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Bikaner Vacations

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Then royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north
of the Thar desert state, the city is dotted with many sand dunes.Bikaner
retains the medieval splendor taht pervades the citys life style.
Bikaner's history dates back to 1488 AD when Rathore prince Rao Bikaji
a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodhaji, estabilshed his
kingdom here. Rao Jodha ji had five sons but Rao Bikaji was the most
enterprising of them. Bikaji chose a barren wilderness called Jangladesh
and transformed it to an impressive city called Bikaner after the
founder 's name.
Bikaner is more populary called the camel country, the city is renowned
for the best riding camels in the worlds. The ship of the desert is
an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting
grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers. The wells
of Bikaner - an important source of Water are other attractions of
the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers
on each of the four corners and can be noticted even from distance.
Bikaner's ‘unspoiled’ ambience of well preserved medieval splendour
is evident and stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed
by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent
forts and palaces created with delicacy in reddish-pink, sandstone,
bear testimony to its historical and architectural legacy. Undulating
lanes, colorful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner
an interesting experience.
Places to visit
Junagarh Fort
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh(1571-1611 A.D.), a general in
the army of emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled
by a moat and has some beautiful places within. These places, made
in red sandstone (Dulmera) and marble, make a picturesque ensemble
of countryards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the
structure. The imposing fort has 986 long wall with 37 bastions and
two entrances. The Suraj Pol or sun gate - It is the main entrance
to the fort. Among the noteable of these Palaces are the beautiful
Chandra mahal or Moon Palace with marvellous paintings on the lime
plaster walls, mirriors and carved marble panels and the and Phool
mahal or the Flower palace is decorated with inset mirror work. The
gigantic columns, arches and graceful screen grace the palaces. other
palaces wort visiting are the Anup Mahal, Karan Mahal, Dungar Niwas,
Ganga Niwas, Gaj Mandir and Rang Niwas or or palace of pleasure. The
Anoop Mahal is famous for it's gold leaf painting. Har Mandir- a majestic
chapel where the royal family worshiped there Gods and Goddesses.
Karan Mahal was built to commemorate a notable victory over the Mughal
Aurangzeb.The other important important parts are Durbar Hall, Gaj
mandir, Sheesh Mahal or Mirror chamber . Gigantic columns, arches
and graceful screens adron the places.
Lalgarh Palace
The architectural masterpiece in red stone, the Palace was built by
Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh.
The palace has beautiful lattice work and filigree work. Sprawling
lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing pecocks make it a not
to be missed visual treat. This oriental fantasy Designed by Col.
Sir Swinton Jacob, is entirely a hybrid architecture -a mixture of
different elements of Rajput, Muslim and European styles and can be
categorized as Indo-Seresanic style. The Rajput exterior of this palace
contrasts dramatically with the occidental decor within. The intricately
dexterous carving on red sandstone is a hallmark of great craftsmanship.
The exotic palace has magnificent pillars, richly carved fire mantles
, Italian colonnades and motif of lotus in full bloom , adding to
the magic of this jewel of the desert. Walls of palaces are reminiscent
of the past vintage etchings, hunting trophies and old portraits.
The palace has it's own museum and library (the fourth largest in
the world), clay pigeon trap and skeet shooting traps facilities at
adjoining ranges.
Bikaner royal family still lives in part of the palace. part of the
palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known as
Shri Sadul museum which was donated by late his highness maharaja
Dr. Karni Singhji of Bikaner to Maharaja Shri Ganga singhji Trust
Bikaner in the year 1972 . Princess Rajyashree Kumari of Bikaner,
Chairperson of Trust played a very important role in the establishment
of this museum. The museum covers the entire first floor of the Lallgarh
palace and depicts the lives and times of three successive - Maharaja
Ganga Singh, Sadul Singh and Karni Singh through the various artifacts
and photographs displayed in 22 rooms.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
It is the best Rajasthan museum established near the Lalgarh Palace
in Bikaner in 1937 on the eve of the Golden jubilee celebrations of
Maharaja Ganga Singh, this Museum now run by the Government of Rajasthan,
was shifted to a new building in the Civil lines in 1954It is the
best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collection of Terracotta
ware, weapons, maniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins. The
exhibits are splendid master pieces of Harappan civilisation, Gupta
and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time. The museum
hass a seprate section displaying exclusive arts and crafts of the
region.
Some principal sections of the museum are:
Maharaja Ganga Singh Memorial, Local Arts and Crafts, History, Sculpture,
Terracotta and Bronzes, Armory, Miniature Paintings and Folk-Arts,
Dr. L.P. Tessitori Memorial Section, Lithoprints of the British interpretation
of the war of Independence 1857.
Camel Research Centre
The National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner is located in the Jorbeer
area at a distance of about 10 km from Bikaner city. It was established
on 5th July 1984. Prior to that the Centre was known as camel breeding
farm under the aegis of college of Veterinary and Animal Science,
Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner. This one of the largest
camel bredding farm in Asia.
