|
« Previous Destination |
Main Page |
Next Destination » |
» BIKANER LOCATION
 [A View Of Bikaner, Rajasthan] |
|
» DISTANCE FROM MAJOR CITIES TO BIKANER
- Delhi - 460 kms.
- Jaipur - 321 kms.
- Jodhpur - 243 kms.
- Jaisalmer - 336 kms.
|
» BIKANER WEATHER
- Temperature in summer : 43.8º C (Max.) - 28.0º C (Min.)
- Temperature in winter : 23.2º C (Max.) - 05.0º C (Min.)
- Rainy Season : July to mid of september and Rainfall 26 to 44 cms.
|
» BIKANER POPULATION
7,79,087 (persons) |
|
» CLOTHING IN BIKANER
Light tropical (cotton) in summer and light woollen in winter |
|
» LANGUAGE IN BIKANER
Rajasthani, Hindi, Bikaneri, Marwari and English |
|
» BIKANER DEMOGRAPHICS
- Males constitute 65.30% of the population and females 34.70%.
- Literacy rate of 57.54 percent
- Male literacy of 70.78% and female literacy of 42.55%.
|
|
» BIKANER HISTORY
Rao Bikaji, a Rathore prince founded Bikaner in 1488 AD by transforming the barren land Jangladesh into a striking city. Later with the initiative of Maharaja Ganga Singh, Bikaner became a noteworthy princely state. Bikaner was also an important trade route that was linked with China and Central Asia.
|
 |
» BIKANER CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Bikaner is famous for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and its sweets. Bikaneri Bhujia is a spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil. Bikaner is also known for its handicrafts and leather articles, for its palaces and for having Asia's biggest camel farm.
The city is also known for its intricately carved Jharokas. These stone screens are found on the windows of forts and havellis - traditionally, women would use the screens to watch the world while remaining hidden.
The red sandstone for these stone window screens is supplied by the nearby village of Dulmera.
Bikaner is also a centre for Usta Art. This centuries old technique is characterised by miniature paintings and gold embossing. The work is carried out on ceilings, pillars, walls, marble, wood, glassware, ivory and - perhaps most beautiful of all - on pieces of camel hide.
|
|
» FESTIVALS & FAIRS IN BIKANER
 [Camel Festival In Bikaner]
- Celebrated on a full moon kartik poornima in November every year, the Kolayat festival is a reminder of the living traditions of ancient India. Also known as the Kapil Muni fair, the Kolayat festival is a festive event of great religious significance for the Hindus.
Pilgrims and tourists congregate at the venue of the Kolayat festival and Kapil Muni fair that is located on the banks of the Kolayat Lake. Pilgrims bathe in the Kolayat Lake on the day of the Kolayat festival and wash away their sins. Fringed by thick banyan trees, the Kolayat Lake creates an aesthetic ambience that forms the ideal venue for the Kolayat festival celebrations.
According to popular legend, the legendary Kapil Muni meditated on the banks of the Kolayat Lake for the emancipation of mankind. In fact Kolayat in Bikaner was known as Kapilayatan after the sage Kapil Muni. The religious significance of Kolayat and the Kolayat fair is evident from the fact that both find a mention in the Puranas, one of the most significant Hindu scriptures.
All the 52 Ghats on the banks of the Kolayat Lake are enlivened with colorful activity, religious incantations and festivities during the Kolayat festival. Offerings of sugar drops, sweetmeats and milk pudding are made at the Kolayat temple that houses a marble statue of the sage Kapil Muni.
The Deepmala ritual lights up the Kolayat Lake at twilight when hundreds of oil lamps are lit and left to float on leaves over the placid waters of the Kolayat Lake.
- Exuberant festivals beginning several days before the actual day of Holi, make it a special and spectacular occasion.
- In Bikaner, married women and maidens fast during the festival. They prepare sweet dishes, carry them to a well, make an offering thereof to the goddess, and return home distributing these as 'prasad' on the way.
|
| |
» PLACES TO BE VISITED IN BIKANER
 [Junagarh Fort In Bikaner]
Junagarh Fort contains 37 palaces and many temples and pavilions. Many of the inner rooms of the palaces are beautifully decorated and painted in traditional style. The walls of the Badal Mahal or Palace of Clouds, are covered with fresco paintings of Krishna and his consort Radha in the midst of rain clouds. The Anup Mahal is a beautiful structure where the inner walls are covered with exquisite lacquer work of red and gold as well as inlay work in glass. Gold leaf has been used to decorate the pillars made of white plaster. The overall effect within the Anup Mahal Palace is very ornate.
- This majestic palace built by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji in 1902 is a magnum opus in red sandstone. This architectural wonder was created by the fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European architecture and exhibits superb craftsmanship in the form of striking latticework and filigree work.
