Sight Seeing

Sight Seeing,camel festival
  JUNAGARH FORT

Jungarh Fort - Camel Festival 2012

The impregnable fort, which has the distinction of remaining unconquered. Raja Rai Singh (1571-1611 AD) one of the most outstanding generals of Emperor Akbar, built this impressive fort. It is encircled by moat and houses many outstanding palaces, pavilions, and temples made of red sandstone and marble with kiosks and balconies. The fort is approached through the Karan Pol, which is the main entrace. Some palaces of interest inside the fort are Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure. Har Mandir – a majestic chapel where the royal family worshiped their gods and goddesses. Chandra Mahal or Moon palace, has exquisite paintings on the lime plaster walls and Phool Mahal or the Flower palace, is decorated with inset mirror work. The gigantic columns, arches and graceful screens grace the palaces. The other important parts are Durbar Hall, Gaj Mandir, Sheesh Mahal or Mirror chamber & Karan Mahal etc. it also houses a museum possessing a rich treasure of the area, and other rare items which are several centuries old.
 Timings : 10 AM to 4.30 PM

Entry Fee : Rs. 50/- for Foreign visitors.
Rs. 10/- for Indian visitors.
Rs. 30/-for an ordinary camera &
Rs. 100/- for movie camera.

  PRACHINA

PRACHINA is a young institution founded in the year 2000. It is a small museum of royal costumes and textiles, family portraits of the former rulers, their changing cultural milieus from generation to generation, their response to western influences, their ritualism and religious accessories, and the legacy of their patronage which survives in Bikaner’s contemporary arts and crafts till date.
Crafts demonstration by leading artisans of Bikaner are held from time to time.
Timings : 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM

Entry Fee : Rs. 10/- for Indian visitors.
Rs. 25/- for Foreign visitors.

  DR. L.P. TESSITORI’S GRAVE
  Dr. L.P. Tessitori an Italian scholar, who came to Bikaner in 1915 AD, is popularly known for his great contribution to bardic literature of this region. Dr. Tessitori was a great philologist and archaeologist, who conducted excavations, bardic surveys and translated several manuscripts and literary works. He worked and died in Bikaner. His grave is situated near Circuit House, Bikaner.
  GANGA GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

Rated among the best museums in the state, it has a rich collection of antiquities dating back from Harappan civillization and early Gupta period. A separate section for arts and crafts, and a beautiful collection of paintings, antique Rajput weaponry, terra cottas, pottery, carpets and coins etc. are displayed. The marble statue of Goddess Saraswati excavated from a 10th century Jain Temple at Pallu, is one of the most proud possessions of this museum.
Timings : 10 AM to 4.30 PM

Entry Fee :Rs. 3/- (Closed on Friday and Govt.Holidays)

  SADUL MUSEUM & LALLGARH PALACE COMPLEX

This museum is housed in the upper story of Sadul Niwas building of Lallgarh Palace, which was donated by late His Highness Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji of Bikaner to Maharaja Sri Ganga Singhji Trust Bikaner, in the year 1972.

This museum depicts the lives and times of the three successive Maharajas of Bikaner i.e. Maharaja Ganga Singhji ,Maharaja Sadul Singhji and Maharaja Karni Singhji through the various artefacts and photographs displayed in 22 rooms.

Timings : 10 AM to 05.00 PM(Closed on Sundays)

Entry Fee : Rs. 20/- for Foreign visitors.
Rs. 10/- for Indian visitors.
Rs. 30/-for an ordinary camera &
Rs. 50/- for movie camera.

Lallgarh an imposing red sandstone palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singhji in memory of his father Maharaj Lal Singhji in 1902 AD. this oriental fantacy, 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 categorised 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.

  HAVELIES OF BIKANER
Havelis of Bikaner

Bikaner abounds in beautiful havelis and mansions belonging to the business houses of those times. These are beautiful structures in red sandstone , richly decorated with intricate carvings.The notable havelis belong to Kotharis, Rampurias, Baids, Dagas, Mohtas, Daddhas and many others. To see these havelies the best route is Gogagate, Daddhon-ka-chowk, Rangri Chwok, Assanion-ka-chowm, Mohta chowk, Binnanion-ka-chowk, Daga Chowk, B.K.School and Jassusar Gate.

