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Monsoon Holidays: Bikaner - Forts, Palaces & Royal History

 
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Monsoon Getaways from Delhi or Jaipur - Bikaner
| Places to see | Places to stay | How to reach | Fast Facts |

All tanned and sweaty, walking through the by-lanes of history through magnificent forts and palaces, colourful bazaars and beautiful havelis on a hot sunny day with a bag full of sun screens and loads of mineral water wondering what made you embark on a journey to this desert city when you should be enjoying yourself on a hill station when suddenly the sun decides to play hide and seek, the sky changes color and a thunderous roar greets you…a wonderful sight you reach for your camera all the while you wondering incredulously desert and the rain?... when all of a sudden the skies open and you are all drenched in rain.

Bikaner

Do you curse yourself for not carrying an umbrella or dance with the kids enjoying the rain...after all it's not every day that one gets to enjoy the rains underneath the desert sun especially when it is boiling at 40 degrees.

Welcome to Bikaner - the royal city famed as much for its formidable forts, ostentatious palaces, beautiful havelis and musical sandy dunes presents a much different picture in the monsoons with its overcast skies, dancing peacocks, cool breeze, the rains and of course the smile and contentment on the faces of the locals that simply says Ah!! Finally the rains are here.

Places to See near Bikaner
Bikaner Havelis
The Havelis in Bikaner are not as profuse as those in the Shekawati region but they nonetheless occupy a pride of place in Bikaner with their intricate carvings and craftsmanship. The result of the rich caravan trade, the havelis are opulent and presents a glimpse of the lifestyle of the rich merchants. You can walk through the Gogagate, Daddhon Ka Chowk, Rangari Chowk, Assanion Ka Chowk, Mohta Chowk, Binnanion Ka Chowk, Daga Chowk, BK School and Jassuar Gate route to get a appreciate the beauty of these ornately carved havelis.
Junagarh fort

Take a trip down the history of the city through its historic monuments. Visit the imposing Junagarh fort reportedly to be one of the many forts that was never conquered; the magnificent Lallgarh Palace famous for its beautiful lattice and filigree work and get a glimpse on how the royals lived at the Lallgarh Museum. Prachina Museum and the Sadul Museum located within the precincts of the Junagarh fort are two other places of interest. Trace the antiquity of the region through the archaeological discoveries placed in the Ganga Singh Museum; Pay your respects at the Bhandeswari Jain Temple and the Shiv Bari Temple and salute the brave warriors at the royal crematorium of Devi Kund.

Karni Mata Temple

Places to see nearby
Witness the devotion and belief of the villagers of Deshnok at the Karni Mata Temple (30 km from Bikaner) – the only place in the world where rats are revered; get a glimpse of the ethnic rural and cultural life of the Jasnathjis - the fire dancers and marvel at the beauty of the sunset with the desert in its background at Katariasar Village; learn more about the ship of the desert and the life line of the people of region at the 2000 acres Camel Research Farm and if it is the adventure that you seek then head to the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, some 32 km away, which is home to nilgai, chinkara, black buck, wild boar, imperial sand grouse and migratory birds.


Places to stay at Bikaner

Since Bikaner is quite popular on the tourism map, there are plenty of hotels in Bikaner, which offer comfortable accommodation to tourists. Hotels in Bikaner range from luxury hotels to heritage hotels and budget hotels. Some popular hotels in Bikaner include Lallgarh Palace, Gajner Palace, Karni Bhawan Palace and RTDC hotel Dhola Maru. Check out hotels in Bikaner.


How to Reach Bikaner

By Air: Two nearest airports are at Jodhpur (254 km away) and Jaipur (325 km away).

By Rail: Bikaner is well-connected to Delhi by the ‘Bikaner Mail’, to Mumbai by the ‘Jammu Tawi’ and to Kolkata by the ‘Howrah-Jodhpur Express’. The ‘Jaipur-Bikaner Intercity’ and ‘Jaipur-Bikaner Express’ trains are the best options to Jaipur. From there one can take an auto or hire a taxi to enter Bikaner City.

By Road: Bikaner is about 321 km from Jaipur and 243 km from Jodhpur. The roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hrs from Jaipur to reach Bikaner. Govt. and private Deluxe, Super Deluxe and AC buses ply between Bikaner and other major cities of the neighbouring states.

Check Driving Directions from Delhi to Bikaner


Bikaner Fast Facts

Location: Bikaner is in north-west Rajasthan, about 548 km south-west of Delhi. Bikaner is 243 km from Jodhpur and 321 km from Jaipur.

When to Go: Though October to March is considered the best time to visit Bikaner but experimenting the desert city during the rains is certainly something different.

Transport: RTDC Tourist Reception Centre, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, New Delhi Tel: 011-23389525


About Bikaner: Bikaner Information & Fact File
Altitude 242 meters
Temp
Summer 50 (Max) & 25(Min) Degrees Celsius
Winter 28 (Max) & 0 (Min) Degrees Celsius
Best time to Go November – February
Monsoon July –August
Summer April – June
Winter November – February
Clothes Cottons in summer and woolens in winter
Nearest Airport Jodhpur, 252 km
Nearest Railway Station Bikaner (Direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur)
Bus Station Bikaner (Direct Buses from Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi)
Hospital & Doctor

Bikaner has a District Hospitalm which is fully equipped to handle medical emergencies

Places to see Junagarh Fort, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lalgarh Palace, Camel Farm, Karni Mata temple…
   
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