Bikaner Travel Guide

Undulating and shifting sand dunes in the rugged Thar Desert open out to a magnificent heritage city of forts, palaces and markets, fortified against marauders by seven km long embattlements. This desert city called Bikaner, in Rajasthan, lies in the northern part of the Thar Desert and being a good source of sweet water became an important caravanserai for the merchants and traders who travelled with their camel trains from West and Central Asia to the kingdoms of East Asia.

Immensely wealthy, the desert kingdom of Bikaner was ruled over by a powerful dynasty that traced its lineage to the old ruling family of Jodhpur. But it was Rao Bikaji who built the splendid havelis, forts and palaces in the city that bears his name. The ‘unspoiled’ ambience of well preserved medieval splendour and colourful bazaars make Bikaner a heritage city well worth visiting.

Want to know all there is to know about camels? Visit the Camel Research Centre just 8 kms away from Bikaner and get educated on camels. It is the best such institute in Asia. Visitors are allowed between 2.30 and 5.00 pm in the afternoon.