Bikaner

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Bikaner

Bikaner is a city in north-western Rajasthan state in western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. One of the most famous landmarks of Bikaner is Deshnokh Temple, a temple where rats roam around freely, and spotting a white rat is considered lucky. The Bikaner city was founded by Rao Bikaji in 1486 and it progressed from small place to big city of the western desert. The Gang canal, now the Indira Gandhi Canal has changed the area. The city has diversified industrially. Bikaner wool, gypsum, plaster of Paris, and bentonite are few minerals found in abundant around Bikaner.

Climate

Bikaner situated in the midst of the desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer temperature exceeds 45 °C and during winter it dips to freezing point. The coordinates for Bikaner, India are 28°3’N, 73°12’E, and its altitude is 750 ft.

Animals

There is little life; there is some shrubbery in the spring. The animals that live in Bikaner, India are either those who can burrow underground and come up during nights and winter or those who can withstand extreme heat and cold such as camels.

There are lots of species of deer in the vicinity of Bikaner.

Princely History

See Bikaner (princely state)

Junagarh Fort

This fort was built by Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled form 1571 to 1612. Raja Rai Singhji could Marshal the revenues of a kingdom increased by the conquest of half Marwar and grant of half Gujrat and made use of ample funds from Jodhpur and Western Deccan for the construction of this fort. A contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar and Emperor Jehangir, he held a very high rank in the Imperial court. As a reward for this services as military commander, he was granted fields of Gujrat and Burhanpur by the Emperor. During his tenure in imperial service he traveled far and wide which gave him vision and great ideas about art and architecture and we can see how meticulously these ideas were incorporated in the architectural styles of his building in Junagarh fort.

Lalgarh Palace

The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881-1942) in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh between 1902 and 1926. This magnificent palace is an example of pure Rajput martial architecture. Designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, this palace has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. The exotic palace has magnificent pillars, richly carved fire mantles, Italian colonnades and motif of lotus in full bloom, adding to the magic of this jewel of the desert. Walls of palaces are reminiscent of the past vintage etchings, hunting trophies and old portraits.

The treasure trove where the guests can spend hours 'walking in the past'. The palace has its own museum and library (the fourth largest in the world), clay pigeon trap and skeet shooting traps facilities at adjoining ranges. Palace has wild peacocks spreading their feathers at almost every step flowering rows of bougainvillea. Bikaner royal family still lives in part of the palace. A portion of palace is now a hotel.p

Culture

Bikaner is famous for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and sweets. Bikaneri Bhujia is a spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil. Other famous things of thar land Bikaner are its craft work, its camel farm which is the biggest camel farm of Asia, leather articles and palaces.

Every year in the month of January state government organises a camel festival with camel races, various cultural events and importantly fire dance by the Sidh people. Sidh's are the tribal people of katriyasar village. Camel festival is the biggest event of the year when lot of people from all around the world visit this beautiful desert land.

The Harsh community is also very popular in Bikaner.

External links

Bikaner Guide

Cities and towns in Rajasthan | 1486 establishments