Bikaner

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Bikaner is a city in north-west Rajasthan, India.

[edit] Get in

Bikaner can be reached by train from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Agra, Punjab and other major Indian towns. It can also be reached by road from Delhi Via Shekawati or Jaipur. The Highways are very good however the country roads in the shekawati region can be a bit dampner. The road from Jaipur Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are the best roads. The nearest Airport is Jodhpur (around 4.5 hours journey) and is well connected by road and rail. However, travelling via Jaipur (6.5 hours distance) gives you more option in terms of flight frequency and choice of Airlines. Overall it comes out to be cheaper (due to availablility of low-cost airlines) if you travel via Jaipur.

[edit] Get around

Getting around in Bikaner is best done using Three Wheelers and Tangas ( Horse Carts) due to the fact that streets are too narrow and busy for a four wheeler. These would be very cheap and a day's hire must not cost more that 250 rupees. Cycles can be hired near Railway Station.

[edit][add listing] See

  • JUNAGARH FORT: The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner who reigned from 1571 to 1612. It is a fort of the Bikaner royal family. You will get a chance to know about the history of the Bikaner royal family. Also has a museum which displays weapons, ornaments of the previous era. This is one of the oldest forts in India.
  • LAXMI NIWAS PALACE: The Laxmi Niwas Palace is a former residential palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Maharajah Ganga Singh in Bikaner in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was designed by the British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in the year 1902. The style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic. It is now a luxury hotel owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd.
  • LALGARH: Lalgarh is another fort of the Rajputana family. Some of the the Rajputana kings used to stay here. You will see the royal story of the Rajputana family.
  • DESHNOK TEMPLE: This is a temple of a local deity, "Karni Mata". It is believed that the "Karni Mata" used to take care of the Rajputana family. This temple has a mice infestation but the locals believe them to be holy and that seeing a certain white mouse is very auspicious. Be careful while walking inside the temple, you might stamp a mouse.
  • KARNI MATA TEMPLE: this temple is 32 kilometres from bikaner

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Must try Authentic Rajasthani ( Marwari food). Dal Batti, Bajaariki Roti, Panch Bhel ki sabji, Saangri ka aachar and so on. Trying Bikaneri bhujia and other namkeens is also a must. The most popular areas to have good food are around Kote Gate - Staion Road area. Lots of good quality sweet and namkeen ( snacks ) shops are around this area.

For a foodie a visit to Bhujia Bazaar ( yes Bikaner does have a market named on famous Bikaneri Bhujia) and Chai Patti is a must. You will just fall in love with the Kachoris and Samosas at Chai Patti.

More on it later......

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Laxmi Niwas Palace-Hotel, The Laxmi Niwas Palace Dr. Karni Singhji Road, Bikaner, Rajasthan (India) 334001, ☎ +919717377577 (), [1]. The Laxmi Niwas Palace is a former residential palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Mahārāja Ganga Singh in Bikaner. It is a 106 year old palace with 45 standard rooms and 15 royal suites, all are air-conditioned and many of them have direct access to an open terrace. No more than 2 rooms are alike. It is a well-maintained palace with really huge suites with big bathrooms. They have indoor games like billiards and ping pong. They have restaurants, conference rooms and a bar in the WiFi enabled palace. There's a 6 acre lawn in front of the palace where parties can be organized. Rajasthani folk singers/dancers perform at the palace every evening. They have pictures of the royal family with the relevant historical factoids on the hallway walls which can be very informative for those interested. They also arrange "Sand dune dinners" with cultural programs at a desert site nearby. You can check the hotel website but don't try online-booking there because it's currently not working. edit

[edit] Get out

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