Introduction

Bikaner district is an arid and rocky scrubland located in the state of Rajasthan. It is situated on an elevated ground, surrounded by a seven-kilometre-long embattled wall marked by five gates. Bikaner was founded by Rao Bikaji, son of Rao Jodhaji of Marwar, in 1488. Bikaner is now a trade centre for wool, hides, building stone, salt, and grain. Bikaneri woollen shawls, blankets, carpets, and sugar candy are famous, and there are also ivory and lacquerware handicrafts. Bikaner is situated in an arid tract of undulating sand hills where the breeding of camel, horses, and sheep is the principal occupation. Bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), and pulses are the main crops grown in the locality.

Location of Bikaner District

The district of Bikaner is situated in the Northern part of the state of Rajasthan. It lies between the latitudes of 27 degrees 11 minutes to 29 degrees 03 minutes. Longitudinally, it is situated between 71 degrees 54 minutes to 74 degrees 22 minutes. The district covers a total geographical area of 30247.90 Sq. Kms.

History of Bikaner District

History of Bikaner district goes back a very long way. Its earliest history can be traced back to 1488 AD, when the Rajput Prince Rao Bikaji established his kingdom here. Rao Bikaji was a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodhaji. RaoBikaji was the most lively and enterprising among the five sons of Rao Jodhaji of Marwar. Realizing that a struggle for his paternal inheritance was not likely to be fruitful, this adventurous price was determined to chart out his own destiny. Rao Bika gathered a force of young warriors, whose restless energy proved to be a powerful motivating force in confronting the hazards of the desert. At Deshnok, he sought the blessings of Karni Devi, a mystic Charan, who was held in high regard. She blessed him and prophesied his victory and he founded the state of Bikaner

Bikaji chose the barren land of `Jungladesh` for his new kingdom. It has been established beyond doubt by the archaeological surveys and excavations that civilisation flourished here even before the advent of the Harappa period. Excavated statues, coins and carvings of stones and clay stand as testimony to this fact. Right from the foundation of Bikaner till its accession into the Indian union in the year of India`s Independence, 1947, and following this, its integration into the state of Rajasthan in 30-3-1949, Bikaner has continued to play an important role in the history of the country.

About 1465 Bika, a Rajput chieftain of the Rathor clan, began to conquer the area from other Rajput clans. In 1488 he began building the city of Bikaner ("the settlement of Bika"). He died in 1504, and his successors gradually extended their possessions. The state adhered loyally to the Mughal emperors, who ruled in Delhi from 1526 to 1857. In 1571, Rai Singh succeeded as the chieftain of Bikaner. He went on to become one of Emperor Akbar`s most trusted and distinguished generals, and was named the first Raja of Bikaner. As the dominance of the Mughal dynasty started to wane, wars between Bikaner and the princely state of Jodhpur raged intermittently in the 18th century. Finally, in the year 1818, a treaty establishing British paramountcy was concluded, and order was restored in the country by British troops. However, the rebellious behaviour of the local thakurs, or the subsidiary chiefs, continued. This happened right up until the princely state of Bikaner was made subject to the Rajputana agency in 1883. The military force of the state at the time included the Bikaner Camel Corps, which gained renown in China during the Boxer Rebellion (1900) and in the Middle East during World War I. In the year 1949, Bikaner, which by then totalled more than 23,000 square miles (60,000 square km) in area, became part of the Indian state of Rajasthan and was divided into three districts.

Architecture Of Bikaner

Architecture of Bikaner is indeed splendid and comprises Jain temples, majestic forts and beautiful gardens which are constructed in the Rajput style of architecture. Located on the north of the Thar Desert, the buildings in Bikaner are made of red sandstone. The city of Bikaner was built in the year 1488 by Rao Bika of the Rathore Rajput family.

The Junagadh Fort of Bikaner is a fine specimen of Rajput architecture. The surrounding wall of the fort is more than one kilometer. At the entrance is a large courtyard, which leads to many more entrances and courtyards. This design features serves the purpose of defense from enemies, as well as, protecting the privacy of the residents. All palaces have delicately carved stone lattice screens and extended windows, which are important features in the palace architectural style of West India. The oldest building of the Junagadh Fort is the Dal Niwas. The flower pattern on the walls and ceilings of this palace reflects the skill of the artisans of the olden days. The structural design of the yellow and red interior of the colourful jewel throne room in Atap Mahal, which faces the rear court¬yard, is awe inspiring. The havelis of Bikaner have exceptional architectures. The havelis are luxurious dwellings, of which the Rampuria Haveli is ornamented as magnificently as a palace.

