Bikaner tourism

Lying in the north of the desert State, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research and Breeding farms in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides being a mode of transport, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.The history of Bikaner dates back to 1486 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji founded his kingdom. Bikaji was one the five sons of Rao Jodhaji the illustrious founder of Jodhpur. But Rao Bikaji was the most adventurous of them. It is said that an insensitive remark from his father about his whispering in the Durbar provoked Bikaji to set up his own kingdom towards the north of Jodhpur. The barren wilderness called Jangladesh became his focul point and he transformed it into an impressive city. He accomplished this task with 100 cavalry horses and 500 soldiers, and established his kingdom on 84 villages abandoned by the 'Shankhlas'. When Bikaji died in 1504 his rule had extended to over 3000 villages.
 The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient caravan routes that came from West/Central Asia made it a prime trade centre in those times. Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven km long embattledwall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Surging lanes, colourful bazaars with bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting experience..
Modern Bikaner is the result of the foresight of its most eminent ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943) whose reformative zeal set the pace for Bikaner transformation from a principality to a premier princely state. 

About Bikaner 
Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides doing transportation duties, also works on wells.

These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance. The history of Bikaner dates back to 1488 when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji founded his kingdom. Bikaji was one the five sons of Rao Jodhaji the illustrious founder of Jodhpur. But Rao Bikaji was the most adventurous of them. It is said that an insensitive remark from his father about his whispering in the Durbar provoked Bikaji to set up his own kingdom towards the north of Jodhpur.
The barren wilderness called Jangladesh became his focus point and he transformed it to an impressive city. He accomplished his task with 100 cavalry horses and 500 soldiers, and established his kingdom on 84 villages abandoned by the 'Shankhlas'. When Bikaji died in 1504 his rule had extended to over 3000 villages.

Modern Bikaner is the result of the foresight of its most eminent ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887 1943) whose reformative zeal set the pace for Bikaner transformation from a principality to a premier princely state. The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient caravan routes that came from West/Central Asia made it a prime trade centre in those times.

Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Surging lanes, colourful bazaars with bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting experience to explore. 
SHOPPING

