraged and provoked by his father, Rao Bikaji quit the palace in Marwar and established the kingdom of Bikaner in the midst of the desert surroundings. The prince fortified his kingdom in the year 1488. Since then, the city and the region has grown to be one of the reputed and richest kingdoms in the state of Rajasthan .

It was the prophecy of Karni Mata who is believed to have foretold a lot about Bikaner. The Goddess prophesied the establishment of the kingdom founded by Rao Bikaji. More Detail...

Geography



To know more about Bikaner, it is very essential to have an idea of the geography of Bikaner. The historic area lies very close to the Thar Desert. Bikaner is situated north to another famous city - Jaisalmer.

The Bikaner City has a geographical location of East Longitude 28°1' and North Latitude 73°19'. Situated at an average altitude of 797 Feet, Bikaner witnesses extreme temperatures. The summers in Bikaner are unbearably hot with temperatures rising above the 48° Centigrade mark. In the winters, the temperatures come down near 4° Centigrade. More Detail...

Culture



Culture of Bikaner include a wide array of fabulous features that have evolved in the place over the past centuries. The food of Bikaner is an inherent trait of its cultural dynamism. Since Bikaner is a dry region, hence most of the dishes prepared in Bikaner involve butter and buttermilk. Pakodi, gatta ki sabji and khata are some of the delectables of Bikaner.

The art and craft of Bikaner is another major appeal of the culture of the place. The carpet weaving industry of Bikaner is one of the renowned sectors of Rajasthan which has gained popularity due to the mastery of the local craftsmen. Meenakari and other similar jewelery works are also a a part of the art and craft of Bikaner. More Detail...

Fairs and Festivals



Bikaner fairs and festivals reflect the dynamic and vibrant cultural heritage of the place. There are a number of festivals that are celebrated in Bikaner from a very long time such as Gangaur and Kolyat Fair.

The Gangaur festival of Bikaner is a major occasion of the place which is followed for 18 complete days. More Detail...

Education



With the presence of top of the line schools, standard colleges, modern technical and training schools, Bikaner Education has developed a lot. The majestic city of Bikaner has two universities - the Rajasthan Agricultural University of Bikaner and the University of Bikaner.

Education in Bikaner has reached a decent stage and today the city is considered to be one of the most important educational hubs of the state. Students from all part of the country and even from foreign countries come here to study in the prestigious colleges. More Detail...

How to Reach Bikaner



  • How to Reach Bikaner by Air:
    The nearest airport to Bikaner is Jodhpur. Jaipur is also extremely well connected by air to all the major Indian cities like; Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

  • How to Reach Bikaner by Rail:
    Bikaner shares a strong railway network with cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Allahabad. Bikaner Mail and Bikaner Express are the two most common trains that run to and from Bikaner.

  • How to Reach Bikaner by Road:
    Bikaner is also extremely well connected by road to all major cities in India. There are a number of state and National Highways that link the city with a host of other cities and towns in India. More Detail...

Economy



Bikaner economy has a multi-faceted character that is dependent on several key external forces. Agriculture in Bikaner is a primary sector of the economy and contributes largely to the city's net revenue. Agriculture also happens to be a means of subsistence of the majority of Bikaner's populace. Water is a major area of concern in the dessicated terrains of northwest.

The local canals account for the city's irrigation. The principal crops that are cultivated in Bikaner include millets, barley and wheat that can survive under harsh and unfavorable physical conditions. More Detail...



Last Updated on 07/30/2013