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Situated in the middle of the Thar Desert, Bikaner is one of the famous cities in Rajasthan. It is a cultural paradise that offers you valuable insights into the rich culture of Rajasthan. The city is popular for its beautiful forts and palaces. Bikaner is a dazzling city that amazes tourists with its beautiful havelis and unique charm. Also known as a “Camel Country”, Bikaner is a testament to the glorious history of the era of the Rajputs.
Best Places to Visit in Bikaner
Some of the best places to explore in Bikaner are as follows:
Junagarh Fort
This is a beautiful fort that is extremely popular among tourists. Junagarh Fort was founded by Rao Bika in the year 1478. Initially, the fort was known as Chintamani. However, it was renamed as the Junagarh fort in the twentieth century. The present structure of the Junagarh Fort was inaugurated on 17th February 1589. The architectural style of the palaces, kiosks, balconies, and gardens in this fort was inspired by various architectural styles. The fort’s architecture is also inspired by the architectural styles of many foreign countries.
Lalgarh Palace
Lalgarh Palace is one of the worth-seeing places to explore during your Bikaner trip. This edifice was built for the Maharaja of Bikaner between 1902 and 1926. The palace was constructed in a European architectural style. It is now a Heritage Hotel, which is visited by many tourists. You will also find a museum here, which is called the Shri Sadul Museum. This museum showcases a great collection of artifacts that tells the story of different rulers of Bikaner. Some of the articles that you can see here are photographs, manuscripts, paintings, etc. The museum offers you a sneak peek into the royal life of the Bikaner rulers. Once you are here, you can walk through the beautiful corridors and garden. You will be amazed to see the beautiful architecture of this palace while walking here.
Ratan Bihari Temple
Constructed between 1846 and 1851, Ratan Bihari Temple is a must-visit place for tourists. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple is a perfect example of Mughal and Rajputana style architecture. It is a Hindu shrine that is quite popular for its beautiful frescoes, ornate pillars, and intricate carvings. Ratan Bihari Temple is located near Junagarh Fort and is one of the most visited spiritual centers in Bikaner.
Laxmi Niwas Palace
This palace was once the royal palace of Maharaja Ganga Singh. However, it is now converted into a heritage hotel. The cultural heritage and the glorious history of this architectural marvel attract visitors from all over the world. The palace also houses a museum, which lets you catch a glimpse into the royal life of the rulers of Bikaner. Laxmi Niwas Palace offers comfortable accommodation to tourists. You will find private bathrooms, comfortable rooms, and modern amenities in all the rooms of this palace. Every single room here has a fireplace, a shower, and a sofa. You will enjoy a luxurious stay at this palace. The hotel offers delectable dishes for the visitors. Situated at 4 km from Bikaner Railway Station, Laxmi Niwas Palace is one of the best places to stay in Bikaner.
Kodamdesar Temple
Constructed by Rao Bikaji, Koadamdesar Temple is one of the revered sites for Hindu devotees. Dedicated to Lord Bhairon Ji, this temple offers spiritual solace to the devotees. The architecture of the temple is the finest example of Rajasthani style architecture. Apart from the shrine of the presiding deity, the temple complex has other smaller shrines that are dedicated to other Gods and Goddesses. Devotees have a deep regard for this temple as it offers them a tranquil atmosphere to meditate.
Many religious festivals are celebrated in the temple. People believe that worshipping here brings good health and prosperity. The intricate carvings on the walls of the temple showcase the craftsmanship of the ancient era. Devotees visit this sacred place from different parts of the country and take part in the important rituals here.
Best Time to Visit Bikaner
The ideal time to visit Bikaner is between October and March. However, you can visit Bikaner in other seasons too.
Summer Season (March to June)
Summers are extremely hot in Bikaner. The summer season starts here in March. The dust storms and unbearable heat make it impossible for you to explore any place. Thus, you should avoid visiting Bikaner during this season.