The Jain temples of Bikaner replicate the unique structural design of this city in Rajasthan. There is an old group of colourfully painted Jain temples, clustered together like a temple town. Murals in Jain temples are very rare. The Parshwanatha Temple has a statue facing all four sides, but the building is not open on all sides. The Royal Tomb gardens of Bikaner are fenced and divided into two groups. The main group has twelve geometric shaped, white marble chhatris, each supported on twelve pillars, which remind one of the architectural patterns of the Mughal Tomb Gardens.

Rajput architectural style majorly predominates in the monuments and buildings of Bikaner.

Havelis in Bikaner District

Havelis in Bikaner are a marvellous construction in home architecture. In fact it may be said that carvings find best expression in Bikaneri havelies. Such havelies or residential houses do not exist anywhere in the world. They are situated in narrow lanes in the old city. Splendid abodes can be seen in the midst of streets that look serpent-like and peaceful. They are marvellous mansions made of red stone and stand magnificently. Originally, the havelies were the residence of wealthy merchants who had a fancy for beauty and art. For a major part of the year, they used to live in far-off lands where they went to earn money. They mostly came back to the city to rest, and enjoy and thus went on to build these havelis for leisure and relaxation. The havelis were a symbol of their wealth and status and their love for architecture and colours. The oldest haveli is perhaps four hundred years old. However, most of the havelis in Bikaner are around a hundred years in age. That is why they indicate a pattern of their own.

Most of the havelis are done up with jharokhas (casements), entrances, latticed windows, divankhanas, Gumaharias or basements, giving them a most exotic appeal. Their exterior is dominated by the jharokhas, providing the haveli with a most picturesque look. The jharokhas are exquisite carvings made alive by artistic creators. They are generally six feet long and three feet wide, and the smaller the jharokha, the more beautiful it is likely to look. Jali or stones with small hole create a beautiful effect. Almost every haveli has a second story. The most beautiful portion of this part is the mol or mahal. It is adorned with rich gold carvings and is a symbol of status. It was in these mahals that the dancing girls used to give performances in mahfils (parties). Every haveli consists of a number of rooms, big and small, made for special purposes.

Some of the famous havelis situated in the district of Bikaner are the Rampuria Group of Havelies, Rikhji Bagri ki Haveli, Daga chowk havelies, haveli of Bhairondan Kothari and the Sampatlal Agarwal haveli. Another well known haveli here is the haveli of Poonam Chand Kothari.

The most famous cluster of havelies is the Rampuria Group of Havelies. Built by Balujee Chalva under instructions from the Rampuria family, its carvings show surprising skill. Rampuria havelis are many in number and are big in size. Since they are located at nearly adjacent positions, they make a great impression almost like the great havelies of Jaisalmer, the Patwa havelies. There appears an undeniable similarity between the two havelies perhaps because both of them were mainly conceived and built by the Vishwakarma clan. The interior scheme of decoration of the two havelies is very different. The Patwa havelies were built earlier and emphasized on exterior decoration and minute carvings on Jaisalmeri stone while the Rampuria havelies were built of dulmera stone. The Jaisalmeri stone is yellow in colour while the dulmera stone is red.Both are soft redstones. Exquisite and minute carvings come naturally to both the stones. The patwa havelies have more carvings in the interior also. The Rampuria havelies are decorated with golden work of the highest quality. They have dankhanas (Drawing Room) which take us to the Mughal and Rajput period of amalgamation and synthesis. They have Victorian influence in abundance. The wood carvings in Rampuria Havelies are more exquisite and are far more beautiful. Another distinguishing feature is that Rampuria havelies have diverse exterior and each haveli has a pattern of its own. The Patwa havelies have more intricate carvings but the Rampuria havelies show a more varied face.

The Rikhji Bagri ki Haveli has very intricately done beautiful carvings on the facade. The haveli is situated near Mohta Chowk in Bikaner. Though it is not too well-known and is small in size, it is like a poetry written on stone. The carvings of this haveli show the minuteset details in the most delicate manner. Be it a peacock, an elephant, a flower or a pot, every thing is natural and looks enchanting. Arched entrances and captivating jharokhas look more beautiful because of the flowers embossed on them which are extremely realistically done.

