The desert town of 'Camel Festival
Bikaner is a city in the north Indian state of Rajasthan, east of the border with Pakistan. It's surrounded by the Thar Desert. Bikaner retains its medieval grandeur in the form of magnificent forts and palaces, created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel Research & Breeding farms in the world. The surging lanes and colorful bazaars with bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting experience to explore. Lying in the north of the desert state of Rajasthan, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes.
History and Culture
Bikaner was a barren land, ruled by the Rajputs in the 15th century and was known as “Jangladesh”. In 1488, Rao Bika established the namesake city and built the famous Junagarh Fort. Rightly considered as the oasis in between the Thar Desert, the city was a strategic point of trade between Gujarat and Central Asia. In the 18th century, the kingdom fell into the hands of the British Empire, although the Royal family kept ruling the city. Eventually, the family shifted to the Lalgarh Palace where it still resides to date.
Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city’s lifestyle the exotic camel safaris & gorgeous forts are some of the most interesting aspects of Bikaner. Located in the midst of Thar Desert, Bikaner is a "cultural paradise and a traveller's haven".
Climate
Owing to its location in the semi-arid Thar Desert in Rajasthan, the climate in Bikaner, October to February is the best time to visit Bikaner. Camel festival takes place in January every year.
- October - February
