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Bikaner City
 The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor that pervades the city’s lifestyle. More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts , transporting grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers.The wells of
Bikaner: an important source of water are other attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Binaker’s history dates back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore Prince, Rao
Bikaji- a dexdendant of the founder of Jodhpur(1459 A.D.), Rao
Jodhaji, established his kingdom here. Rao Jodhaji had five sons but Rao Bikaji was the most enterprising of them. Bikaji chose a barren wilderness called ‘Jangladesh’ and trandormerd it to an impressive city, called Bikaner after the founder’ name. The strategic location of Bikaner on the ancient carvan routes that came from West/Central Asia, made it a prime trade centre in the times of the yore. Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is cirucmscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. The magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in
redding-pink sandstone, bear testimony to its rich historical and architectural legacy. Undulating lanes, colorful bazaars and bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner and interesting experience.
Junagarh Fort
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor
Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful 37 Palaces, Temples and Pavilions. These palaces, made in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure.
It is one of the finest of Rajput monuments The palaces inside the Fort Worth visiting are Anup
Mahal, Karan Mahal, Rang Mahal or Palaces of Pleasure and the Chander Mahal or Moon
Palalce.
FESTIVE FUN
The Camel Festival (January): A spectacular event of camel performances, camel races, camel acrobatics, camel dances and camel milking competition are a part of the celebrations.
Kolayat Fair (November): Coincides with Pushkar fair when pilgrims take a holy dip in the Koplyat take on the full moon day in the month of
Kartik.
Gangaur Festival (April): Dedicated to Goddess
Parvati-the consort of Lord Shiva. Grand processions of the deity accompanied by dancing women are aprt of the eighteen day long celebrations.
Holi (March): Exuberant festivities beginning several days before the actual day of
Holi, make it a special and spectacular occasion. |
