Rajasthan is synonymous with deserts. Vibrant culture and a rich heritage dominates this state and attracts all the more tourists from all over the world. Rajasthan is listed among the top 5 tourist destination of India. Its famous cities like capital Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar etc bustle with tourists all year long. As a consequence, it’s forever crowded, expensive and busy.
Those who would like to stay away from the noise and are looking for some quite and serene place, Bikaner is the place for you. Just about 330 km from Jaipur, this town is home to some of the most splendid forts and temples. A vibrant, dust-swirling desert town with massive forts, Bikaner is famous for its eateries as well.
We bring you 6 must-visit places in Bikaner to show you how to make your trip memorable.
1. Junagarh Fort
Built in 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, Junagarh Fort is fine blend of Mughal, Gujarati and Rajput style of architecture. The fort is famous for its picturesque courtyards and amazing architectures. Some of the attractions inside the fort are Anup Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Dungar Mahal, Diwan-e-khas and Ganga Mahal. These Mahals have some of the most intricate and beautifully carved walls. The Junagarh Fort is the only fort in Rajasthan to have been built at a ground level and not on an elevated platform
2. Lalgarh Palace
In the memory of Maharaja Lal Singh Ji, Lalgarh Palace was built by his son Maharaja Ganga Singh in the year 1902. The red sandstone construction is a finest example of the architectural brilliance with a blend of Mughal, Rajput and European architectures. To add to its beauty, massive lawns with dancing peacocks can be a treat for your eyes.
3. Gajner Palace
Located on the banks of a beautiful lake, the credit of constructing this palace again goes to Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. The palace is situated in the middle of a forest in order to view migratory birds flock in great numbers. It was used as a retreatment point after hunting. It is a perfect place with stunning architecture to spend a quiet evening to watch the night sky beside the silent lake.
4. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
The scenic landscape which encompasses Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is admirable. The sanctuary houses some of the unique plants and animals. Blue bulls, Indian hares, antelopes, deers, wild boars etc are some of the wildlife creatures found here. Gajner Palace and Gajner Lake are located in its vicinity. They have Jeep safaris and camel safaris to take you to view wildlife and migratory birds.
5. Ganga Singh Museum
Ganga Singh Museum, as the name suggests, was also founded by Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1937. It is of great historical importance as it goes on to show that the society was civilized even before the emergence of Harappan civilization. It also houses a stunning collection of Rajput weapons including some amazing paintings and pottery art among other interesting exhibits. Not to miss the rich paintings on gold leaves and miniature models of the Gajner and Lallgarh palaces.
6. Bikaner Camel Safari
Bikaner is famous for its Bikaner Camel Safari Day tours which shows you a totally different landscape of stunning brown. The picturesque sunset and the essence of desert will definitely leave you spellbound. These safaris range anywhere from a half-day trip to 14 days. Bikaner has the largest camel breeding farms in Asia! Technically called the Camel Research Institute, this one is about 8 km away from the city and lets you enjoy camel company for a few hours every evening. For a more vibrant feel, visit the Camel Festival in January where the camels are decorated for special events like races, dances and the works.