  BHANDESHWAR JAIN TEMPLE & LAXMINATHJI TEMPLE

The 15th century temple,is the oldest existing monument of Bikaner ,dedicated to Sumatinath Ji the 5th Tirthankar of the Jain religion.The temple is decorated with rich mirror work,frescoes and gold leaf painting.The famous temple of Laxminathji is in the adjoining campus.

  WOOD FOSSILS

An individual collection-displays 110 million years old wood fossils.In the collection there are pieces of tree trunks,different plants and also some animal fossils,which were found around Bikaner city.This collection is registered in Limca Book of Records.

 Contact Person : Mr.Manohar Ji Kiradu (Narsing Lal Kiradu)
 Phone :2203408 Near Nathusar Gate
 Visiting hours :04.30 PM to 06.30PM

  SHIV BARI TEMPLE (5 km)

Fortified with high walls ,this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva,It was built by Maharaja Dungar Singhji in the 19th century.The temple has some beautiful paintings and a Nandi Bull facing the Shiva Lingam.The temple is situated on the way to Camel farm.

  NATIONAL RESERCH CENTRE ON CAMEL (Camel Farm-7 km.)

The farm is unique and the only one of its kind in entire Asia.

 Timings :2 PM to 5 PM. Open on all days.
 Photography Fee: Rs.10/- per camera.

  NATIONAL RESERCH CENTRE ON EQUINES (HorseFarm-7 km.)

Main objective of the center is to improve and conserve Marwari horses and also to produce French male donkeys for improving indigenous donkeys and Mule production. Tonga (Horse Carriage) and horse riding is available on payment.
Visiting Hours :3.00 to 5.00 PM on working days only.
Phone : 2232541

  ROYAL CENOTAPHS AT DEVI KUND SAGAR (8 km)

The royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs which were built in memory of the deceased members of the ruling family of Bikaner . The Chantries (Cenotaphs) of the early rulers were made from red sand stone,ornamentation on which resembles very much with carving work on some of the buildings of Fathepur Sikri.The later cenotaphs were made from marble and very beautifully sculpted and ornamented. Rajput paintings adorn the ceiling of some of the cenotaphs.

  EXCURSIONS
  DESHNOK KARNI MATA TEMPLE

The little town , on the road to Jodhpur , is known for the shrine of Karni Mata,who was born in 1387 AD in a Charan family. Karni Mata is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Druga.She blessed Rao Bika ,the founder of Bikaner in establishing his kingdom and since then she was also workshiped as the tutelary deity of the erstwhile Bikaner dyansty.

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 goddess) who inhabit the town of deshnok.These kabas (Rats) are held sacred and they move freely in the temple precincts.It is considered highly auspicious to sight a white kaba.
The temple has a richly carved entrance and superb silver doors with images of Gods embossed on them. These were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singhji.

  GAJNER PALACE & WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (32 km)

The wildlife sanctuary amidst green surrounding on the road to Jaisalmer ,is a haven for Chinkara,Black Buck,Nilgai,Wild Boar and Imperial sandgrouse and many other birds and waterfowls which flock here in large numbers.
The pink sandstone palace reflects beautifully in the water of the lake.The palace has been converted into a heritage hotel.
Entry Fee : Palace area – Rs.100/- per head
Rs.1000/- per vehicle for Sanctuary.

  KOLAYATJI (50 km)

An ancient pilgrimage centre, with a temple of Kapil Muni of the vedic period, he shed his body under a peepal tree. This place is a congregation of many magnificent temples with sandstone pavilions and ghats (bathing place) built around the artificial lake. Kapil Muni was the propounder of ‘Sankhya Yoga’.

  KATARIASAR VILLAGE (45 km)

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 life style. Villager’s 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 patridges are found in plenty around the village.