Monsoon Season (July to September)
Monsoon season in Bikaner starts from July. The city experiences moderate rainfall. However, the weather becomes humid due to that. The vehicles of the tourists might get stuck on the road due to the hailstones. Thus, it is not a good time to visit Bikaner.
Winter Season (October to February)
The winter season starts in Bikaner in October. During this season, the mornings and evenings are cold. However, the weather in the afternoon is the best time to explore Bikaner city. It is also a good time for a Camel Safari. If you are planning to visit Bikaner with your family, you must choose the winter season to come here.
Best Places for Shopping in Bikaner
If you are a shopaholic, you can shop at the following shopping destinations in Bikaner:
Lalgarh Market
It is one of the best shopping destinations that tourists explore once they are in Bikaner. Here, you will find a wide range of articles such as handicrafts, artifacts, textiles, etc. Other items that you can find in this market include home décor pieces, embroidered fabrics, bedspreads, etc. Tourists can also shop for beautiful Rajasthani apparel here, such as dupattas and lehangas. However, apart from shopping, you can also enjoy delectable Rajasthani street food here. Tourists visit this market in large numbers to enjoy the delicious Rajasthani food here.
Junagarh Fort Bazaar
Located near the Junagarh Fort, this market is one of the most favorite places to buy a wide range of items. You can buy a lot of items here, such as jewelry, paintings, handicrafts, etc. Other articles that you can buy here include brass figurines, marble statues, pottery, etc.
Kote Gate Market
This is another famous shopping destination in Bikaner that won’t disappoint the tourists. You can buy a variety of articles here, such as local spices, miniature paintings, and other Rajasthani items. Other items that you can buy here are bangles and Jutties.
Laxminath Temple Market
If you are looking to buy religious artifacts and souvenirs, Laxminath Temple Market is perfect for you. Situated at Laxminath Temple, this market has many shops that sell prayer beads, Rajasthani artwork, idols, artwork, etc. Thus, do not forget to visit this market during your Bikaner tour.
How to Reach Bikaner?
You can reach Bikaner in the following ways:
By Air
Bikaner city has a domestic airport that operates flights from other cities to Bikaner. Another nearest airport to Bikaner is Jodhpur airport, which is located approximately 250 km away from the city. You can also arrive at Jaipur International Airport and resume your journey to Bikaner.
By Train
2 railway stations are located in Bikaner—Lalgarh Railway Station and Bikaner Junction. Both these stations are located close to the main city. They are connected to all the major cities of the country, such as Mumbai, Jammu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Hyderabad, etc. You will find a few trains here, such as Bikaner Intercity, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Kalka Barmer, Chandigarh, Adi Jat Express, Jammu-Tawi-Ahmedabad Express, etc., that take you to Bikaner without any difficulty.
By Road
Bikaner is also accessible by road. It is well connected with all the major highways, such as NH 15, 11, 89, etc. You can either drive your car or book a bus to Bikaner. Some of the buses that operate between the major cities of India to Bikaner are non-air-conditioned, air-conditioned, luxury, Volvo, Deluxe buses, etc.
Getting Around Bikaner
By Taxis
You can hire a taxi to get around Bikaner. Once you arrive at the railway station or the airport, you can hire a pre-paid taxi to get to your final destination in the city. You can also book chauffeured car-taxi services offered by tour operators or travel agencies. They are best for you if you do not have a vehicle with you. These taxis will help you explore the important places of the city without any difficulty.
By Bus
You can also catch a bus to visit the important places in Bikaner. The Central Bus Stand of Bikaner is the largest in the city. You can catch a local and state bus from here. However, the best would be to hire a private bus service by the tour operators to explore the city.
By Rickshaws
Apart from the bus and taxis, tongas and rickshaws are also available in the city. They are best for you if you want to cover short distances within the city. They are also affordable and take you to the narrow streets.
On Foot
You can also explore many places on foot in Bikaner. You will find many marketplaces, parks, and forts, which you can visit on foot. Exploring these places by walking will be one of the best experiences, as you can meet local people while walking in the city.
