A
city - awesome and beautiful. A vast
expanse of rippling sand and scorching son.An
arid, rocky scrubland. It is situated on an
elevated ground, surrounded by a seven-kilometer-long
embattled wall marked by five gates.
The Rathore prince Rao Bikaji,
the liveliest and most enterprising son of
Rao Jodhaji of Marwar, founded Bikaner in
1488 AD. The harsh desert surrounds this rich
city, no doubt few could gather courage to
venture into this part of the globe.
The old part of Bikaner city is surrounded
by a stone wall that is 15–30 feet (5–9
m)
high and has five gates. Bikaner is now a
trade centre for wool, hides, building stone,
salt, and grain. Bikaneri woolen shawls, blankets,
carpets, and sugar candy are famous, and there
are also ivory and lacquerware handicrafts.
The city has electrical and mechanical engineering
works, railway workshops, and factories that
manufacture glass, pottery, felts, chemicals,
shoes, and cigarettes. The old part of the
city is overlooked by a fort and has numerous
buildings of bright red and yellow sandstone.
Within the fort are several palaces of different
periods, a museum housing Rajput miniature
paintings, and a library of Sanskrit and Persian
manuscripts. The city's colleges (including
a medical school and a teachers' training
institute) are affiliated with the University
of Rajasthan. Bikaner is situated in an arid
tract of undulating sand hills where the breeding
of camels, horses, and sheep is the principal
occupation. Because there are no rivers, irrigation
is chiefly by means of deep tube wells. Bajra
(pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), and pulses
are the chief crops grown in the locality.
The fortified town still preserves the aura
of medieval times, as it is protected by harsh
desert and remained untouched by outside influence.
The city is an exercise in architecture ,one
gapes in awe at the embattled wall with ornamental
gates.The lofty houses with excellent carvings
still survive averring to the craftsmanship
and prosperity of the people.
The Town is also famous for delicacies like
Rasgullas ,Bhujias and Papads.It has become
a big wool production centre,and has a unique
Came research farm. |
Junagarh
Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh(1571-1611
A.D.),
a general in the army of emperor Akbar,
the fort is a formidable structure encircled
by a moat and has some beautiful places
within.
These places, made in red sandstone (Dulmera)
and marble, make a picturesque ensemble
of countryards, balconies, kiosks and windows
dotted all over the structure.
The imposing fort has 986 long wall with
37 bastions and two entrances. It is approached
through the Karan Poal which is the main
entrance. Among the places of interest are
Anop mahal, Ganga niwas and Rang mahal or
palace of pleasure. The Anoop Mahal is famous
for it's gold leaf painting. Har Mandir-
a majestic chapel where the royal family
worshiped there Gods and Goddesses. Chandra
mahal or moon palace has exquisite paintings
on the lime plaster walls and Phool mahal
or the Flower palace is decorated with inset
mirror work. The gigantic columns , arches
and graceful screen grace the palaces. Karan
Mahal was built to commemorate a notable
victory over the Mughal Aurangzeb.The other
important important parts are Durbar Hall,
Gaj mandir, Sheesh Mahal or mirror chamber
etc.
Ganga
Golden Jubilee Museum
Established near the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner
in 1937 on the eve of the Golden jubilee
celebrations of Maharaja Ganga Singh, this
Museum now run by the Government of Rajasthan,
was shifted to a new building in the Civil
lines in 1954It is the best Rajasthan museum,
having one of the richest collection of
Terracotta ware, weapons, maniature paintings
of Bikaner school and coins. The exhibits
are splendid master pieces of Harappan civilisation,
Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the
late classical time.
Some principal sections of the museum
are:
- Maharaja Ganga Singh Memorial
- Local Arts and Crafts
- History
- Sculpture, Terracotta and Bronzes.
- Armory
- Miniature Paintings and Folk-Arts
- Dr. L.P. Tessitori Memorial Section.
- Lithoprints of the British interpretation
of the war of Independence 1857.
