Bikaner is a Beautiful Place in Rajasthan

Histroy of Bikaner

Before the middle of the 15th century the area which is now Bikaner was a desolate jungle called Jungle Desh. Rao Bika founded the city of Bikaner. He was the first son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathore dynasty, the founder of Jodhpur and as the first son of a great warrior king of the north of Rajasthan he wanted to be his own king and not inherit Jodhpur from his father but took the title of Maharaja. So he decided to create his own kingdom in the area of Jungle Desh which is now Bikaner State. It was in the Thar Desert but Bikaner was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast because of the spring water it received. Bika's name was associated with the city he built and the state of Bikaner he founded. In 1478 a fort was built in Bikaner which is now in ruins and 100 years later a fort was built about 1.5 km away in the Kedo of the city which came to be known as Junagarh Fort. Nearly a century after the founding of Bikaner by Rai Vikram, the fortunes of the state fell under the rule of the younger Raja Rai Singh who ruled from 1571 to 1611. During the reign of the Mughal Empire in the country, Raja Rai Singh accepted the suzerainty of the Mughals and held high positions as a general in the court of Emperor Akbar and his son Emperor Jahangir. Rai Singh established a successful empire which included half of the area of the Mewar state. This brought him praise and rewards from the Mughal emperors. He was given the jagirs of Gujarat and Burhanpur. With the large sums earned from these jagirs, he built the Chintamani Durga on a plain having an average elevation of 1760 feet. Vivek was an expert in art and architecture and the knowledge he acquired during his foreign studies is clearly reflected in the buildings built by him in the Junagadh district. Maharaja Karan Singh who ruled from 1631 to 1639 during the first phase of the Mughals built the Karan Mahal. The ruler of Bikaner added more floors and decorations to the palace. Anup Singh who ruled from 1669 to 1698 made several important constructions in the complex including a royal palace with hall and hall quarters for women and children. He complemented the Karan Mahal with a Diwan-e-Aam and called it the Anup Mahal. Maharaja Suraj Singh who ruled from 1746 to 1787 renovated the Chandra Mahal. During the 18th century there was an internecine war between the rulers of Bikaner and Jodhpur and other Thakurs which was suppressed by the British troops. After Maharaja Gaj Singh, Maharaja Surat Singh ruled from 1787 to 1828 and the audience hall was decorated with five more live pets. During the reign of Maharaja Surat Singh Bikaner came under the British rule under the peace of Hastarakshit Sarvodaya in 1818. Thereafter the Maharajas of Bikaner invested the Junagarh Fort. Lalgarh Palace, built (Indo-Saracenic style) for Maharaja Ganga Singh and named after his father, presently a heritage hotel and also a residence of the Bikaner Royal Family. Right: Ganga Singh as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet at No. 10 Downing Street, 1917. Dungar Singh, who reigned from 1872 to 1887, built the Badal Mahal, the 'weather palace', so named in view of a painting of clouds and falling rain, a rare event in arid Bikaner. General Maharaja Ganga Singh, who ruled from 1887 to 1943, was the best-known of the Rajasthan princes and was a favourite of the British Viceroys of India. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, served as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet, represented India at the Imperial Conferences during the First World War and the British Empire at the Versailles Peace Conference. His contribution to the building activity in Junagarh involved separate halls for public and private audiences in the Ganga Mahal and a durbar hall for formal functions. He also built the Ganga Niwas Palace, which has towers at the entrance patio. This palace was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, the third of the new palaces built in Bikaner. He named the building Lalgarh Palace in honour of his father, and moved his main residence there from Junagarh Fort in 1902. The hall where he held his Golden Jubilee (in 1938) as Bikaner's ruler is now a museum. Ganga Singh's son, Lieutenant-General Sir Sadul Singh, the Yuvaraja of Bikaner, succeeded his father as Maharaja in 1943, but acceded his state to the Union of India in 1949. Maharaja Sadul Singh died in 1950, being succeeded in the title by his son, Karni Singh (1924–1988). The Royal Family still lives in a suite in Lalgarh Palace, which they have converted into a heritage hotel.

