Day 6
Bikaner Arrival and Local Sightseeing
Better known as the camel country, Bikaner has fought against time and displays its ancient opulence through palaces and forts built of red sandstone. It is home to the world’s largest research facility and breeding farm on camels and is also famous for Rats Temple, dedicated to Karni Mata at Deshnok.
The major attractions of Bikaner that we’ll be exploring include:
The JunagarhFort, situated in Junagarh, that holds the distinction of having never been captured. Built by Raja Jai Singh, the fort complex houses magnificent palaces of red sandstone.
Lalgarh Palace and Museum, constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singh, is an architectural marvel, having been made entirely of red sandstone and is a mixture of Rajputana, Islamic and European architecture.
DeshnokKarni Mata temple, known for the rats that roam in the temple premesis freely.
Gajner Palace and Lake is an incomparable jewel of the Thar. Founded by Maharaja Gaj Singh of Bikaner, it was completed by Maharaja Ganga Singh on the bank of the lake and was meant to be a hunting and relaxing lodge for the royal family and the guests of the royals and has now been converted into a hotel.
Devi Kund is the royal crematorium and has several exquisite chhatris (cenotaphs), each dedicated to the memory of a ruler of the Bikaji Dynasty, the founders of Bikaner. Devi Kund also has cenotaphs of 22 female members of the royal family prior to Maharaja Gaj Sigh Ji, who committed sati.