Bikaner is a desert city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in western India. Bikaner state was founded in the 15th century and persists until shortly after India's Independence in 1947. It was previously the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was established by Rao Bika in 1486 and now it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. Bikaner has four sub divisions (tahsils):

• Kolayat
• Lunkaransar
• Nokha
• Sri Dungargarh.

Transport

Being a well-known trade and tourist destination, Bikaner is connected to India's major cities through direct rail and road services. There is currently no passenger air link to Bikaner. Bikaner has a well-resourced military airport at Nal and hopes to have a passenger airport in the near future.

Weather

Bikaner is situated in the center of the Thar Desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. Temperatures exceed 50 °C during summer and in winter, it becomes very chilly.

Art & Culture

Bikaner is famed for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and its sweets. Bikaner is also known for its palaces, for its handiworks and leather items. Bikaner has Asia's biggest camel farm. The city is also known for its intricate carved Jharokas.
Usta Art, a standard term for Art produced by Usta Masters has also its origin from Bikaner and is very famous.

Major attractions in Bikaner and nearby

Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort is an impressive fort situated in the city. The fort was initially called Chintamani and was renamed Junagarh or "Old Fort" in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan not built on a top of hill. It was built under the supervision of Karan Chand, the prime minister of Raja Rai Singh who is the sixth ruler of Bikaner. Construction of the walls and associated moat began in 1588 and were completed in 1593. Within the fort following buildings are for visiting:

• Suraj Pol
• Lal Niwas
• Durga Niwas
• Anup Mahal - A private meeting chamber.
• Vikram Mahal - A darbar hall: A biplane presented to Maharaja Ganga Singh is on display in the hall.
• Fort Museum
• Chandra Mahal and Phul Mahal
• Karan Mahal

Laxmi Niwas Palace

This Palace is an ex- residential palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Maharajah Ganga Singh in Bikaner. It was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, an British architect, in the year 1902 in Indo-Saracen architecture style. Now it is turned into a luxury hotel owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd. The wonderful structure in red sandstone is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Bikaner.

Lalgarh Palace

The palace was constructed between 1902 and 1926 according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural fashion. The building was commissioned by the British controlled regency for Maharaja Ganga Singh while he was still in his minority as they considered the existing Junagarh palace inapt for a modern monarch. Ganga Singh decided that the palace should be named in memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh.The complex was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, an British architect. Lord Curzon was the palace's first prominent guest. Ganga Singh was well-known for his shikars (hunting) at his hunting preserve at Gajner.
The three storey complex is coated in red sandstone extracted from the Thar Desert. The complex contains the features considered essentials for a late 19th century palace; living rooms, smoking rooms, guest suites, several magnificent halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions including a dining room which could place 400 diners. The complex features grand pillars, highly structured fire places, Italian arcades and complicated latticework and filigree work. The Karni Niwas wing accommodates the darbar hall and an art deco indoor swimming pool. At present the palace houses the following places:

• The Shri Sadul Museum which is situated in the west wing which also contains the fourth largest private library in the world. The museum is open for public from 10:00AM to 5:00PM on all weekdays except on Sunday.
• In one wing the personal home of the Bikaner Royal Family.
• The Lalgarh Palace Hotel - a luxury hotel operated by the Welcome Heritage Group.
• The Laxmi Niwas Palace - a luxury hotel owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd.

Moolnayakji

Moolnayakji was the first Viashnav Temple, Constructed in 1486 built in Bikaner. It was the prime seat of the Vaishanv sect. The first of the Bhagavad Katha Vachaks of the Rattani Vyas kin of Bikaner Shri Rattoji Vyas gave the Bhagavad Updesh to the king, Rao Bika and his supporter Salloji Rathi. This practice is still carried at present. The presiding divinity is Lord Moolnayak Krishna.

Laxmi Nath Temple

Lakshmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples of Bikaner which was erected during the supremacy of Rao Lunkaran and prides yourself due to the superb archeological skills of artists and artisans. It being a chronological monument has special identity. This temple was later developed by Maharaja Ganga Singh. Statues of divinity- Vishnu and Laxmiji - have all along received the unwavering dedication of numerous people through the last four and half centuries.

Kolayat

Kolayat is a town 51km from Bikaner on the highway to Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Kolayat is an historical centre of pilgrimage where Kapil Muni, a Vedic sage, is believed to have shed his body under a Peepal tree. Kolayat has a sequence of marble temples, sandstone pavilions and 52 ghats (bathing places) constructed around a large artificial lake which never goes dry.
A temple dedicated to Kapil Muni is the site for an annual fair held in the month of Kartik Poornima (Oct-Nov on the day of the full moon), thousands of devotees of the Sankhya philosophy gather to take a bathe in the holy waters of Lake Kapil Sarovar. The lake is believed to have the supremacy to wash away the sins of devotees. A farm animal’s fair, primarily for the trading of camels is part of the festivities.

Karni Mata Temple

Karni Mata temple is a 600-year-old Hindu temple at Deshnoke near Bikaner in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Karni Mata is believed to be the embodiment of Hindu goddess Durga. The peculiarity of this temple is that numerous rats are worshipped here. The temple in its present form was accomplished in the early 20th century in late Mughal style by Maharaja Ganga Singh.
This temple is dedicated to Karni Mata. There is a tale that she prophesied the conquest of Rao Bika. The rats are seen as sacred, owing to the faith that the souls of the followers of Karni Mata are in these rats and thus they must be looked after. The vast silver gates to the temple and the marble carvings were a donation of Maharaja Ganga Singh. During Navratri thousands of people come to the temple on foot. If one of the rats is killed, it must be reinstated with one made of solid gold.

Shiv Bari Temple

Shiv Badri Temple is built from red sandstone by Dungar Singh in the late 19th century; and is surrounded by a wall with battlements. This temple has a four faced black marble statue of Shiva and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam. There are also two large pools of water known as bawaris. The temple catch the attention of thousands of visitors during Shravan (August) especially on Mondays.

Other attractions of Bikaner

• Camel Farm
• Raj Ratan Bihariand Rasik Siromani Temple
• Bhandasar Jain Temple
• Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
• Havelis
• Kalibangan.
• Public Park and Zoo
• Lakshmiminath Temple
• Vaishno Dham
• Rajasthan State Archives
• Devi Kund Sagar.
• Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary

Festivals and fairs

Beside Karni Mata fair and Kapil Muni fair, some other fairs are also the center of attraction. They are:

• Camel festival is organized by the state government each January. Attractions are camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidhas.
• Akshaye Tratiya or "AKKHA TEEJ" is the foundation day of Bikaner. Every year on this day people from across the social band enjoy themselves by flying kites or "CHANDA". They also enjoy a special food such as "Khichra and Imlani".
• Gangaur