Bikaner, a cultural treasure trove of Rajasthan, is one of the best tourist destinations in India. Every year, thousands of tourists plan Bikaner tours to discover its grandeur history, majestic attractions, streets, and enjoy its delicacies. It is located in the northwest of Rajasthan, approximately 330 km from the state’s capital—Jaipur. Bikaner was founded by Rao Bika, hence got its name as Bikaner. It entices tourists, especially foreigners, with its regal charm, historical grandeur, and bustling bazaars, and spicy delicacies that tantalize their taste buds.
Bikaner is called “The Red City” because of the red sandstone buildings built throughout the city. If one thing that can describe Bikaner, then it is none other than its majestic camels adorned with decorative. Camels are an integral part of daily life of the residents and tourists can enjoy camel safari through the golden sand of the Thar Desert. Although not too famous, Bikaner has many wonderful surprises for its visitors. It attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. If you are planning your trip to Bikaner this year, our Bikaner Travel Guide will help you plan the best itinerary and explore the magnificent places. You will return home with some unforgettable memories of Bikaner tours.
Best Places to Visit in Bikaner
Bikaner is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, still the city displays its ancient opulence through its forts and palaces. The major forts and other architectures are built in red sandstone, due to which it is called the “Red City”. Besides, it is known as a “Camel Country” because of its vast population of the best riding camels. In addition, Bikaner is home to the world’s famous camel research and breeding farm. People from all around the world visit the camel research center and the Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke in Bikaner.
To make the most of your Bikaner tours, we have included the top places to visit in Bikaner in our travel guide. To explore all these places, you should plan a 3-day Bikaner tour itinerary. Let’s see what you must explore in Bikaner:
Junagarh Fort
This red fort looks massive from the outside and impressive from inside. It is one of the majestic places in Rajasthan. The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh. He applied his extensive knowledge and experience of architecture that he gained by traveling to build this marvellous architecture with further refinements with his successors.
Junagarh fort is not situated on an elevated hilltop, rather it is rising majestically from the sandy expanse of the Thar Desert. This massive and beautiful in Bikaner is not less than a feather on the cap of the Rajasthan tourism of India. Every tourist planning their Rajasthan tours must visit this beautiful place in Bikaner. The fort has seven gates that are called ‘Pol’ and each one of them has a different name.
The fort has many palaces, temples, and other structures inside its walls. The famous palaces inside the fort are known as Chandra Mahal, Ganga Mahal, Karan Mahal, Phool Mahal, Anup Mahal, and Badal Mahal. Among all the palaces, Chandra Mahal is very luxurious with gold-plated deities and paintings covering the entire walls.
Lalgarh Palace
Lalgarh Palace stands out as the most recommended hotel in Bikaner. Located just 3 km from the railway station, Lalgarh Palace is one of the top places to visit in Bikaner. Standing amidst the regal grandeur and conveying the historical tales of the Rajputana, Lalgarh Palace is one of the most imposing palaces in the history of Rajasthan. The architecture of the palace is the amalgamation of Indian, European, and Mughal styles. The palace has an indoor pool, museum, and traditional-style billiard rooms. The management of the palace was taken over by the Welcome Group in the year 1993. They have made numerous renovations. Currently the palace is under the management of Princess Shri Siddhi Kumari Ji. The royal family still lives in the palace. The complex features intricate latticework, elaborate fireplaces, intricately-designed pillars, beautiful portico, and overhanging balconies.
Ganga Museum
During your Bikaner tour, discover the unique secrets and artworks of Rajasthan by visiting the Ganga Museum. It is a government museum commonly known as Ganga Museum or Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum. The museum was opened by Lord Linlithgow, the governor of central India, in the year 1937. The museum has a collection of sculptures, miniature paintings, terracotta and metallic objects, art and crafts, and textiles.
The museum is divided into two parts. The ground floor displays all the photographs, artworks, paintings, etc. While the first floor has a collection of terracotta and bronze sculpture, armoury, miniature paintings, etc. Visiting this vast museum not only lets you experience the rich legacy and tradition of Rajasthan but also the entire India.
Bhandasar Jain Temple
Seth Bhandasar Jain Temple is one of the famous Jain temples in Bikaner. This beautiful temple is located in the Bada Bazaar, just next to one of the very famous temples of Bikaner—Laxminath Temple. This temple is not less than a gem, where you see the paintings in the Usta style of the Bikaner school. This temple is dedicated to the fifth Tirthankara Sumatinath. Hence, the temple is also called Shri Sumatinath Ji Ka Mandir.
The temple is a three-storey structure and the city’s skyline is visible from the third floor of the temple. It is one of the best places to visit in Bikaner that has multiple historical layers. Tourists throng here from all corners of the country. They marvel at the beauty of the temple and legacy of Jain tradition, and understand the history of the Bikaner city. The designs of the temple include intricate mirror work, murals, and gold leaf paintings. The best time to visit this beautiful temple is the late afternoon when you can watch a magnificent sunset from the top of the temple.
Devi Kund Sagar
With so many forts and palaces, Bikaner is a treasured paradise in Rajasthan. Devi Kund Sagar is one of the most recommended places to every tourist in their sightseeing tours of Bikaner. Devi Kund is the royal crematorium in Bikaner with more than 70 cenotaphs. The place is approx. 8 km from the city of Bikaner. This has Chattris (Cenotaphs) in the memory of the brave royal rulers of the Bikaji Dynasty. Each of these cenotaphs is built on the exact spot where every ruler and the royal descendants were cremated.
