Bikaner Destination invites and welcomes you to tours to Bikaner, one of India’s most worthwhile visiting cities as part of Rajasthan Tours. To make your tours to Bikaner more convenient, we are providing you with a detailed Bikaner City Guide. Information given by us on Bikaner Travel Guide will surely be very useful to you Bikaner Destination.

Bikaner Fast Facts :

• Founder : Rao Bikaji- a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodha Ji.
• Distance : Jodhpur (245 km), Jaisalmer (330 km), Jaipur (321 km), Ajmer (290 km), Gajner (32 km), Deshnok (40 km), Khimsar (153 km), Mandawa (190 km), Delhi, (460 km)
• Location : Situated in Northeast of Rajasthan.
• Area : 38.10 Sq. Km.
• Population : 6, 42,550 (approximately)
• Temperature : Max 45 ºC, Min 37 ºC (summer); Max 31 ºC, Min 7 ºC (winter).
• Languages : Hindi, English, Bikaneri, Marwari and Rajasthani.
• Major Attractions : Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum, Camel Breeding Farm and Research Center.
• Excursions : Gajner Palace, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, Devi Kund Sagar, Katariasar Village.
• Best Time to Visit : October to March.

Bikaner Information

Bikaner Destination is one of Rajasthan, India ‘s cities most worth a visit. Bikaner ‘s town still retains its old charm in the form of its ancient buildings, beautiful havelis, elegant palaces and wonderful temples. These all depict the Bikaner Destination culture and history. Though you can fly to Rajasthan , India as part of tours in Bikaner, You’ll find there’s a lot more to offer you mesmerizing experiences in Bikaner Destination. Bikaner plays an significant part in the Rajasthan Tourism boom. Bharatpur tour is actually itself a major tourist attraction in Rajasthan. Without having a trip to Bikaner, one can not imagine complete tours to Rajasthan, India.

The town of Bikaner is founded in 1448 by Rao Bikaji- a descendant of Jodhpur ‘s founder, Rao Jodha Ji. Bikaner Destination is renowned for its majestic forts, elegant palaces, beautifully designed havelis, and Camel Breeding Farm & Research Centre, which is only one of its kind in Asia. Come to Rajasthan and enter Bikaner tour and learn more about Bikaner City, also known as ‘Camel City’ and ‘Camel Country.’

You will also have to face Bikaner’s culture and history in the form of its various magnificent forts & palaces, terrific temples, and annual camel festival held in the month of January during your tours to Bikaner Destination. Bikaner town is also famous for its lip-smacking snacks, bujiya, and sweets. Learn more on Bikaner attractions in this article on the Bikaner City Guide.

Major Attractions in Bikaner – Bikaner Destination

Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort Revel in the splendor of architecture as you look closely at this majestic fort designed by Akbar’s Camel Safari, Rajasthan Camel Safari Tour Packages contemporary Raja Rai Singh. There are thirty seven palaces inside the fort, pavilions Suraj Pol or the main entrance to the fort is the Sun Gate. Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal and Karan Mahal are worth a visit in the palaces. The palaces are adorned with mirror work, carvings and sculptures, exquisitely crafted in red sandstone and marble. At intervals an array of kiosks and balconies embellish the fort, breaking the monotony. The Junagarh Fort also features a museum with valuable miniature paintings and rare antiques.

Visitor Information

• Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
• Tickets: 50 INR for Indians and 300 INR for foreigners. Student’s concession for both Indians (30 INR) and foreigners (150 INR).
• Opening Timings: Open all days (10 AM – 4:30 PM).
• Duration: 1-1.5 hours.

About Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort was founded by Raja Rai Singh in the year 1593. Crocodiles are believed to have been raised in the water moat that surrounds the formidable fort. The architecture is a perfect combination of architectural style of Mughal, Gujarati, and Rajput. The picturesque courtyards embellish the fortress. You are inspired by the beautiful architecture inside the Castle. Anup Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Dungar Mahal, Diwan-e-khas and Ganga Mahal are some of the attractions within the Fort.

Things to Do around Junagarh Fort

• Visit the fort’s museum.
• Have a tour of the armoury section.

Lalgarh Palace

One of the major tourist attractions in Bikaner is the beautiful red sandstone building. This place is the true spirit of Rajasthan, with a perfect blend of Rajput, Mughal, and European architectural style. The palace was later converted to Lalgarh Palace Hotel, built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh between 1902 & 1926.

