Are you planning a trip to Bikaner? We have prepared a summary of what to see and do in Bikaner in this small guide that we have compiled by collecting information from other travelers, travel guides, local opinions and, above all, our own experience. We hope it helps you.
Bikaner is another city belonging to the enormous state of Rajasthan and located in the interior of the Thar Desert, in the north of India. It is known for some buildings in its old town, whose facades are carved with great delicacy but, above all, because in a nearby town there is the famous Rat Temple.
The city of Bikaner was founded after the creation of its first fort in 1488 (of which some remains remain), with the sole military intention of conquering new Rajput lands by Rao Bika. I call the entire conquered area Bikaner which literally means ‘Bika’s settlement’.
This place in the middle of the arid desert had spring water, which is why it was considered an oasis. After many years of rebellions and conflicts (first against the Mongol Empire and then against the British Crown) in 1949 Bikaner was incorporated into the current state of Rajasthan. The city of Bikaner is the center of its entire territory, which covers 60,000 square kilometers, the sixth largest in India.
To be honest, it was the city in the state of Rajasthan that we liked the least… perhaps because of the few tourist attractions the city has, or how poorly maintained it is in some of its parts… or simply because our previous destination was the majestic city of Jaisalmer, and the contrast was great.
What to see and do in Bikaner?
Junagarh Fort
Bikaner Junagarh Fort was built in 1594 by Raja Rai Singh and until the 20th century, when the ruling family moved to another palace on the outskirts, it was called Chintamani. It is one of the few forts in Rajasthan that are not built on top of a mountain, and it is almost entirely preserved. From this red sandstone fort, the rest of the city of Bikaner was created.
The complex has more than 5 hectares, and inside you can find palaces, temples and pavilions with a great mix of architectural styles due to its numerous constructions over the years and a museum. It is surprising to see the wealth with which the royal family lived in such a defensive structure.
The most important places inside are the audience hall (Karan Mahal) famous for its aesthetic exquisiteness and the garden, the flower palace (Phool Mahal) the oldest part, Chandra Mahal, the palace that houses the most luxurious room full of gold and precious stones, and the Har Mandir temple that served as a private chapel for the royal family.
We did not have the opportunity to enter because we did not arrive during opening hours, but even though the entrance fee seemed a bit excessive, we think it would have been interesting to visit the interior. In any case, the entrance area alone is very pretty and quiet, and the havelis outside are beautiful.
The fort is located in the center of the city of Bikaner, we recommend that you get there walking through the markets of Satta Bazaar, as they are very entertaining.
Kote Gate and Satta Bazaar
The city of Bikaner is separated into the old and new parts by the large main gate in the city wall, Kote Gate. This large red sandstone entrance gives access to the main market of the city of Bikaner, Satta Bazaar, where you can experience the daily life of the locals and find all kinds of services.
This is the busiest part of the entire city and is the main meeting point used by the city’s inhabitants.
Lalgarh Palace
Today, it is a luxury heritage hotel. It is a modern building, built in 1902 when the British still ruled India. The interest of this place is due to the Laxmi Niwas Palace, which is located inside, and its Rajput architecture.
Old City and Rampuria Havelli
The old city of Bikaner is one of the most interesting tourist places in the city, as it is made up of several Havelis (traditional old houses of rich families), with hundreds of carved details.
The most interesting buildings are located on the same street, and the most important construction is Rampuria Haveli, with its imposing red color. It was built in the 15th century by Balujee Chalva, with the purpose of creating luxurious homes for rich merchants.
Bhanwar Niwas, another of the important buildings in the old city of Bikaner, is currently a luxury hotel.
It is an attractive place to take a walk and tour all these Havelis. We recommend doing it before nightfall, as the area has little artificial lighting.
Shree Laxminath Temple
Built in 1504, the Shree Laxminath is one of the oldest temples in the city of Bikaner. The Hindu temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu and the goddess Laxmi.
It is well known for its architectural exquisiteness and the silver decoration of its interior. It is built with marble and red stone similar to that of Jaisalmer, the Golden City.
When you approach the temple, you will immediately know if there is a ceremony, because there are speakers outside playing masses. Hundreds of devotees gather here on various Indian festivals, such as Ramnavami, Geeta Jayanti, Diwali and Nirjala Ekadashi. So if you happen to be there, do not hesitate to go and see the event.
There are also other smaller temples around it, such as the Seth Bhandasar Jain temple.
Rat Temple or Karni Mata
The famous Rat Temple, the biggest tourist and devotional attraction in Bikaner, is located 30 kilometers from the city, in the town of Deshnok. It is one of the most peculiar temples in all of India, as there are more than 20,000 rats inside.
The Karni Mata temple is a Hindu temple, the most important pilgrimage site for the Charani Sagatis. It was built in 1530 in late Rajput style, the silver door at the entrance is beautiful and tells stories of the Goddess. Inside the temple, nothing draws more attention than the thousands of rats that run around wherever you look.
The black rats of the temple are known as kābā and are considered sacred, the devotees bring them cheese, sweets and milk. Legend has it that there are 3 white rats that bring luck if you see them, so you will find many people looking for them everywhere. It is also said that you will be lucky if one of the black rats touches you.
To get to the temple you just have to take a local bus for 20 rupees near this point, everyone in Bikaner knows the rat temple, so ask and they will tell you immediately where to take the bus (remember that in India there are no ‘official’ bus stops, so it is best to ask). After a 40-minute ride the bus will drop you off right at the entrance of the temple.
We recommend that you go early, since it is such a famous place and it gets very crowded and there are long queues. Also, at the entrance you can leave your shoes, since you have to enter barefoot. We recommend that you bring some old socks that you can throw away when you leave the temple.
Where to eat in Bikaner ?
In Bikaner there are many places to eat, although as it is not very touristy, you will not easily find alternatives to Indian cuisine.
There are some typical dishes of the city that you cannot miss:
Bikaneri bhujia – A very typical snack from all over India made with flour and spices. You will find it in hundreds of bags or on street stalls, but its place of origin is Bikaner.
Guewar – Dessert made with ghee (typical Indian milk from which the butter is not removed), flour and sugar fried in oil. Normally it is decorated with milk cream and nuts. It is a culinary delight, you cannot miss it.
Bikaner Misthan Bhandaar
This restaurant is located on the main street of the Bikaner market, near the fort. Downstairs there is a takeaway and a space with delicious treats, and upstairs there is a lounge where you can sit. The menu is very extensive with dishes from all over India, but they also offer burgers and pizzas. The value for money is, in our opinion, unbeatable.
How to get to Bikaner
Bikaner, although not very touristy, is a very populated city, so getting there will be relatively easy. The train station, a means of transport that we recommend for its speed, comfort and price, is located in the center of the city, so it will be easy for you to reach your hostel.
In the city, you can use the local buses to get anywhere nearby, which you can catch here.
Tips for traveling to Bikaner
We recommend walking through the streets of the old city during the day, as at night they are quite dark.
Most of the people in Bikaner are not used to seeing foreigners, so they can be a bit annoying and pushy at times.
Don’t leave Bikaner without trying their famous dessert Guewar, you will love it!
Bikaner Facts
Bikaner is located in the center of the Thar Desert, so the temperatures are extreme in summer, exceeding 48°.
The biggest attraction in Bikaner is the Rat Temple.