The Centre has the responsibility to conduct basic and applied research
for the improvement of camel. Over the years NRCC has developed excellent
laboratory facilities and infrastructure. An elite herd of Bikaneri,
Jaisalmeriand Kachchhi breed of camel has been developed and maintained
at the Centre. Scientists of the Centre were successful in finding
out the genetic variation within and between camel breeds using molecular
markers. The technique of embryo transfer has been used successfully
in producing two camel calves at the Centre. Extensive studies on
evaluation of draughtability of camel breeds have been carried out
by the Centre. The feed requirement during various stages i.e. lactation,
pregnancy, draught has been studied and locally available feed/fodder
resources were evaluated by the Centre. The Centre has also generated
useful information on double humped camel found in Nobra Valley of
Laddakh region.
Bhandaser Jain Temple
The 15 century Temple,is the oldest and distinct monument of bikaner
dedicated to Sumati Nath Ji,the 5th Tirthankar of the Jain Religion.The
temple is decorated with rich mirror work, frescoes and gold leaf
paintings..The beautiful temple was erected near Laxminath temple
in 1540A.D.Pure ghee (butter oil) and coconuts were reported to have
been used in laying the foundation. Carved in red sand stone and white
marble - its famous for carvings ,wall paintings , structural beauty
and artistically designed statues
Excursions
Gajner Palace
Gajner Palace -a summer resort of Bikaner Maharajas -has often been
described as ' an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert'. Built by
Maharaja Ganga Singh ji of Bikaner, palace stands on the embankment
of a lake .The palace was used by Maharaja for grand shoots and lavish
entertainment. Royalty, both Indian as well as international, Viceroys
and other dignitaries have been entertained at this grand palace.
The architecture of Gajner palace is truly outstanding. Built in red
sandstone with intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens ,the
craftsmanship here is amazing.A part of palace has been transformed
into hotel.
In the 18th century ,when Maharaja Gaj Singh married a Jaisalmer Princess,
she requested him to build a pleasure garden which he proceeded to
do, also creating a tank in the process. This is how Gajner was conceived,
and this was added to by the successive rulers, till maharaja Sardar
Singh extended it into a hunting lodge with an even larger tank. It
was this inheritance that Maharaja Ganga Singh was able to use for
diplomatic gains, perfecting the hunt to a fine art, and contagious
with the hospitality with which it became associated. It was during
his rule too that the new Gajner palace was designed by sir Swinton
Jacob, complete with twin dressing rooms per room to allow couples
to get dressed at their own pace. While the annex to the main palace
was opened as a hotel in 1976, the palace too is a hotel now with
25 rooms and a restaurant on the premises.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is just 32 kms away from Bikaner. Its the perfect place
for adventure lovers to spot the Nilgai, Chinkara, Black buck, Wild
boar , flocks of imperial sand grouse and many more migratory birds.
Jeep Safari with a guide is the best option to visit this wonderful
sanctuary.
Deshnok's Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple)
The famous 600 yrs old temple on the Jodhpur road about 30 kms from
the city dedicated to karni Mata. an incarnation of Goddess Durga.
She blessed Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner in establishing his kingdom
and since then she was also worshiped as the tutelary deity of the
erstwhile Bikaner dynasty. The temple is unique as the rats called
Kabas, are venerated here and the shrine is a sanctuary for them.
It is believed that these Kabas carry souls of future Charans/bards
(children of the goddess) who inhabit the town of Deshnok. These Kabas
are held sacred and they move freely in the temple precincts. It is
considered highly auspicious. It is considered highly auspicious to
sight a white Kaba. The temple has fascinating huge silver gates and
marble carvings that were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singhji The most
attractive feature of temple are the rodents who scamper freely within
the premises and if one touches your feet its considered auspicious.
They are regarded sacred and devotees buy prasad (feeding) to offer
to them.
Kolayatji
A famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni (saint)
Kapil Muni sat in meditation near lake. Muni was propounder of Sankhya
Philosophy The temple is the venue for an annual fair held in the
month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) when the thousands of devotees gather in
a large number to take a sacred dip in the holy waters of the Kolayat
lake( Kapil Sarovar) on the full moon day. Lake is considered to have
the effect of washing off the sins of devotees. A cattle fair ,especially
for the trading of camels is a part of he festivities.The town is
connected to Bikaner by road as well as rail.
Katariasar Village
45 kms from the city on Jaipur Road ,the village is rich in ethnic
rural and cultural life.View sunset with typical desert landscape
around,walk on a range of sand dunes and enjoy desert lifestyle.Villagers
main profession is cattle rearing and milk production.the founder
of Jasnathi sect of fire dancers- Jasnathji hail from this very place.
Herds of chinkara, desert fox ,rabbit ,peacock, parrot and pat ridges
are found in plenty around the village.
Devi Kund Sagar
The Royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs which were built
in memory of the deceased members of the ruling family of Bikaner.
The Chhatries (Cenotaphs) of the early rulers were made of red sandstone,
ornamentation on which resembles very much with carving work on some
of the buildings of Fatehpur Sikri.Maharaja Suraj Singh's Chhatri
is the most impressive of all,created entirely n white marble with
spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceiling The later Cenotaphs were
made from marble and very beautifully sculpted and ornamented.Rajput
painting adorn the ceiling of some of the Cenotaphs.
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