Bikaner, a cultural paradise and a traveller’s refuge, is located in the midst of the Thar Desert. The dazzling city is one of the three great desert kingdoms of Rajasthan, and it boasts of old-world charm, affluent havelis along with the bygone era of the Rajputs. Known for some of the world’s best riding camels, Bikaner is aptly nicknamed ‘Camel Country’. Moreover, one of the only two models of the biplane used by the British in World War 1 can also be seen in this desert city.
If you want to be bombarded by beautiful colours and delight in the rich culture of a place, this is the place to be. You can also become a part of its international camel festival that attracts tourists from all over the world. And when you are here, indulging in delicacies such as thandai and bhujias is a must. You can also shop for lovely lacquer items as souvenirs.
If you are a lover of camels, or a history, art, culture buff, travelling to Bikaner is definitely a good idea. I spent two days here and got to witness a myriad of places – everything ranging from forts to camel farms
Timings:
Open all days from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm
Entry fee:
Rs 50 for Indians and Rs 300 for foreigners
Ideal time to visit:
Two hours
If you are someone who loves knowing about the rich Indian history or is simply smitten by the wonders of architecture, then Junagarh Fort is a must-visit for you. The palaces inside the fort, gardens, balconies, etc. all portray an exquisite architectural style that is influenced by different rulers and foreign ideas. A huge number of items belonging to 16 generations of rulers of Bikaner starting from the late 16th century are on display. An epitome of architectural brilliance, thousands of tourists are attracted by the stunning structures of the fort every year.
The fort is so gigantic in size that you may not be able to figure out the way to go ahead. So, try to stick to the guide (You don’t have to pay any extra money for that). He will meet you at the entrance and give you the tour of the fort along with telling you all the important facts. And if you want to roam around on your own, then you can do that as well.
Prachina Bikaner Cultural Centre & Museum
Timings:
Open all days from 10 am to 6.00 pm
Entry fee:
Rs 30 for Indians and Rs 100 for foreigners
Ideal time:
1 hour
This museum is located inside the fort premises. It depicts the Western influence on the Bikaner royals before independence. A number of exquisite items like crockery from England and France, menu cards from 1936, portraits of former rulers, contemporary art, jewellery, costumes, European wine glasses, beautifully crafted rugs and carpets, mirrors, etc. are on display.
Timings:
Open all days from 10 am to 5:30 pm
Entry fee:
Rs 25 for Indians and Rs 50 for foreigners
Movie camera charges:
Rs 150 per camera
Filming charges:
Rs 20,000 per day
Research scholar’s fee:
On request
Ideal time:
1 hour
The museum is located within the Lallgarh Palace complex, which is deep in the heart of the Thar Desert. Here, you can see various artefacts, miniature paintings, medals, pieces of armours, and other items of royal use. Photos of events, exquisite garments worn by Maharajas, gifts and several art and craft items are on display. It also showcases a royal railway carriage. The museum is worth a visit if you are a history buff or an art lover.
Timings:
Open all days from 2.00 pm to 6.30 pm (April to September) and 12 pm to 6.30 pm (October to March)
The ticket counter is open up to 6 pm.
Entry fee:
Rs 50 for Indians
Ideal time:
Two hours
This is a must-visit for all animal lovers. It is one of the most unique tourist places in Bikaner. You can see different breeds of camels and observe their behaviour. There is also a camel museum at the entrance displaying the developmental and research aspects in the desert ecosystem. You can see different camel breeds here such as Bikaneri Camels, Jaisalmeri Camels, Kachchhi Camel, Mewari Camels and Jalori Camels.
It was lovely so see calves playing with their mother in a separate unit and the deafening noise the adult camels were making. The milk parlor is a special attraction here that sells camel milk products like ice-cream, along with hot and cold beverages.
Timings:
Open at all hours on all days
Entry fee:
Free
Ideal time:
30 minutes
'The pride of Bikaner', the Rampuria Haveli is one of the most popular heritage sites in the city. Demonstrating striking arty abilities, it has been constructed with Dulmera red sandstone. There is no requirement of any ticket or a guide to appreciate the wonderful beauty of the designs that are portrayed on the walls of this haveli. Walk through the narrow lanes between them to witness them in all their glory. You are not allowed to go inside, thus you have to observe it from outside only. The best time to wander here is early morning when the roads are empty.
Best time to visit:
The most suitable time to travel to Bikaner would be from September to April. The temperature is cooler during these months. Avoid going there during summer that begins in April. From May to July, the temperature may rise as high as 45 degrees Celsius. The monsoons last through to September, which makes it quite humid there.
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