Another cluster of havelies which attracts the onlooker is the cluster of Daga chowk havelies. There are a number of havelies in daga chowk. A salient feature of these havelies is the fact that they are scattered. They are adorned with carvings of flowers, such as rose, lotus etc. The carvings on the jharokhas are exqusitely done, a display of fine artistry. The Daga family had a fascination for deewankhanas. The deewankhanas or drawing rooms gave prestige to the family. They were decorated with taste and were their show cases. They were a treasury of art and a matter of their pride. They preserved valuable murals also. They exhibited old and contemporary faces of Indian painting. They also came to demonstrate the increasing English influence.

The European influence is more evident in the haveli of Bhairondan Kothari. Its exterior is not so attractive or artistic, but on entering the haveli one gets captivated by its beauty. The interiors have been adorned by excellent marble work. It imparts fascinating beauty to its floors. Marble tiles are studded in the floors of the haveli. Marble finesse is evident in every corner. Its marble work is unmatched.

These are some of the major havelis situated in the district of Bikaner. These havelis add to the beauty and splendour of the district apart from being a remarkable exhibition of architectural prowess.

Culture of Bikaner District

One of the finest schools of miniatures developed in this desert state. Early examples exist from 1600 on and show a marked Mughal influence .In fact, the local style kept pace with the painters in the Mughals court, and were expressive of their nuances even when the Bikaneri artist tended to be more expressive. There have been cases of Mughals and Bikaneri miniatures being mistaken for each other, even though the painting used backgrounds and colourscapes that are more pleasant ,and the foliage(as if to make up for the desert conditions),more luxuriant. There is a palette of delicate subcolours, and a delicacy in the portrayal of the human and vegetation forms.

Administration of Bikaner District

Bikaner District is a Divisional Commissioner Head Quarter District. District Magistrate and District Collector are at the head of District Administration. District Collector is assisted by three Additional District Magistrates-  Additional District Magistrate (Administrator) HQ Bikaner  Additional District Magistrate (City) HQ Bikaner  Additional District Magistrate (Mandi) BIkaner

Along with 3 ADMs and one ACM there is one CEO, Zila Parishad

For administration and development, the district is divided into five sub-divisions i.e. Bikaner, Loonkaransar, Nokha, Khajuwaka and Dungargarh and eight tehsils, i.e., Bikaner, Kolayat, Nokha, Loonkaransar, Khajuwala, Chhattargarh, Poogal and Dungargarh . The developmental activities of the district are being looked after by five Panchayat Samities, i.e. Bikaner, Kolayat, Nokha, Loonkaransar, and Dungargarh. There are 923 villages and 219 Gram panchayats. There is one independent Sub-Tehsil Bajju situated in Kolayat tehsil for better administration. There is one Municipal Corporation (Bikaner) and six Municipal Councils: Deshnok, Nokha, Dungargarh, Khajuwala, Loonkaransar and Napasar.

Tourism in Bikaner District

Tourism in Bikaner (in Bikaner District) of Rajasthan is dealing with the camel safari and desert camping in the midst of the Thar Desert, luxury stay and tour in Laxmi Niwas Palace, the pilgrimage tourism to Karni Mata Temple, the archaeological discoveries of Kalibangan and last but not the least the panorama of Junagadh Fort.

Laxmi Niwas Palace
Laxmi Niwas Palace is a palace and now served as a luxury hotel in Bikaner. It was the residential place of the kings of Bikaner and their families. Laxmi Niwas Palace was designed in the year 1896. It was built in an Indo-Saracenic style by the British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. It was erected between 1898 and 1902.

Karni Mata Temple
Karni Mata Temple is a well-known tourist place of religious importance. It is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Jodhpur. The goddess is considered the patron Goddess of the Bikaner dynasty. She is believed to have blessed and guided Rao Bika in establishing his kingdom. This temple of Bikaner has massive silver gates that had been donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The panel of the gate depicts the patron goddess, with head of the demon Mahishasura, at the end of her trident. The temple is said to be 600 years old. The striking feature of this temple is the presence of numerous rats. It provides a haven to the rats (also called kabas) who are fed on the offerings of the devotees and run freely all over the temple complex.