Visitor Information

• Famous for: History, Architecture, Photography.
• Tickets: 25 INR per person (museum).
• Opening Timings: Museum open all days except Sunday (10 AM – 5 PM).
• Duration: 1 hour.

About Lalgarh Palace

Maharaja Ganga Singh built Lalgarh Palace in the year 1902 in memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh Ji. The red sandstone construction is a stupendous example of the brilliance of past architecture. Mughal, Rajput and European architecture seamlessly fit together. The massive lawns are housing peacocks which are a sight to watch when dancing. Among various other rooms you could find library, room for cards, and room for billiards. Lalgarh Palace is a feast to the delight of your eyes and architects. Most of the palace is not accessible to the public apart from the museum, since this palace has been converted into a luxury hotel.

Things to Do around Lalgarh Palace

• Visit The Shri Sadul Museum.
• Take a look at the fourth largest private library in the world.
• A visit to Laxmi Niwas Palace luxury hotel, if you have money to splurge.

National Research Centre on Camel

This center is a camel breeding nursery which now houses over 230 camels of three different breeds. A trip to this location will give you insight into the equipment and procedures used in the centre. You can also taste some milk or lassis samples at the dairy outlet on site. Besides that, one can go through the small museum and choose a camel ride at this center that has to be done at least once in a lifetime.

Visitor Information

• Famous for: Animals, Photography, Research.
• Tickets: 30 INR for Indians and 100 INR for foreigners. Still camera charges are 50 INR and no videography is allowed.
• Opening Timings: Open all days (3 PM – 6 PM).
• Duration: 1-1.5 hours.

About National Research Centre on Camel

National Research Center on Camel, a special research center completely devoted to camels of over four types, is a must-visit to observe camels in their best habitat. There are more than 400 camels of more than four breeds, including baby camels too. Bikaner has been well known since the British for its camel population, which used camels from Bikaner for their army during the WWI. It is also a well known camel breeding site.

Things to Do Bikaner

• Sample food made from camel milk like ice creams.
• Shop for souvenirs.
• Go for camel riding.

Ganga Singh Museum

Ganga Singh Museum is a popular Bikaner attraction, which displays a large collection of archeological finds dating back to the Harappan and early Gupta periods. In 1937 the museum was founded by former Bikaner emperor, Maharaja Ganga Singh. The museum displays portraits, art and crafts, terracotta, pottery, carpets, coins, and ancient Rajput arms in various rooms.

Visitor Information

• Famous for: History, Architecture, Culture.
• Tickets: 3 INR per person.
• Opening Timings: Open all days except Fridays and govt. holidays (10 AM – 4:30 PM).
• Duration: 30 to 45 min.

About Ganga Singh Museum

Maharaja Ganga Singh Museum was established in the year 1937. It houses historically important papers that go to show that the world was civilized long before Harappan civilization appeared. Some of the stunning collections include paintings, pottery, Rajputs-used weapons and much more. The paintings are excellent on golf leaves.

Things to Do Near Ganga Singh Museum

• Visit nearby attractions like Lalgarh Palace.
• Sample some Rajasthani cuisines.

Karni Mata Temple

Karni Mata temple or the “temple of rats” is a very famous temple situated at Deshnoke which is 30 km away from Bikaner in Rajasthan, India.

The temple is famous all over India for having 20,000 black rats that lives in the temple and are revered. These rats are considered holy and are called as “kabbas”. Several people are visiting this temple from far-off places just to pay homage to those rats and get their desires as true. The temple is experiencing the emergence of these “dogs” by a large number of visitors and curious tourists from all over India.

The Mughal-style temple is a magnificent marble facade that consists of solid silver doors designed by Maharaja Ganga Singh. There are many more silver doors with panels across the door which depict different goddess legends. The goddess’ shrine is set within the inner sanctum. In the year 1999, the Hyderabad based jeweler Kundanlal Verma decorated and embellished the temple further. He’s even donating the marble carvings and the silver rats to the temple.

Once a 20,000-soldier force was defeated in a nearby battle and came running to Deshnoke village, according to local folklores. As Mata knew of the death-punishable sins of desertion, she spared their lives converting them into rodents. To return, the soldiers also paid homage and vowed to serve the goddess for ever. Among those black rats which are believed to be Karni Mata herself and her four sons, one can find few white rats.

Another legend says that once the step son of Karni Mata drowned in a pond in Kolayat Tehsil in Kapil Sarovar while drinking water. Mata prayed to Yama, the god of death to spare his life Yama first refused and later relented, allowing Laxman and all Mata’s male children to reincarnate as rats.