The cenotaphs were earlier made of Dulmera red sandstone, but later they were built with white marble. All these are decorated with fine paintings and illustrating the life of Lord Krishna. There are also the cenotaphs of the wives of the rulers cremated here, that bear the canopy and plaque with footprints and are beautifully decorated. While male members of the royal family have their white canopy with their names and portraits.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
While witnessing the legacy of Bikaner history, the abundance of wildlife at Bikaner lets you indulge in the thrill experience of wildlife safari at Gajaner Wildlife Sanctuary. This was once a hunting place for the king or Maharaja of Bikaner. Located just 32 km from Bikaner, this is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan and places to visit in Bikaner.
This wildlife sanctuary is home to many animals like deer, Nilgai, Antelope, black buck, Chinkara, and desert foxes. You may get a chance to witness many animals here, especially in the summer season. Because there is a small lake inside the sanctuary. Most animals are spotted near the lake when they visit the lake to quench their thirst. If you are on your Rajasthan tours between November to March, Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is the best place to visit in Bikaner.
Rampuria Haveli
The next name our Bikaner travel guide includes in the list of the best places to visit in Bikaner is the Rampuria Haveli. The Rampuria Haveli is a breathtaking place to see in Bikaner. Located in the heart of the city, Rampuria Haveli is the structural marvel that every tourist must visit in Bikaner. Rampuria Haveli is a group of nine havelis made of Dulmer red sandstone. Each of them is intricately designed to showcase the architectural brilliance of the Rampuria family. They take pride in the exquisite architecture of the havelis that features intricate carvings, ornate façades, and marvellous frescoes. Now, these havelis are the famous landmarks of BIkaner and a few of them have become the most-photographed buildings in Bikaner.
When you are in Bikaner, you must explore these beautiful homes highlighting Jharokas and elaborate carvings. One of the havelis—Bhanwar Niwas, has turned into a hotel. This hotel is run by the Rampuria family, and during your stay in Bhanwar Niwas, you can know everything you want to know about the group of Ramuria Havelis.
Laxmi Niwas Palace
Visit Laxmi Niwas Palace and marvel at the gigantic architecture brilliance of the royal era, designed and contrasted in Indo-Saracenic style. This palace was built between the years 1898 and 1902, by a British architect named Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. It was the residence of the king of Bikaner–Maharaja Ganga Singh until the magnificent palace was turned into a luxurious hotel in the 21st century. Situated in the Lalgarh Palace complex of Bikaner, it is one of the prominent and finest heritage hotels in the town. The public place of the heritage hotel can be explored by the visitors by paying a nominal fee of INR 100. While exploring the palace, you will see the marvellous architecture of the building and walls adorned with heads of tigers and other animals killed by the kings.
Camel Research and Breeding Farm
One of the best places to visit in Bikaner is the Camel Research and Breeding Farm in Bikaner. It is located about 10 km from the city and is the only and the largest of its kind in Asia. This breeding center depicts the deep-rooted connection between Rajasthan and its majestic camels. It was established by the government in the year 1984 in order to research, conservation, and promotion of the “Ships of the Desert”, which is an integral part of Rajasthan.
Inside the research center, you see a camel museum and a shop that sells camel products. Visiting a camel breeding farm is an exceptional experience in itself. You will be amazed to see the caravan of camels going to and returning to the farm in the evening. You can even take a camel ride at the farm and enjoy camel milk ice cream.
Karni Mata Temple Deshnoke
Karni Mata Temple, also known as the Rat Temple in Bikaner, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. It is a pilgrimage site in Deshnoke, located just 30 km from Bikaner. The temple is famous for tourists and pilgrims for its spiritual significance. The temple is renowned as the “Rat Temple” because the rodents in the temple are considered holy and devotees take the best care of them.
The Karni Mata Temple is a world-famous rat temple and it is dedicated to Karni Mata, a manifestation of the Goddess Durga. It is home to more than 20000 rats which are adored and fed with utmost care by devotees as they believe these are descendants of Karni Mata. Her sons have reincarnated as rats. Hence, they are known as ‘Kabbas’ means sons of Karni Mata. Pilgrims from all around the world visit this temple to feed these rats. Besides, the temple wows its visitors with its incredible marble architectural carvings and silver embellishments.
Best Time to Visit Bikaner
The best season or time to visit Bikaner is between October and March. The winter season provides pleasant weather to explore the Bikaner and escape Rajasthan’s heat.
How Many Days are Enough for a Trip to Bikaner?
Though Bikaner has many surprises to offer its visitors, a 3-day itinerary Bikaner tour package will allow plenty of time to explore the major attractions. If you are planning a short tour to Bikaner, then start your trip by visiting Junagarh Fort and stroll through Rampuria Havelis. Never miss to visit Karni Mata temple and the Camel Breeding Farm in Bikaner.
How to Reach Bikaner
Bikaner is located in the northwestern state of India. It lies in the Thar Desert and is well-connected with all the major cities in the state and nearby states. If you are planning a trip to Bikaner with family or friends, you can opt for the following transport modes to reach Bikaner:
By Air
Jodhpur International Airport is the nearest airport to Bikaner. It is located approximately 251 km from the Bikaner city. You get regular flights to Jodhpur from major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, and others.
By Train
There are two railway stations in Bikaner city—Lalgarh Railway Station and Bikaner Railway Station. You get regular trains from the major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi, and others. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel to Bikaner.
By Road
Despite being surrounded by the sands of the Thar Desert, Bikaner is well-connected by roads. You get frequent local and state bus services from the major and minor cities in the state.