Famous Place of Bikaner

Junagarh Fort
Seth Bhandashah Jain Temple
Rampuria Haveli
Karni Mata Temple
Shri Laxminath Temple
ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel
Prachina Museum
Lalgarh Palace
Kote Gate
Laleshwar Mahadev Mandir , Shiv Bari Temple, Bikaner
Ratan Bihari Temple
Ganga State Museum
Ganga Golden Jubilee Club
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
Devi Kund Sagar
Sursagar Lake
Gajner Palace

1. Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort located in Bikaner, Rajasthan is a magnificent fort known for its intricate architecture and historical significance. Unlike many forts in Rajasthan, it is not situated on a hilltop but in the plains. The construction of the fort began in 1589 during the rule of Raja Rai Singh and it shows a blend of Rajput, Mughal and Gujarati architectural styles.

2. Seth Bhandashah Jain Temple

This temple was built in the 12th century by Bhaandasha Oswal. This temple is dedicated to the fifth Tirthankara Sumit Nath. According to the legends, 40,000 tonnes of oil was used instead of water to prepare the mortar for the construction of this temple.

3. Rampuria Haveli

In the sun drenched lanes of Bikaner where time has weaved a fascinating tale Rampuriya Haveli stands as a magnificent landmark that is a result of the rich past in the region and the origins of its creator. This grand red coloured mansion is a blend of instant grandeur and elegance that is a living embodiment of the aesthetic sensibilities that once adorned this deserted landscape. Adorned with carvings and vibrant paintings, its ornate façade invites you to step into a realm where echoes of a bygone era still reverberate, telling stories of luxuries and artistry that endured the journey of survival. The beauty of Rampuriya Haveli is such that it inspired the renowned writer and philosopher Elder Oxley to call it the pride of Bikaner, a title that perfectly reflects its significance. Along with the facade, Rampuriya Haveli has evolved into a wonderful heritage site that showcases the fine craftsmanship of the place where the artisans put their heart and soul into the creation of enduring garments that celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Bikaner.

4. Karni Mata Temple

The temple is named after Karni Mata, a female sage of the Charan caste who lived in the 14th century. According to local legends, when Karni Mata's stepson drowned, he begged Yamuno, the god of death, to bring him back. When Yamuno refused, Karni Mata declared that her descendants would be reborn as Chauhans and the last to be reborn as human beings. The original temple was built in the 15th century on the model of the Taj Mahal. It was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner at the beginning of the current century. Inside the temple, a shrine is considered sacred and it is believed that there are members of Karni Mata's Pune-born family who are called kabbals. This temple is not just a place of worship but also a place where Karni Mata's ancestors and their association with Chauhan are deeply ingrained in local culture and beliefs. The Angutakas offer food, sweets and other things to rats and it is considered a great honour if a rat eats one's offerings or even walks on them. Seeing a white rat is considered a particularly auspicious sign among many black and white rats. The temple is also visited by devotees, especially by those from the capital. The Mata is also believed to have a divine vision. and see each of the education .

5. Shri Laxminath Temple

This is an important Hindu temple located in the Jaisalmer fort, which was originally based in the form of a panchayatan. This temple was built by Rao Jaisal during the fort itself. The Sabha Mandap of the temple is contemporary to other buildings of the fort. It was built in the 12th century. During the invasion of Alauddin, a large part of this temple was demolished. It was renovated by Maharawal Laxman in the 15th century. Ghatapallava figures are carved on the pillars of the Sabha Mandap of the temple. Its sanctum sanctorum, Gudh Mandap and other parts were renovated several times. Statues of Jain Tirthankaras are also engraved on the doors on both sides of the temple. The ceiling of the Ganesh temple has a beautiful statue of Vishnu sitting on snakes.

6. ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel

ICAR-National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner, is a Premier Research Centre located at Bikaner city of Rajasthan. Considering the importance of camel in the socio-economic development of arid and semi-arid zones, the Government of India established a Project Directorate on Camel at Bikaner (India) on 5 July 1984 under aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) which was upgraded to National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) on 20 September 1995. It is located in the Jorbeer area of Bikaner city which is about 8 km from Bikaner main city. Mandates of this institute are 1. Basic and applied research for improvement camel health and production; 2. Information repository on camel research and development; and 3. Development of camel eco-tourism. This centre is also known as 'Camel Farm' among the local people. The camel farm maintains an elite herd of more than 300 camels of Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Kachchhi and Mewari breeds.