Exhibits / Collection
Paintings
An exquisite collection of Rajasthani miniatures
of almost all the sub-schools of Rajasthan
such as Bikaner, Bundi, Mewar, Jaipur, Jodhpur
etc. are on view here.
Terracotta
The museum has one of the finest collections
of early terracotta art, in the country.
These belong to the early Gupta period and
were discovered in 1017 AD by Dr. L. P.
Tessitori from the ancient Theris of Rang
Mahal, Badopal, Pir Sultan-Ki-Theri located
between Suratgarh and Hanumangarh of the
old Bikaner state. The existence of these
'Theris' can be traced back to the Indus
Valley Civilization. Some of these sites
including Kalibangan are considered the
oldest in India. It was in this area that
the sacred river Saraswati is believed to
have existed.
Sculptures
The sculpture of Jain Saraswati (11th-12th
Century) is a unique piece of marble of
four feet eight inches in height. Discovered
from village Pallu (Ganganagar), it is a
peerless example of medieval Indian sculpture.
Nartaki (10th-11th Century) is a beautiful
one foot high bronze image, discovered from
large sand dune of village Amarsar in Tehsil
Sujangarh (Churu.)
Lacquer Work
The museum has a fine collection of superb
lacquered works, a craft special to Bikaner
entirely done by the artisans, called Ustas
(Ustaads), on wood, metal, glass, stone,
leather and ostrich egg shells.
Wood And Stone Carvings
Bikaner stands almost unsurpassed in wood
and stone carvings. A teak wood table and
a wooden casket, a model of the Gajner Palace
(Bikaner), a typical 'Ikka' (horse drawn
cart) and chariot with minutest details
are on view in the museum.
Bhandaser
Jain Temple
The 15 century
Temple,is the oldest and distinct monument
of bikaner dedicated to Sumati Nath Ji,the
5th Tirthankar of the Jain Religion.The
temple is decorated with rich mirror work,
frescoes and gold leaf paintings..The beautiful
temple was erected near Laxminath temple
in 1540A.D.Pure ghee (butter oil) and coconuts
were reported to have been used in laying
the foundation. Carved in red sand stone
and white marble - its famous for carvings
,wall paintings , structural beauty and
artistically designed statues.
Camel
Research Centre
The National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner
is located in the Jorbeer area at a distance
of about 10 km from Bikaner city. It was
established on 5th July 1984. Prior to that
the Centre was known as camel breeding farm
under the aegis of college of Veterinary
and Animal Science, Rajasthan Agricultural
University, Bikaner.
The Centre has the responsibility to conduct
basic and applied research for the improvement
of camel. Over the years NRCC has developed
excellent laboratory facilities and infrastructure.
An elite herd of Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri and
Kachchhi breed of camel has been developed
and maintained at the Centre. Scientists
of the Centre were successful in finding
out the genetic variation within and between
camel breeds using molecular markers. The
technique of embryo transfer has been used
successfully in producing two camel calves
at the Centre. Extensive studies on evaluation
of draughtability of camel breeds have been
carried out by the Centre. The feed requirement
during various stages i.e. lactation, pregnancy,
draught has been studied and locally available
feed/fodder resources were evaluated by
the Centre. The Centre has also generated
useful information on double humped camel
found in Nobra Valley of Laddakh region.
The Centre has been identified as one of
the important tourist place of Bikaner and
is included in the tourist map of Rajasthan.
The Centre has developed a camel museum
which attracts the attention of researchers
and tourist. Every year thousands of Foreign
and Indian tourists visit the Centre. The
Centre remains open on all days from 2.30
PM to 5.30 PM for the visitors. The Centre
also participates in various events held
during the camel festival organised every
year by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation
and Local Administration.
National
Research Centre On Equines
Main objectives of the centre is to improve
and conserve Marwari Horses and also to
produce french male Donkeys for improving
indigenous donkeys and mule production.Tonga(Horse
Carriage ) and horse riding is available
in visiting on payment.
