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Bikaner Tourism
Bikaner is a desert town situated in the midst of Thar Desert. It is one of the most culturally rich towns in the State, dipped in the ancient Rajasthani traditions and customs. Dominated by Rajput culture, the city is well-known for beautiful sand dunes, historical forts, Havelis, palaces, and camel rides. Also referred to as the “camel country”, this region is popular for breeding few best breeds of camels. Bikaner also houses one of the two the bi-planes that was used during World War I by the Brtish forces.
Bikaner portrays a vibrant culture of art and architecture, festivals and cultural wonders. The most popular attractions of the city is the desert safari across the sand dunes which are dipped in different hues of the setting sun. The city also hosts the famous International Camel Festival that attracts tourists from different parts of the world. The region is also well-known for myriad scrumptious street-food such as Bhujias and Thandais. A trip to Bikaner is incomplete without shopping for authentic Ivory and Lacquer products, handicrafts and textiles.
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History of Bikaner
Before the rule of Rajputs, the city of Bikaner was barren desert land. The region was under the rule of Rajputs during the 15th century and it was established in 1488 by Rao Bika. Also referred to as ‘Jangladesh’ by Rajput rulers, the city formed a trade point between Central Asia and Gujarat.
During the reign of Raja Rai Singh which lasted from 1571 Ad to 1611 AD, the town of Bikaner witnessed tremendous development. He expanded the region by defeating various rulers and annexing regions in the Mewar Kingdom. During the 18th century, the region started losing its prosperity as it came under the Brtish rule. As a princely state under the new empire, the royal family of Bikaner still continued to rule but now as an ally to the Empire. Eventually, the family shifted to the Lalgarh Palace where it still resides to date.
Culture of Bikaner
The people of Bikaner take immense pride in their culture and you will often spot the locals in their traditional attire- dhoti kurta for men and ghagra choli for women. The majority of the men wear a turban, commonly known as pagadi, around their heads. The most common language spoken in the region is Rajasthani, however, people here can speak and understand Hindi as well.
The cuisine of Bikaner also reflects its rich culture. It a custom to prepare most of the dishes in ghee or buttermilk. Some of the delicacies include khichdi, gatte ki sabzi, pakode, dal baati churma, etc. The city is also popular for the “Camel Festival”. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and visitors from all over the world attend this auspicious occasion. The festival involves a lavish parade and procession of decked-up camels. The display of the high bred camels is followed by events like- camel races, camel rides and performance of folk songs and dances.
Bikaner is also famous for miniature painting, meenakari work (ornamental stonework), and carpet weaving. Utsi art is another popular form of art which was widely practiced during the reign of Raja Rai Singh. This form of art involves golden meenakari work on camel hide.
Bikaner – The City Of Forts And Temples
Bikaner has many temples, forts, Havelis, and palaces that are soaked in the rich culture of Rajasthan. While in Bikaner, you should not miss out on places listed as follows-
Junagarh Fort, previously known as Chintamani, houses antique artifacts that are reminiscent of the prosperous past of Bikaner. The intricate and meticulous carvings and patterns on the walls and roof will grasp all your attention.
Lalgarh Palace is a marvelous work of architecture that constitutes a perfect fusion of Muslim, Rajput, and European architectural styles. The fort which was constructed in the 19th century has now been transformed into a heritage hotel. You will be mesmerized by its beautiful wall carvings and splendid gardens.
Karni Mata Temple, popularly known as Rat Temple, is a Hindu shrine situated at a distance of 30 km from Bikaner in the town of Deshnok. As the name suggests, thousands of rats are worshipped in this temple and among these rats, there are also quite a few while rats which are considered to be the holiest ones.
Bhandasar Jain Temple is one of the most beautiful Jain temples in Bikaner which is well known for its paintings and architecture. An interesting fact about this temple is that 40,000 kg of ghee was used to while constructing this shrine. The temple is a three-story structure and you can have a panoramic view of the surroundings from its top floor. Lakshmi Nath Temple, the oldest temple of Bikaner, it houses statues of several Hindu gods such as Laxmi and Vishnu.
The Camel Country
Bikaner is also known as ‘the Camel Country’ and it is very difficult for any visitor to resist the camel rides along the sand dunes. As a part of camel safari rides, you will explore the hidden beauty of sand dunes that lie in this barren region. During the evening, you will also be entertained by various artists singing local traditional songs, dancers performing the Rajasthani dance, etc.
Depending on the organizers, the camel safari may last for 2 to 15 days. The cost of the safari starts from INR 1200 per person for a simple tour, however, you will be charged higher if you are planning for a longer trip. Ideally, the organizers look for visitors in a group to conduct the safari, else it becomes very costly for each individual.
Moreover, an international camel fair is organized by the Department of Tourism, Art, and Culture during the month of January. During the festival, an elaborate procession of camels dressed in colorful clothes, walk down the path performing interesting acts like dance and race. There are also a few folk dance performances and puppet shows. Tea, sweetmeats and other dairy items prepared from camel milk are also available.
Restaurants and Local Food in Bikaner
Bikaner is known for Namkeens, Bhujjias, Papads, and Baris. Make sure you try these delicacies while in Bikaner and take some home too. Along with this, you can enjoy other traditional Rajasthani snacks such as kachori and samosa. Restaurants in the city offer you typical Rajasthani cuisine and desert such as Dal Bati Choorma, Gatte ki Sabzi, Khata, Ghevar, Fini, Rabri and more.