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 32 kilometers away from Bikaner. It is location the way to Jaisalmer Road. Gajner was once the hunting preserve of Maharaja Ganga Singh. This wildlife park is surrounded by scrub forest. There is a lake within this sanctuary. It offers the perfect place to watch out for the chinkara, black buck and nilgai. The tourists will also be able to see antelope, gazelle and pigs arriving to drink water at the lake. The lake also attracts migratory birds from distant Siberia and other places in winter.

Gajner Palace
Gajner Palace served as a summer resort for the Maharaja of Bikaner. The buses from Bikaner are available for the sanctuary and the tourists will have to disembark at the village Galari.

Camel Breeding Farm
Camel Breeding Farm is located at a distance of 8 kilometers from Bikaner. This government-managed camel breeding farm is only one of its kinds in Asia. One can get acquainted with this indispensable ship of the desert at this camel breeding and research station.

Kalibangan
Kalibangan derives its name from the numerous pieces of terracotta bangles of Indus Valley Civilisation and Harappa Era that were found scattered all over the excavation site. The excavations have revealed well-planned towns with streets that intersected at right angles and an advanced drainage system. It has also been discovered that the houses were made of bricks and used terracotta pipes in the bathrooms.

Junagarh Fort
Junagarh Fort is a medieval and early modern era fort of the 20th century. It served as the residential palace till the family of Bikaner moved to Lalgarh Palace. Junagadh Fort has the red sandstone and marble sculptures.

Visiting Information
The local transportations, such as, auto rickshaws and taxis are easily available in Bikaner to drop in at the places of interest around Bikaner. Bikaner is connected with road and railheads with other cities of Rajasthan, cities of Gujarat and cities of Maharashtra.

Pilgrimage Tourism in Bikaner District
Pilgrimage tourism in the district of Bikaner is a most fulfilling experience. The district abounds in a number of temples, some of them built in ancient times. The different places of leisure tourism in the district of Bikaner are discussed below.

Bhandaser Jain Temple is a 15th century temple, the oldest and most distinct monuments 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 Lakshminath temple in 1540 A.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 - it is famous for its carvings, wall paintings, structural beauty and artistically designed statues. It is located at a distance of 5 Kms from Bikaner district.

The 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. Apart from being a popular tourist spot, it is a historical monument as well and therefore has a special identity. This temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and boasts of the superb archaeological skills of the artisans of the time. Statues of deities- Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi - have all along received the unwavering devotion of countless people through the last four and a half centuries.

The Shiv Bari Temple was built in the late 19th century. The temple is surrounded by an embattlement wall. It has four-faced black marble statue of Lord Shiva 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 especially on Mondays.

The Ratan Behari temple is a splendid temple building made of white marble. It is a fine example of Indo-Mughal architecture, situated on K.E.M Road, near Junagarh Fort. The temple was built by the 18th ruler of Bikaner state, in 1846 A.D. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple has a floor made of marble.

The Kolayat temple is situated 51 Kms from Bikaner on the highway leading to Jaisalmer. It is an old pilgrimage centre where Kapil Muni of the vedic fame is believed to have shed his body under a peepul tree. Muni was known for propounding the Samkhya Philosophy. Kolayat has a series of charming marble temples, sandstone pavilions and 32 ghats (bathing places) built around a huge artificial lake which never goes dry. Here one can see sadhus and pilgrims taking a holy dip, surrounded by the vast emptiness of a timeless atmosphere and the golden desert. On Karthik Purnima day a grand fair is held in which devotees from all over the country come to take a holy bath in the lake. Cattle fair, especially for the trading of camels is a part of the festivities.

30 Kms south from Bikaner, on the road of Jodhpur, stands a little town-Deshnok. It is known for the shrine of Karnimata, who is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She blessed Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner in establishing his kingdom and since then she was also worshiped as the tutelary deity of the erstwhile Bikaner dynasty. The Karnimata temple is unique as the rats called Kabas, are venerated here and the shrine is a sanctuary for them. It is believed that these Kabas carry souls of future Charans/bards (children of the goddess) who inhabit the town of Deshnok. These Kabas are held sacred and they move freely in the temple precincts. It is considered highly auspicious to sight a white Kaba. The temple has fascinating huge silver gates and marble carvings.

Leisure Tourism in Bikaner District
Leisure tourism in Bikaner District has a lot to offer the tourists. The various places of tourism here cater to a variety of interests. Thus one sees here forts, palaces, museums, wildlife sanctuaries and towns of historical interest. These different tourist attractions figure prominently in the tourism of Rajasthan state as well. The major places of leisure tourism in Bikaner district are discussed below.

