Bikaner will make you feel as such. Located in the middle of the beautiful chromatic Thar Desert. Bikaner is located in the Northwest part of Rajasthan and it’s around 330 Kilometres from Jaipur. You will be stunned to know that this gorgeous city is just 100 Kilometres from the Pakistan border. A hive of historical, cultural, traditional, adventurous things and of course the delicious Rajasthani cuisines, Bikaner is the place where travelers find their paradise. There are temples, palaces, forts, markets, and some glorious mysteries of desert sand dunes. Bikaner is worth the time.
Chromatic History of Bikaner
The city of Bikaner was established by Rao Bika, a ruler from the Rathore clan in the fifteenth century. Rao Bika was the son of Rao Jodha, King of Jodhpur. He wanted to build his own kingdom, so he established Bikaner. Before the 15th century, Bikaner was known as Jangladesh. Being in the middle of the Thar Desert, Bikaner was popular as an oasis for traders. It lied on the trade route between the Gujarat coast and Central Asia. Rao Bika built Junagarh Fort in Bikaner in 1478 AD. Another ruler who developed Bikaner further was Raja Rai Singh. He rebuilt the Junagarh Fort. Later few other forts and palaces were also constructed such as Rampuria Haveli and Bhanwar Niwas Palace.
Tourist Attractions in Bikaner
Bikaner has a long list of beautiful tourist attractions and you will find something unique in each one of these. Bikaner is undoubtedly one of the best cultural heritage of Rajasthan. From the beautiful temples to the fortified forts, here are some popular tourist places in Bikaner.
The Junagarh Fort: Without a doubt Bikaner's most famous attraction, the Junagarh Fort dates from the 16th century and is home to a fantastic textile museum.
Beyond Junagarh, Bikaner's highlights include the colonial Laxmi Niwas Palace and the Lalgarh Fort, which served as the Rajputana royal family's home for centuries.
Magical Camel Safaris: Ride a camel through the Rajasthani desert with expert guides who know every birding spot and photo opportunity.
Rajasthani Food is Spectacular: From bhujia (chickpea chips) on the street to thalis that cover the entire table and a dizzying variety of sweets, Rajasthan is a great Indian destination for gastronomes.
The Karni Mata Temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to the goddess Karni Mata. Karni Mata, located 20 miles from Bikaner, is a Hindu temple with a twist: the priests revere rats, seeing them as sacred guardians. It's a lovely spot, but it's only for rodent fans.
How to travel to Bikaner?
To feel the royal vibrance of Rajasthan one has to visit Bikaner for sure. Well, reaching Bikaner is an easy task. This city is well-connected to several other cities of Rajasthan. There are some direct flights to Bikaner. If you are in Rajasthan, you can easily get access to public transport and travel to Bikaner easily.
Reach Bikaner by Air – There is a domestic airport in Bikaner. If you are in India, you can take a direct flight to Bikaner. Bikaner Airport is around 15 Kilometres from the Bikaner city. The nearest International Airport to Bikaner is in Jaipur. It is around 350 Kilometres from Bikaner. Jodhpur airport is another domestic airport closer to Bikaner. It is around 250 Kilometres from Bikaner.
Reach Bikaner by Train – Bikaner has two popular railway stations – Bikaner Junction and Lalgarh Railway Station. You will find several different trains according to wherever you are. Bikaner Junction is just 2 Kilometres from the city and the Lalgarh Railway Station is around 10 Kilometres from Bikaner city. Travelling by train is one of the easiest ways to reach Bikaner.
Reach Bikaner by Road – Bikaner is connected to all other major cities of Rajasthan through National Highways. A road trip in Rajasthan is just astonishing and that too to Bikaner, a perfect itinerary. The RSRTC operates a number of AC and Non-AC buses for travellers. You will also find some sleeper buses to Bikaner.
So, how to reach Bikaner is not a problem at all. You will find yourself in a dilemma for leaving this beautiful place after you have fallen in love with this amazing city.