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Bikaner
| Quick Facts |
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| Area |
38.10 square km. |
| Languages: |
Hindi, Marwari, English |
| Best Time To Visit: |
September to March |
Founded by Rao Bika ji, the son of the Jodhpur founder, Bikaner's raging sandstorms and stark desert landscape had little to start out with. The caravan routes made for a good loot and the rulers made it to the good books of the Mughals and the British, gaining power and prestige amongst other princely states. Maharaja Ganga Singh won several concessions from the British through his diplomatic negotiations that included entertaining key officers at his hunting lodge at Gajner.
The Camel Research Farm is a huge tourist attraction at Bikaner today and is one of its kind in Asia. Bikaner has made it to the world tourism map as one of the popular Desert Triangle tourist circuit in India, along with Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
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What to See: |
» Junagarh Fort
» Camel Research farm
» Deshnok Temple |
» Lalgarh Palace
» Devi Kund
» Kolayat Ji |
» Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
» Shiv Bari Temple
» Bhandasar Temple |
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» Laxmi Niwas Palace
» Bhanwar Niwas Palace |
» Basant Vihar
» Lallgarh Palace |
» Gajner Palace Hotel
» Karni Bhawan Palace |
Shopping: |
| The narrow lanes snaking through the Katla are lined with shops selling tie-and-dye fabrics, camel leather footwear and local handicrafts. Embroidered jootis and miniature paintings of Bikaner School are popular buys here. Good pieces of Gesso Work (made from camel hide and painted in gold) unique to the region are worthy of an artwork collection.
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Accessibility: |
| By Air - Nearest airport to Bikaner is at Jodhpur, 235 km from the city. The Jodhpur Airport has regular flights from Delhi, Jaipur and other major Indian cities.
By Rail - Indian railway network and train services connect Bikaner to major Indian cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kolkata. Best trains to reach Bikaner from Delhi are Chetak Express, Bikaner Express and Bikaner Mail; and Kalka Express from Jodhpur.
by surface - Well-maintained roads connect Bikaner to nearby major cities such as Jaipur and Delhi. Government and private bus services and taxis ply frequently on this route.
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Fairs and festivals: |
- Karni Mata fair
- Gangaur
- Kapil Muni fair
- Camel festival: each January the state government organises a camel festival with camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidh people.
- Aksaye Tritya or "AKKHA TEEJ": the foundation day of Bikaner. This was the day when Rao Bika laid the foundation of the new empire. Every year on this day people from across the social spectrum enjoy themselves by flying kites or "CHANDA". They also enjoy a special meal, such as "Khichra and Imlani".
- Paryushan: The biggest festival of Jain community is celebrated with utmost fervour and dedication in the city in the Bhadrapad month of Hindu calendar. The temples are lavishly decorated. Spiritual ceremonies and fasting are seen everywhere in the city.
- Kartik Poornima: The Jain community takes out a huge procession on this day consisting of paintings, palki of tirthankar and musical bands. It traverses all the areas inhabited by Jains. Local bhajan mandalis or Spritiual Bands perform with great excitement on this occasion. This festivity is unparallel in India.
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