Rajasthan Tourism: Things to do in Bikaner

Every Indian is familiar with the famous ‘Bikaneri Bhujia’, a typical fried delicious snack preferred all over the country. The Bikaneri Bhujia derives its name from its geographic origin – a beautiful  town in the state of Rajasthan, which is steeped in history, royalty, tradition and of course delicious snacks & sweets

Camel-Ride-in-Bikaner

Bikaner, formerly the princely state of Bikaner is a desert town and is most famous for its gastronomic pedigree. However, for a travel enthusiast, this town makes for an interesting destination, having the interesting mix of desert and royalty. Here’s a list of the main interesting places  in this royal desert city.

Making-of-Bikaneri Bhujia

Junagarh Fort

The imposing Junagarh fort built between 1588 -1593 AD by Raja Rai Singh (1571 – 1611 AD) is the centre of attraction of this city. The fort has a 986 m long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances. The Suraj Pole (Sun Gate) is main entrance to the fort.  This forst , unlike the other forts in Rajasthan,  was not built on an elevated platform but at a ground level. Among the noteworthy attractions within the Junagarh Fort include the various palaces such as Anup Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal, Badal Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas, Dungar Mahal, Ganga Mahal and Rang Mahal.

Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

Karni Mata Temple

Also famously known as Rats temple, this temple is dedicated to Karni Mata -an incarnation of Durga. It is located en route to Bikaner in a place  called Deshnoke. The most curious feature of this temple is the rodents who scamper freely within the premises and are fed by the devotees. They are regarded sacred and if they touch the devotees, it is considered an auspicious sign.

Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner

Rats-Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner

Jain Temple

Considered as one of the beautiful shrines in Bikaner, this Jain temple is dedicated to the 5th tirthankar of the Jains, Shri Sumatinathji. It was constructed in the 15th century. The Jain temple has been constructed using beautifully carved sandstone and white marble.

Sumatinathji-Jain-Temple

Bhandeshwari Jain Temple

This Jain Temple is among the major tourist attractions of Bikaner. This ancient temple of Bikaner was constructed by a Jain merchant, Bhanda Shah in the 15th century. It is dedicated to the 23rd Jain tirthankar, Parsvanathji. The shrine is built with red sandstone and is divided into three floors.

Bhandeshwari Jain Temple

Lalgarh Palace

The palace is one of the key legacies of the city that was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1902. He built this palace in the loving memory of his father.

Lalgarh Palace

The palace was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob and is famous for it’s intricate craftsmanship such as the latticework and filigree work in sandstone. The palace combines the architectural works of Rajput, Mughal and European styles.

Gajner Palace

This palace is among the key attractions of Bikaner. It is located on the embankment of a lake and was built by erstwhile ruler of the Bikaner territory, Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. Originally, this Palace was a hunting and retreating lodge during his reign. It has been built in red sandstone and has intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens.

Gajner Palace, Bikaner

Ganga Singh Museum

It is a popular sightseeing attraction of Bikaner, which exhibits an extensive array of archaeological discoveries from the dating back to Harappan and early Gupta period. The museum was established by erstwhile ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1937.

Ganga Singh Museum

Camel Breeding Farm

This interesting farm, known as Government Camel Breeding Farm, happens to be one of the largest camel breeding farms of Asia. It is situated in Jorbeer at a distance of 8 kilometres km from Bikaner main city. This breeding farm was founded in 1984 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and is spread over an area of 2,000 acres of semi arid land; the centre is engaged in breeding and training of camels.

Camel-drinking-water-in-Camel Breeding Farm

There are many palaces, temples and places of interest in and around this city, so skip the usual touristy destinations in Rajasthan and head to Bikaner.

Camel-Resting-in-Camel Breeding Farm

Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) - Rajasthan

Karni Mata temple in Deshnok, Rajasthan, India. The temple is also sometimes called “The Rat Temple”.

This Hindu temple is devoted to Karni Mata, a goddess who is said to have reincarnated her devotees into rats upon death. Today the temple is home to hundreds of rats which represent the reincarnated. Hindus come to worship at the temple and bring offerings of sweets to the rats. The rats are sacred, and it is said that if you kill a rat (by accidentally stepping on it), you must replace the rat with its weight in silver.

(The Temple Facade)

Because of the somewhat sensational nature of the temple, it has also become something of a tourist attraction; however when we visited the temple we only noted one other western tourist walking among the Hindu worshippers and rats.

(a wire over the courtyard protects the rats from raptors)

(the interior of the temple)

(a lucky white rat)

Visiting the temple

Most tourists visit the temple as a half-day trip from Bikaner, the nearest large city to Deshnok. We had a guide and driver for the day and our journey to Deshnok was included. As with all Hindu temples, visitors must remove their shoes before entering. It is allowed to wear socks and this is recommended. The temple floor is not filthy, but you do run the risk of accidentally stepping on some rat droppings as you tour the temple and courtyard.

Lucky rats

It is said that it is good luck to see a white rat at Karni Mata, and during our visit there were plenty of young men who offered to find a white rat for us. It is also good luck when a rat runs over your foot. This is easy to accomplish; there are some heavy rat-traffic areas along walls between rooms, and if a foot is placed in the path, it will get some rat prints on it.

(The rats drank from large saucers of milk)

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