Bikaner, known in the world for it's "BHUJIA & PAPADS", spicy snacks made from fried gram and pulses and also for "RASGULLAS" (a dessert). Bikaner has attained popularity for items stitched out of camel hide which includes belts, wallets, bags, and Jutties (footwear) etc. Government Khadi Emporium at Mahatma Gandhi Road for local blankets, rugs, carpets, wood carvings and lacquer work.
	Camel and sheep wool woven carpets and woolen items can be purchased from here. Raw wool produced in Bikaner is renown for its quality and has proved best for making carpets . Bikaner wool blended with New Zealand wool has approved ideal for making carpets. Bikaner is rich in jewellery and has a unique style. Some of the traditional designs are Rikhari, Timaniya, Bala, Bajuband,Gajara, Gokharu, Jod etc .
It is famous for enameled form of jeweller that is known as Kundan. Uncut stones, usually diamonds, are set into gold: the back uses enamel ornamentation in the "raised field" technique so that figures and floral designs can be set within hollows created by gold lines within which rich patinas of enamel are painted in. This same champleve style is extended to ornamentation on everything from swords to condiment boxes and goblets where it's brilliance can be more publicly exhibited.
	Also worth buying are 'Nokha Quilts', known for light weight and better insulation. Beautiful cotton fabrics including sanganeri prints, tie & dies, paintings, embroidered shoes etc. are the best buys for women. In Junagarh at the entrance is an excellent craft shop run by Urmul Trust. Items sold here are of high quality and made by people of surrounding villages. Proceeds go directly to improve health and education projects in these villages.
The main shopping area lies around Kote Gate and Junagarh Fort which has interesting bazzars FESTIVALS AND FAIR Camel Festival A lively and colorful event, The Camel Festival, is organized by Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner during January each year. Camels, the stalwart of the desert give an unmatched performance in the festival, bringing the desert town to life with its spell binding display of graceful parades, camel races, camel dances and many other camel acrobatics. Camel Festival Date for this year: 13-14 Jan 2006 Camel Festival Date for next year: 02-03 Jan 2007 Karni Mata Fair The fair is celebrated twice a year in the little desert citadel of Deshnok, in honour of Goddess Karni Mata, the tutelary deity of the Bikaner royal house. The devotees gather at Deshnok during the Navratra, in March/April and September/October and the fair is held on the ninth day of Navratra, amidst the chanting of hymns and prayers, devotees offer their prayers and the celebrations have a distinct religious flavor. Kapil Muni Fair The sacred lake of Kolayat 55 Km from Bikaner is the venue of this fair .Its held during the full moon of kartik (Nov). The devotees come to take a holy dip in the lake. At this time ,all the fifty ghats bordering the lake are crowded. In addition to the worship of saint Kapil Muni , the propounder of Sankhya, one of the six major philosophical schools, thousands of people also visit the cattle fair held here at this time. Gangaur Fair The festival of maidens and married women .Women attired in their best costumes and jewelers , pray to Gauri , an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. This eighteen day long festival begins the day after holi. Married women pray for the well being and long life of their husband and the young ladies seek the blessings for a life partner of their choice. Processions of Gauri , are taken out with pomp and gaiety from Junagarh and the old city. Women sing melodious folk songs, accompanied by musicians and bands . Kite Festival (akha teej) Kite Flying is a cultural tradition of this region bearing special significance because of its direct connection with the foundation of this city. It serves to commemorate this historical fact and shows gaiety and involvement of people. Despite sand-storms and slightly hot climate people celebrate the festival with traditional flavour. Sky remains full of KITES of varying colours, shapes and sizes. People of all ages participate with zeal and vigour in this fest. It generally falls in April/May ,date relying on Hindu calendar. HOTELS Bikaner, erstwhile princely state of Rajasthan boasts of numerous royal residences. Some of these bastions of history have been converted into hotels, which have managed to keep their flavour as medieval homes intact. Also in the city are hotels with state of the art facilities all to make your stay memorable. Heritage/Palace Hotels(Names are according to category and then alphabetically ordered) Hotel Name Address Phone Lallgarh Palace(Heritage Grand) Lallgarh Palace Complex, Bikaner 91-151-2540201 Bhanwar Niwas (Heritage Classic) Rampuria Street, Bikaner 91-151-2201043 Basant Vihar Palace NH-15, Sri Ganganagar Road, Bikaner 91-151-2250675 Gajner Palace Gajner (35 Km) from Bikaner 91-1534-255063 Karni Bhawan Palace Gajner Road, Bikaner 91-151-2524701 Laxmi Niwas Palace Lallgarh Palace Complex, Bikaner 91-151-2521188 Star Hotels(Names are according to category and then alphabetically ordered) Hotel Raj Vilas Palace(3 Star Hotel) Near Public Park, Bikaner 91-151-2525901 Heritage Resort Jaipur Road (7 Kms from Bikaner) 91-151-2752393 Resorts(Names are alphabetically ordered) Balaji Resort Raisar Village, Jaipur Road 17 Kms from Bikaner 91-151-2746902 Fun 'n' Food Resort N.H. 11, Jaipur Road, Bikaner 91-151-2752420 Marudyan Resort Jaipur Road (7 Kms), Bikaner 91-151-2746945 Mid Range Hotels(Names are alphabetically ordered) Hotel Bothra Planet Bothra Complex, Bikaner 91-151-2544501 Hotel Dhola Maru Near Major Pooran Singh Circle, Bikaner 91-151-2529621 Hotel Harasar Haveli Near Karni Stadium, Bikaner 91-151-2209891 Hotel Jaswant Bhawan Daudsar House, Alakh Sager Road, Bikaner 91-151-2521834 Joshi Hotel Joshi Building, Station Road, Bikaner 91-151-2527700 Hotel Marudhar Heritage Gangashahar Road, Bikaner 91-151-2522524 Meghsar Castle 9, Gajner Road, Bikaner 91-151-2527315 Sagar Hotel Lallgarh Palace Complex, Bikaner 91-151-2520677 Shivam Hotel Sadul Ganj, Bikaner 91-151-2203112 Shri Ram Hotel Sadul Ganj, Bikaner 91-151-2522651 Thar Hotel PBM Hospital Road, Bikaner 91-151-2543050 Budget/Economy Hotels(Names are alphabetically ordered) Jaidev Plaza Near Railway Station, Rani Bazar, Bikaner 91-151-544422