7. Prachina Museum

Prachina Museum, located within Junagarh Fort in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is a cultural and heritage museum showcasing the history of Bikaner's royal family. Established in 2000 by Princess Siddhi Kumari, the museum displays a variety of artifacts, including royal costumes, furniture, paintings, and ritual art objects.

8. Lalgarh Palace

The palace was constructed between 1902 and 1926 in Indo-Saracenic style. The building was built by the British Free Agency for Maharaja Ganga Singh from 1881 to 1942 when he was still in minority as he felt the existing Junagadh was inappropriate for a modern monarch. Ganga Singh decided that the palace should be named in memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. Ganga Singh was famous for his hunting retreats. His hunts were held at Gajner Palace, especially at his Imperial Courts on Christmas Day. As a result the palace hosted guests including George Clemenceau, Queen Mary, King George V, Lord Hardinge and Lord Irwin in 1920. Lord Curzon was the first notable guest of the palace. The Prince and Princess of Wales in 1905 to 1906 later accompanied the visits of King George V and Queen Mary of Great Britain to India. A reporter, Laxmi Niwas Palace said that the Laxmi Niwas Palace is the most exquisite modern building in the Indo-sarsanik style in India. An absolutely beautiful late sense of carved red sandstone of fine proportions and sets perfectly in harmony with its environment. Their Royal Highnesses have never seen a more magnificent residence again since they landed in Mumbai. In 1972 Maharaja of Bikaner MP Karni Singh established the Ganga Singh Ji Charitable Trust. He donated a part of the Lalgarh Palace for use in the service of the trust. The two wings were converted into independent hotels with the income from the heritage hotel Lalgarh Palace Hotel used to support the trust. One wing of Lalgarh Palace is owned and operated by his daughter Princess Rajyashree Kumari.

9. Kote Gate

Kote Gate was one of the main entrances to the old city of Bikaner built by Rao Bika in 1488. It was strategically placed as one of the defensive walls of the city, signifying its importance in protecting the city. Despite being a defensive structure historically, Kote Gate now serves as a lively passage and a gateway to the city's history. The old city of Bikaner is surrounded by a stone wall with five gates and Kote Gate is one of them. It serves as an equation point between the old historic parts of Bikaner and the modern city.

10. Laleshwar Mahadev Mandir , Shiv Bari Temple, Bikaner

Laleshwar Mahadev Temple, also known as Shiv Bari Temple, is a famous Shiva temple located in Bikaner, Rajasthan. This temple was built by Maharaja Dungar Singh in memory of his father Maharaj Lal Singh Ji. The temple is made of red stones and its architecture is very beautiful.

11. Ratan Bihari Temple

The Ratan Bihari Temple in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, built by Maharaja Ratan Singh in the mid-19th century. It's known for its intricate Rajputana architecture, featuring ornate pillars, archways, and delicate frescos. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and tourist attraction, drawing visitors for its religious significance and artistic beauty.

12. Ganga State Museum

The Ganga State Museum is a historical museum located in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. It is also known as the Ganga Government Museum. It was founded by Maharaja Ganga Singh to house the archaeological and cultural artifacts of the region. The museum was initially named the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum. It was inaugurated on November 5, 1937, during the golden jubilee celebration of Maharaja Ganga Singh's reign. After the state of Rajasthan was formed, the government took control of the museum in 1950 and renamed it the Ganga Government Museum.

13. Ganga Golden Jubilee Club

The "Ganga Golden Jubilee Club" is likely a gaming and betting site, but it is often confused with the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Search results for the "club" primarily point to gaming apps, while the museum is a well-documented heritage site.

14. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Gajner Palace in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan. Once a hunting ground for the royal family of Bikaner, the area has been converted into a protected wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is known for its diverse flora and fauna, especially a variety of desert wildlife.

Famous Universities in Bikaner

Maharaja Ganga Singh University
Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University
Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Bikaner Technical University

Famous Food in Bikaner

Bikaneri Bhujia
Kachori
Gatte Ki Sabzi
Ker Sangri

Famous Temple in Bikaner

Karni Mata Temple
Laxminath Temple
Bhandashah Jain Temple