Bikaner - Fascinating Gateway to India's Majestic Thar Desert

[Alina Jack]

photo: Salvador Aznar

Famous for its exquisite culture and cuisine, Bikaner is a city with a rustic appeal. You can feel the Rajasthani hospitality as soon as you arrive - people are warm and they receive you as their distinguished guests. With all this, there is a lot more that makes Bikaner special. So, let’s explore the city a little more in a short read below that will give you a quick idea as to how.

photo: Waj

Bikaner was founded by Rao Bikaji in a barren area and was transformed into a beautiful city a little more than 500 years ago. Thus is has quite a bit of history and heritage to offer during your tours of Rajasthan. It's a place you can use as a base to get an impression of the vast arid lands covered with sands shining under the overhead sun around this city (above).

The colourful culture of Bikaner is especially known for jewellery, music and food. Ladies can shop for luxurious Kundan jewellery and tasteful Lakh jewellery. Foodies will love the amazing local cuisine, which includes the savoury fried snacks known as namkeen. A folk music and dance performance should also definitely be part of your visit.

photo: Marcel Toung

There are several forts and heritage sites in Bikaner which speak of the bygone grandeur of Rathore clan, which ruled this city from the 15th century through the end of the British Raj. These include Bikaner Fort, Junagarh Fort, Gajner Mahal, and Karni Mata Temple (known for its "holy rats", which are fed milk by temple attendants).