Bikaner
Rajput Rao Bikaji started to build this city in 1465 and completed in 1488 AD. Like other cities of Rajasthan this is also surrounded by a wall there are five entrance gates to enter in the city. It is 248 km from Jodhpur and is situated in the desert.
Places of Tourist interest
The Bikaner Fort (Junagadh Fort) - It was built by Raja Rai Singh between the years of 1589 -1594 AD and is surrounded by a wall with two entrance gates. ‘Suraj pole’ is the main gate. Among the places of interest are the Chandra Mahal, with paintings, mirrors and carved marble panels. The Phool Mahal is decorated with glass and mirrors. The Karan Mahal was built to commemorate a notable victory over the Mughal Aurangzeb. The Anoop Mahal is famous for it's gold leaf painting. Other palaces worth visiting are the Dungar Niwas, Ganga Nivas, Gaj Mandir, Rang Mahal, Bijai Mahal. Gigantic columns, imposing arches and graceful scenes, minarets and pavilions, in fact, make it worth a repeat visit. Karan pole, Doulat pole and Fateh pole are the gates built by Maharaja Karan Singh in 1632 AD and inside the fort a tank was built by Maharaja Suraj Singh. Singh pole gate and Dev Vilas palace were built by Maharaja Dungar Singh in 1887 AD.
Gajner Mahal - It is 34 kilometers away from Bikaner on the bank of a lake. Gajner Palace was the summer resort of Bikaner Maharajas and was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. It has outstanding architectural beauty.
Lallgarh Palace - The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, built by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881 AD-1942 AD) in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh between 1902 -1926.This magnificent palace is an example of Rajput martial architecture. Designed by British architect Sir Swinton Jacob, this palace has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions.
Bhandsar temple - It's a beautiful Jain temple from the 16th century sacred to the 23rd tirthankara Parsavanathji. The construction was started in 1468 AD by a rich Jain merchant and only finished in 1514 AD.
Karni mata temple - It is 24 kilometers away from Bikaner in Deshnok village. There are innumerable ‘holy rats’ in the temple. There are innumerable ‘rats’ in the temple that are considered sacred. The management arranges for the feeds of the rats. To torture or kill any of these rat is considered a sin. This temple was built by Maharaja Suraj Singh. Samadhis - This place is 7 km from Bikaner at the bank of Devikund. Here several Chattries can be seen that Maharajas of Bikaner built. Chhatri of Maharaja Karan Singh and another of Maharaja Anup Singh are majestic
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum: This museum has one of the biggest collections of terracotta, weapons, painted miniatures from the Bikaner school and coins. The exposed artifacts are marvelous examples from the Harappan civilization, Gupta- and Kushan age, also sculptures from the late classic period. The museum also possesses a separate part with exclusive art and crafts works from the region.