The Junagarh fort, built in 1593 A.D., is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and with some beautiful palaces within. These palaces, made in red sandstone (Dulmera) and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. The imposing fort has 986 long walls with 37 bastions and two entrances. It is approached through the Karan Poal which is the main entrance. Among the palaces of interest are Anop mahal, Ganga niwas and Rang mahal or palace of pleasure. The Anoop Mahal is famous for its gold leaf painting. Har Mandir is a majestic chapel where the royal family worshiped their 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 screens grace the palaces. Karan Mahal was built to commemorate a notable victory over the Mughal Aurangzeb. The other important parts are Durbar Hall, Gaj mandir, Sheesh Mahal or mirror chamber etc.

At Devi Kund Sagar is located the Royal Crematorium. There are a number of exquisite cenotaphs which were built in memory of the deceased members of the ruling family of Bikaner. The Chhatries (Cenotaphs) of the early rulers were made of red sandstone, and the ornamentation on some of them greatly resembles the carving work on some of the buildings of the Fatehpur Sikri. Maharaja Suraj Singh`s Chhatri is the most impressive of all, created entirely with white marble and adorned with spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceiling. The later cenotaphs were made from marble and very beautifully sculpted and ornamented. Rajput paintings adorn the ceiling of some of the cenotaphs.

Situated 205 kms from the city of Bikaner, is the small town of Kalibanga. The remnants of the pre-Harappan and Harappan settlements have been found at this place. A site of delight for the archaeology enthusiasts, its archaeology dates back to the Harappan and pre-Harappan times. Archaeology at Kalibanga reveals that Rajasthan had been an important centre of the ceramic industry. The paintings on the ancient pottery from Kalibanga bear close affinity and resemblance with the Harappan designs. The contemporary potters of Rajasthan were fully aware of the ceramic handicrafts and industry of the Indus Valley civilisation. The extensive remains of the pre-Harappan and Harappan civilizations, found at this place in the Hanumangarh district, are of immense interest. This place houses immense treasure of our past and is of particular interest to archaeology enthusiasts. Discovered by A. Ghosh (director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India), this site, is of archaeological significance because it contains both pre-Harappan and Harappan remains; and therein can be seen the transition between the two cultures. Although the pre-Harappan culture worked copper and produced pottery, it had no writing system, and its ruins lack the orderly layout and use of baked brick that is found in the later Harappan sites. Excavations reveal that Rajasthan had been an important centre of the ceramic industry. The paintings on the ancient pottery bear close affinity and resemblance with the Harappan designs. The contemporary potters of Rajasthan were well aware of the Indus Valley ceramic handicrafts and industry. The Harappan remains include a cemetery and a fortified citadel.

Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum was established in the year 1937 near the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner. The museum is now run by the Government of Rajasthan, and the venue of the same has been shifted to a new building in the civil lines in 1954. It has one of the richest collections of Terracotta ware, weapons, paintings of Bikaner school and coins. The exhibits are splendid master pieces from the time of the Harappan civilisation, the Gupta Empire in India and the 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, and Lithoprints of the British interpretation of the war of Independence 1857. Among the major exhibits of the museum is the Furgal (Silk Robe) of Prince Salim dating back to 1596 AD. It was presented by Crown Prince Salim, to Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner, one of his closest officials. The Historical Mughal Farmans, are another interesting display here. The History of Bikaner contains a colourful record of war adventures. More than half a dozen rulers lost their lives while participating in the imperial campaigns of the Mughals. Various `Farmans` bearing original Imperial seals, issued by the Emperors - Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb and Shah Alam, are preserved in this museum. Apart from these, the museum houses a fine collection of exquisite miniature paintings in Rajasthan, the finest collection of early terracotta art in the country, sculptures, lacquered works and wood and stone carvings.

Gajner Palace has often been described as `an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert`. The palace stands on the embankment of a lake. The architecture of Gajner palace is truly outstanding. Built in red sandstone with intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens, the craftsmanship here is amazing. A part of the palace has been transformed into a hotel. The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary provides shelter to chinkaras, blackbucks, blue bull (nilgai), wild boar and flocks of imperial sand grouse and many other birds and waterfowls which flock here in large numbers.