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Bikaner was founded in 1486 by Bika, one of the fourteen sons of Rao Jodha. Bikaner - lying in the north of the desert state, bikaner is dotted with many sand dunes. More popularly called the camel country , Bikaner is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The exotic camel safaris, its gorgeous forts and the worship of thousands of holy rats at Karni Mata temple are some of the most interesting aspects of Bikaner. The camel festival at Bikaner held in the month of January is also an event worth witnessing if one wants to get the actual color of the place.
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PLACE OF INTEREST AT BIKANER
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Forts & Palaces : |
Juna-Garh, Lall-Garh, Gajner Palace |
Temples : |
Shiv-Bari, Devi-Kund Sagar, Deshnok Temple, Bhandeshwar Jain Temple, Ratan Bihari Temple |
Museums : |
Ganga Singh Museum, Sadul Museum, Old Museum |
Other Places : |
Camel Research Center, Katariasar Village, Kolayat, |
Fairs & Festivals : |
Camel Festival, Gangaur Festival, Kolayat Fair, Holi |
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::: Forts & Palaces :::
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Junagarh Fort It is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat.
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Lalgarh Palace This grand palace is an architectural masterwork in red sandstone, and was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh Ji in 1902. Sir Swinton Jacob designed this oriental fantasy. This architecture is a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European architecture. The exterior contrasts dramatically with the oriental interiors and amenities.
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Gajner Palace Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar. Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna.
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Shiv Bari Temple Shiv Bari Temple (6 kms from Bikaner) Fortified by a high wall the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
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Devi Kund Devi Kund (8 kms from Bikaner) The royal crematorium has several exquisite cenotaphs (Chhatris).
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Deshnok Temple [Karni Mata Ji] The Karni Mata temple, 30kms from Bikaner, is dedicated to an early fifteenth century mystic who was considered to be reincarnation of goddess Durga; she blessed Rao Bika and has been the tutelary daily of Bikaner dynasty. The specialty of the temple is that is inhabited by legious of brown rats, which scurry around the complex without any fear. The rats are believed to be repositories of the souls of dead ‘Charans’ the traditional bards. It is believed that the Maharajah of Bikaner had a vision in which the goddess asked him to protect the rats and for this reason. The temple has a rich carved entrance and superb silver doors with images of gods embossed on it; these were donated by Maharajah Ganga Singh.
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Bhandeswari Jain Temple Bhandeswari Jain Temple is a fifteenth century temple and is the oldest monument of Bikaner. The temple is decorated with rich mirror work, frescoes and gold leaf paintings.
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Ratan Bihari Ji Temple A splendid temple building made of white marble. It is a fime example of Indo-Mugal architecture, situated on King Edwats Memotial Road, near Junagarh Fort. The temple was built by the 18th rular of Bikaner state, Lork Ratan Singh, in 1846 A.D., It is dedicated to Lord Krichna. The outer portion of this this temple has an ethereal beauty.
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::: Museums :::
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Ganga Singh Museum
Popularly described as the best museum in the state, it displays a rich array of archaeological discoveries from prehistoric Harrapan and early Gupta period.
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Sadul Museum Popularly described as the best museum in the state, it displays a rich array of archaeological discoveries from prehistoric Harrapan and early Gupta period.
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OLD Museum It's a museum located in the great Junagarh Fort. The museum is dedicated to royal costumes, textiles and accessories.
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::: Other Places :::
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Camel Research Farm
Camel Research Farm (8 km): 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 AsiaIndian Council of Agricultural research of central Goverment (I.C.A.R.) established the National Research Centre on camel (N.R.C.C.) in 1975 A.D. and its was set up in Bikaner. (Raj.). The farm is considered unique int the whole of Asia. In the beginning it was under the charge of Rajasthan state goverment but from July 5th, 1984, it has been under the charge of the central Gaverment of India. Travellers used to enjoy better facilities when the farm was under the state Gaverment of Raj.
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Katariasar Village It is located 50 kilometres from Bikaner. It is a temple complex of Kolyat and a holy place of pilgrimage for Hindus.
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Kolayat Kolayat is located 50 kilometres from Bikaner. It is a temple complex of Kolayat and a holy place of pilgrimage for Hindus.
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::: Fairs & Festivals :::
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Camel festival A spectacular event of camel performances, camel races, camel acrobatics dances and camel milking competition are a part of of the celebrations.
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Gangaur Festival Dedicated to Goddess Parvati- the consort of Lord Shiva. Grand processions of the deity accompanied by dancing women are a part of the eighteen day long celebrations.
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Kolayat Fair Coincides with Pushkar fair when pilgrims take a holy dip in the Kolayat lake on the full moon day in the month of Kartik.
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Holi Exuberant festivals beginning several days before the actual day of Holi, make it a special and spectacular occasion.
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