Jain Haveli: Impressions from Bikaner
Bikaner, the city of sand dunes, vast deserts, breathtaking palaces and beautiful havelis is a symbol of pride for the state of Rajasthan. The city boasts of some of the most captivating havelis across the country. A palatial house surrounded by a courtyard, standing tall amidst narrow lanes built with red sand stone - havelis take one back to the past of kings and queens.
The Jain havelis belonged to the rich and the wealthy merchants of Rajasthan who earned their living in far off lands for more than half the year and returned to their beautiful havelis for a rejuvenating and relaxing time. It is said that these havelis are a reflection of these wealthy merchants who had great appreciation for beauty, art and culture. Belonging mostly to Kotharis, Vaids, the Rampurias and the Dagas, the designs and the detailed carvings of these havelis justify the persona of each craftsman and are incomparable to any other construction in the world.
The Foundation
Bikaner has an intriguing past enveloping it. Before becoming the famous city of Bikaner, the place was an arid land known as Jangladesh. Rao Bhika, a Rathore Rajput, founded the city of Bikaner, when he realised he will not inherit the title of Maharaja from his father. With a few of his warriors in tow, Rao Bhika left Marwar and established his own kingdom, now known as Bikaner. Gradually the city prospered with some of the finest havelis of all times, with the oldest haveli dating back to around 400 years.
Location
To have a memorable and complete tour of the havelis, you need to pass through the regions of Gogagate, Dhaddon ka Chowk, Rangari Chowk, Assanion ka Chowk, Mohta Chowk, BK School, Jassaur Gate, Binnanion ka Chowk and Daga chowk.
How to reach
The city of Bikaner is well connected to different parts of other country and the world through various modes of transportation. The nearest airport to the city is Jodhpur, about 241 km away, marking a landing site for both international and domestic flights.
The city is also very well connected by railways, touching most of the metro cities. The famous train Palace on Wheels also runs through the city and offers a truly royal experience. Travelling by road to this historical city is a journey in itself. If you'd rather travel by bus, the city runs local and interstate bus services for Bikaner.
Best time to visit
Situated in the heart of the northern desert, Bikaner has extreme climates, hot summers and chilly winters. To beat the warm weather, the best time to visit is during the months of October to March, when the weather is comfortable and pleasant. The months of July to November witness moderate downpour, making the atmosphere humid and travelling an inconvenience.
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Last Updated on : April 28, 2014
