Bikaner

Bikaner, the desert city of Rajasthan draws large number of tourists for its picturesque golden sand dunes, striking red sandstone forts, stunning palaces and havelis and certainly its camel safaris. The city boasts of having the best camels and has the largest Camel research and breeding farm in the world, hence the name camel country. The camel festival is also a major tourist attraction. Bikaner is located in the northern part of Rajasthan and lies 316 kms from Jaipur, 240 km from Jodhpur and 330 km from and Jaisalmer. The desert city shares its boundary with Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur and even Pakistan. Best Time to Visit Bikaner: The best time to visit Bikaner is in the winter months (i.e. November to February) when the weather is very pleasant.

The city was established in the year 1488 AD by Rao Bika Ji, a Rajput prince. The city is known for producing great warriors. The excavations from this city prove that the civilization was at its peak here even before Harappan civilization. Imposing palaces, forts and stunning temples with great architecture boast of the finesse of the Rajput civilization. Here are the 8 places to visit in Bikaner, which are all time favorites for tourists.

According to James Tod, the spot which Bika selected for his capital, was the birthright of a Nehra Jat, who would only concede it for this purpose on the condition that his name should be linked in perpetuity with its surrender. Naira, or Nera, was the name of the proprietor, which Bika added to his own, thus composing that of the future capital, Bikaner. Rao Bika was the first son of Maharaj rao jodha.Rao Jodhaof the Rathor clan, the founder of Jodhpur and conquered the largely arid country in the north of Rajasthan. As the first son of Jodha he wanted to have his own kindom not inheriting Jodhpur from his father or the title of Maharaja. He therefore decided to build his own kingdom in what is now the state of Bikaner in the area of Jungladesh. Though it was in theThar Desert, Bikaner was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujrat coast as it had adequate spring water. Bika’s name was attached to the city he built and to the state of Bikaner ("the settlement of Bika") that he established. Bika built a fort in 1478, which is now in ruins, and a hundred years later a new fort was built about 1.5 km from the city centre, known as the Junagarh Fort.

Bikaner was one of the three great desert Kingdoms of Rajasthan and, like them, prospered because of its strategic location on the overland caravan trade route to Central Asia and China. It was founded in 1486 by Rao Bika, the disgruntled younger son of Rao Jodha, the ruler of Jodhpur, who left home in search of new territory to conquer. Somewhat overshadowed by the splendors of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, Bikaner nevertheless has a great deal to offer visitors, with its old walled town where came