15 Places To Visit In Bikaner To Truly Explore The City

Bikaner was established in the 14th century by the Rajputana prince, Rao Bikaji. The city is surrounded by the Thar Desert, which gives it its beautiful golden hue. Bikaner has a rich cultural heritage associated with it.

Here you will find ancient temples and the ruins of the Harappan Culture, which was at the forefront of modern civilizations. With so much to see, we have compiled a list of the best places to visit in Bikaner. Let’s take a look.

Places to visit in Bikaner: Forts and Palaces

1. Junagarh Fort

The Junagarh Fort was constructed in 1593 as the home to Raja Rai Singh. The fort houses numerous temples and palaces. The Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal, Chandra Mahal and Phool Mahal are some notable places to visit in the fort.

The fort boasts of massive galleries, meticulously manicured lawns and beautiful windows that overlook a scenic surrounding. The Zenana quarters is highly-praised for its impeccable artwork that consists of intricately woven designs. It is said that crocodiles were domesticated in the nearby canals as a means of security to the fort.

• Location: Junagarh Fort Road
• Timings: 10 am to 4.30 pm
• Price: Rs. 30

2. Gajner Palace

Gajner is a famed sightseeing attraction located amidst a dense forest. The palace is located on the banks of a lake and was used as a hunting and summer retreat by various Maharajas. Ganga Singh Maharaj commissioned the construction of the palace for his family.

The palace is carved out entirely in red sandstone and features meticulously carved pillars and jharokhas. The Gajner Palace is very close to Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can spot animals such as antelopes and black bucks.

• Location: Kolayat, Gajner
• Timing: 10 am to 10 pm
• Price: Depends on your booking

3. Lallgarh Palace

Lallgarh Palace was built by the British Regency for Maharaja Ganga Singh as they felt the Junagarh palace wasn’t suitable for a modern King like Ganga Singh. The palace boasts of a museum that has an art collection of miniature painting. There is a library that houses Sanskrit Manuscripts printed on papyrus parchment.

Besides this, the library also has plaques that are made of silver, copper and gold. The artifacts from the museum have been traced back to the Harappan Civilization and the Gupta Dynasty. The palace now has been converted into a heritage hotel for tourists to enjoy

• Location: NH15, Samta Nagar
• Timing: 10 am to 10 pm
• Price: Depends on your booking

4. Rampuria Havelis

Rampuria Havelis is the gift that the ancestors of Bikaner left behind for the coming generations. The havelis of mansions were built by the rich merchants in Bikaner over a couple of centuries.

A visit to the havelis will transport you back in time. Every part of the haveli exudes a sense of wonder; something you will likely have never felt experienced before.

• Location: Rampuria Haveli, Joshiwara, Mohalla
• Timing: 10 am to 6 pm
• Price: Free

Places to visit in Bikaner: Temples

1. Karni Mata Temple

The Karni Mata Temple is perhaps the most unusual of all places in Bikaner. It attracts a following from all over the country. The temple, often considered a sanctuary to rats, is dedicated to Karni Mata, who was an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Durga.

Legend has it that Karni Mata restored the life of her child and ever since the entire lineage is said to be resurrected in the rats that surround the temple. As of today, an estimated 20,000 rats live in the temple. The temple is carved out of marble and stones and was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The temple also has a protective mesh to protect the rats from predators.

• Location: 30 km from Bikaner Junction. Accessible by local transport
• Timings: 4 am to 10 pm
• Price: Free

2. Jain Temple Bhandasar

Another famous temple in Bikaner, The Jain Temple of Bhandara is highly revered by the Jain community of India. The temple was commissioned by the Jain merchant, Bhandara Oswal, for the fifth Jain Tirthankar Suminat. The temple was constructed in the 16th century.

The temple is made from yellow stone carvings and it is said that instead of water, the cementing agent used for the temple was approximately 40000 kilograms of pure ghee. The temple overlooks the eastern part of the city and provides a panoramic view from the top floor.

• Location: Old Bikaner
• Timing: 5 am to 1 pm, 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm
• Price: Free

3. Kodamdesar Temple

The Kodamdesar Temple is the most ancient structure in all of Bikaner. Kameshwar Temple was built by Rao Bikaji, the founder of the city of Bikaner. Rao Bikaji initially wanted to build the city around this temple but, due to unknown reasons, he decide against it.

A peculiarity and distinct feature of the temple is that you can’t find any rooms or doors. The temple is also asymmetrical in structure and has a marble flooring. Here you will find the idol of Bhairo Ji, who is a form of Lord Shiva.

• Location: Vaidya Mangharam Colony
• Timing: 5 am to 9 pm
• Price: Rs. 100

4. Shri Laxminath Temple

Shri Laxminath Temple is another famous temple in Bikaner, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. Devotees from all over the world gather in large numbers to visit, especially during Janmashtami.