 [Jain Temple In Bikaner]
Havelis are ancient mansions of dwelling of the noble and wealthy. They are known for their opulent life style and intricate carvings and craftsmanship along with sprawling courtyards. Bikaner is full of such havelis and the notable amongst them belong to Kotharis, Rampurias, Vaids and Dagas. To view these havelis the suggested route is Gogagate, Daddhon Ka Chowk, Rangari Chowk, Assanion Ka Chowk, Mohta Chowk, Binnanion Ka Chowk Daga Chowk, BK School and Jassuar Gate.
- Bikaner abounds in beautiful havelis- the ancient luxurious mansions with sprawling courtyards where the nobles or the affluent people of Rajasthan lived. These havelies belonged to the Kotharis, Rampurias,Vaids and Dagas and were located in the regions like Gogagate, Daddhon Ka Chowk and so on.
|
| |
» ATTRACTION IN BIKANER
 [Rat Temple In Bikaner]
- Devi Kund in Bikaner is important as it houses the royal cenotaphs of the mighty rulers who belonged to the Bika dynasty. These cenotaphs are referred to as chattris in the local parlance. The most spectacular chattri at Devi Kund is that of Maharaj Surat Singh. A royal crematorium with several ornamented cenotaphs or 'chhatris' built in the memory of the Bika dynasty rulers. Maharaja Suraj Singh chhatri is the most impressive of all creative entirely in white marble with spectacular Rajput painting on the ceiling. All Devi Kund cenotaphs except the ones belonging to children are pillared canopied structures and the larger and elaborate the cenotaph; more important and significant was the king and his Bikaner reign. One particular tomb of interest is that of Maharaja Surat Singh, built entirely in white marble with spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceiling. One cannot miss the spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceilings.
- Built by Doongar Singhji in the late 10th century. The temple in surrounding by an embattlement wall. It has beautiful painting and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam.
- Spend a day with the indispensable ship of the desert at their camel research and breeding centres which is only one of its kinds in Asia. The farm extends over 2000 acres of semi arid land and is managed by the Central Government. These camels are sold in the cattle fairs of Bikaner and Jaisalmer where they are decorated in all their fineries which are colorful and attractive, complementing the brown terrains of the desert.
- Gajner Palace of Rajasthan is situated near the city of Bikaner. Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji of Bikaner, the palace sprawls over an area of 6000 hectares. Often described as ‘an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert’, Gajner Palace was built as the summer resort of the Maharajas of Bikaner. Standing on the embankment of a lake, the palace presents a picturesque sight. This red sandstone monument is adorned with exquisitely carved pillars, jharokhas and screens. The wooded area around the palace has been converted into a sanctuary. Chinkaras, Blackbucks, Blue bull (Neelgai) and flocks of imperial sand grouse have found a home in this sanctuary.
The Gajner Palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel. Gajner Palace Heritage Hotel, near Jodhpur, counts amongst the premier hotels of Gajner. All the guest rooms of the Palace Hotel are lake facing and provide an enthralling view of the lake. Balancing modernity with traditions, Gajner Place Hotel of Rajasthan takes you back to the royal bygone era. It is also a bird watcher’s paradise, along with being an ideal place to watch Chinkaras, Blackbucks, Blue bull, etc.
- Inaugurated in October 2000, the Prachina Museum is an interesting cultural center that was established by an initiative taken by the daughter of Maharaja Narendra Singhji of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
The Prachina Museum in Bikaner showcases the long lost courtly traditions and glorious royal ways of the Bikaner royalty in a very realistic manner. Essentially a craft museum, the Prachina Museum shows you ethnic Bikaner in a very special way. The basic idea behind the establishment of the Prachina Museum is to create a platform for local artists to showcase their traditional crafts that have been an integral part of the splendid Bikaner culture.
See royal portraits and costumes worn by the members of the royal family on display at the Prachina Museum in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Marvel at accessories on display that were used for religious and other ritualistic purposes in the days of the yore. The gallery of costumes at the Prachina Museum showcases the remnants of a glorious era when clothes were designed for individuals with respect to their social status, personal tastes and personality.
Also on display are European wine glasses, cut glass decorative objects, cutlery and crockery used in the regal kitchen. Perfumes and other interesting things that were an integral part of the Bikaner royal household enchant you as you tour the exhibit sections at the Prachina museum in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
An entire section at the Prachina Museum in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India is devoted to ethnic carpets, unique jali rugs and delicately carved wooden furniture typical to Rajasthan royal homes.
|
» SHOPPING IN BIKANER
Bikaner is very popular for its camel products like purses and slippers made from camel skin that are of great demand in international market. Other items like hand woven carpets and its woodcrafts are much popular among the tourists. The King Edward memorial is the main shopping area offering diverse variety of products of all ranges. |
|
» OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
|
|
» ACCOMMODATION IN BIKANER |
|
|
|
« Previous Destination |
Main Page |
Next Destination » |