The Centre has well equipped laboratories
for Virology, Cell Culture cum Hybridoma,
Bacteriology & Mycology, Parasitology,
Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Immunology,
Pathology, Biochemistry & Biotechnology,
Clinical Medicine, Genetics & Breeding,
Reproduction, Physiology and Nutrition to
support research programmes in different
fields of equine health and production.
The development of equine sick line, infectious
disease sheds cum post-mortem complex and
quarantine facilities is underway. An information
centre is being developed for the Centre
to depict the development of equines, equine
science and NRCE as a whole as also to provide
quick overview of the activities of the
Centre. This will help in providing information
related to equines and technologies generated
at NRCE directly to the end-users; the farmers,
equine owners, equine breeders and the equine
industry as a whole
Laxmi
Nath Temple
 Lakshmi
Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples
of Bikaner. The foundation of Bikaner was
laid here in the year 1488 A.D. by Rao Bikaji.
It being a historical monument has special
identity. This temple was erected during
the reign of Rao Lunkaran and boasts of
the superb archeological skills of artists
and artisans . It was later develpoed by
Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. Statues of deities-
Vishnu and Laxmi - have all along received
the unwavering devotion of countless people
through the last four and half centuries.
Lallgarh
Palace & Sadul Museum
The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone,
the palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh
(1881-1942 A.D.) in the memory of his father
Maharaja Lal Singhji  in
1902 AD. The palace has beautiful latticework
and filigree work. Sprawling lawns with
blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks
make it to be a not -to-be missed visual
treat.
This oriental fantasy Designed by Col. Sir
Swinton Jacob, is entirely a hybrid architecture
-a mixture of different elements of Rajput,
Muslim and European styles and can be categorized
as Indo-Seresanic style. The Rajput exterior
of this palace contrasts dramatically with
the occidental decor within. The intricately
dexterous carving on red sandstone is a
hallmark of great craftsmanship. The exotic
palace has magnificent pillars, richly carved
fire mantles , Italian colonnades and motif
of lotus in full bloom , adding to the magic
of this jewel of the desert. Walls of palaces
are reminiscent of the past vintage etchings,
hunting trophies and old portraits. The
palace has it's own museum and library (the
fourth largest in the world), clay pigeon
trap and skeet shooting traps facilities
at adjoining ranges.
Bikaner royal family still lives in part
of the palace. part of the palace has been
converted into a luxury hotel and a museum
known as Shri Sadul museum which was donated
by late his highness maharaja Dr. Karni
Singhji of Bikaner to Maharaja Shri Ganga
singhji Trust Bikaner in the year 1972 .
Princess Rajyashree Kumari of Bikaner, Chairperson
of Trust played a very important role in
the establishment of this museum.
The museum covers the entire first floor
of the Lallgarh palace and depicts the lives
and times of three successive - Maharaja
Ganga Singh, Sadul Singh and Karni Singh
through the various artifacts and photographs
displayed in 22 rooms.
Shiv
Bari Temple
Built by Dungar Singhji in the late 19th
century. The temple is surrounded by an
embattlement wall. It has four-faced black
marble Shiva statue and a bronze Nandi facing
the Shiva-Lingam. There are two large reservoirs
of water known as bawaris.
This red sandstone temple attracts thousands
of visitors during Shravan (Feb) especially
on mondays.
Ratan Behari
temple
A splendid temple building made of white
marble. It is a fime example of Indo-Mugal
architecture, situated on King Edwats Memotial
Road, near Junagarh Fort. The temple was
built by the 18th rular of Bikaner state,
Lork Ratan Singh, in 1846 A.D., It is dedicated
to Lord Krichna. The outer portion of this
this temple has an ethereal beauty. The
xanctum of the temple is unique where the
idol of lord Krishna and his wife and his
girl friend are fixed. The temple has very
spaciors quadrangle floor made of marble.
Arcade design beside the Quadrangle floors
mades the sight very magnificent. You are
recommended to see the sight of this lovely
temple.
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