The temple is also known to celebrate festivals like Ram Navami, Nirjala Ekadashi and Diwali with utmost fervor. Inside, you will find the idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi, modelled in pure silver. A visit to this temple while in Bikaner will complete your spiritual journey.

• Location: Mangharam Colony
• Timing: 5 am to 1 pm, 1 pm to 11 pm
• Price: Free

5. Shiv Bari Temple

Shiv Bari Temple is located 6 kilometers from the city of Bikaner. The temple has been constructed by Lord Shiva devotees as a symbol of their eternal devotion to the God. The place is surrounded by a fortified wall that has been made entirely from red sandstone

In the compounds, you can see the famous Shiv Linga and paintings of Lord Shiva’s trusted Nandini bull. The temple also has the statue of Lord Krishna, along with his many wives, also known as ‘Gopis’.

• Location: Jai Narayan Vyas Colony
• Timing: 7 am to 7 pm
• Price: Free

Places to visit in Bikaner: Museums

1. Ganga Singh Museum

Ganga Singh Museum is a renowned attraction in Bikaner. The museum consists of displays of a collection of archaeological findings. The excavation sites for many of these expeditions targeted findings from the Harappan civilisation and the Mewar Dynasty.

The museum also displays art, craft, terracotta, pottery, carpets, coins and Rajputana weaponry. There are paintings made on camel hides by Usta craftsmen and the silk robe of Shahzada Saleem to see.

• Location: Ganga Niwas
• Timing: 10 am to 6 pm
• Price: Rs. 50

2. Sadul Singh Museum

The Sadul Singh Museum in Bikaner offers great historical insight into the rich past of Bikaner. The museum was erected in 1972 and is a sanctum of gregorian paintings, rare artifacts, and hunting trophies. The museum also pays homage to various kings such as Maharaja Ganga Singh, Sadul Singh, and Karni Sing.

Here you can get a good idea of the history of the kings through family pictures and artifacts. The museum is located within Lalgarh Palace that to this date houses some descendants of the royal family.

• Location: 1st Floor, Lalgarh Palace
• Timing: 10 am to 5 pm (Sunday closed)
• Price: Rs. 200

Places to visit in Bikaner: Interesting Places

1. National Research Centre on Camel

The National Research Centre on Camel will be perhaps one of the most unique places you will visit in Bikaner. The research center operates as a breeding nursery for camels and has over 230 camels that belong to 3 different camel breeds. The center offers samples of cake made with camel milk, and lassi made of camel milk.

Here you can go on a guided tour of the facility for a better understanding of what happens. There is also a museum dedicated to camels that can be visited by guests.

• Location: Jodhpur Bypass
• Timing: 12 pm to 6 pm
• Price: Rs. 150

2. Royal Cenotaphs Devi Kund Sagar

Located nearly 8 kilometers from Bikaner, the beauty and the history of the cenotaphs of Devika and Sagar will leave you absolutely spellbound. The cenotaphs act as the resting places for the various prominent royal members that once ruled the city of Bikaner.

The architectural brilliance of the cenotaphs is really something to experience. The cenotaph of Surat Singh is made entirely out of white marble and is an absolute gem. Besides Surat Singh, there are cenotaphs to warrior princes Jet Singh and his great-grandson Rao Bika Ji as well.

• Location: Ridmalsar
• Timing: 9 am to 6 pm
• Price: Free

3. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary

The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is a 2 hour drive away from Bikaner and is abundant in wildlife and flora and fauna. The sanctuary is home to various animals such as Chinkara, Nilgai, Wild Boars and many other animals. There are also several species of resident and migratory birds that you can spot here, including Sandgrouse and the Great Indian Bustard.

The sanctuary used to serve as hunting grounds for the various maharajas of Bikaner, but has since been converted into a protected reserve. The Gajner Palace and lake are also located within the sanctuary’s protected boundaries.

• Location: Gajner, Rajasthan
• Timing: 9 am to 7.30 pm
• Price: Rs. 250

4. Kote Gate

Kote Gate is a place that will delight the shopaholic in you. However, the items for sale here are not your traditional gift shop stuff – items include buffed camel hide and paintings of the local scenery, Khadi articles and wood carvings. You can also find some delicious exotic local food here such as bhujia and rosogollas.

• Location: Kote Gate
• Timing: 10 am to 8 pm
• Price: Depends on your shopping bill

Bikaner sees a massive influx of tourists every year, both national and international. The tourists come here to experience the rich cultural history the city possess as well as explore its delicious cuisine.

If you plan on visiting Bikaner, do visit these places and let us know of your experiences in the comments section below.