When it comes to tourism in Rajasthan, Bikaner is usually overlooked. Compared to the exotic Udaipur, traditional Jodhpur and royal Jaisalmer, Bikaner is more like the poor cousin of ignored by the rich members of the family.
Lucky for me!
Traveling to Rajasthan in winters can be hectic. Hotels are full, train and bus tickets are not easily available, unless you are traveling to Bikaner. A lovely destination, still not cluttered with tourists, Bikaner is the place where every backpacker wants to be.
Check out my travelogue on Karni Mata Temple here.
Havelis, desert, camels, awesome street food and a temple filled with thousands of mouse, what else is left?
Bikaner is 448 kms away from Delhi, that makes it a perfect weekend destination. Originally named Bikano, it is a dusty and colorful town with many hidden gems.
Bikaner is popular for its street side delicacies. You can find mouthwatering Kachori, Jalebi, Bhujiya,and Lassi. To make the maximum out of Bikaner’s street food, my advice is to explore the city on foot.
It is very easy to find shared autos for every route of Bikaner city, you can travel from bus stand to railway station for INR 10 per person. Most of the cheap hotels are around railway station area and charge between INR 200 to 250 per night.
Bikaner camel research center is one of the most unique research facilities in the country. The institution houses a number of camels to research about the nutritional and health benefits. Along with health benefits, the research center also takes care of breeding and taking care of baby camels.
Bikaner is the city of forts, palaces and old havelis. Junagarh fort is one of the must visit locations in Bikaner The fort is divided into 8 sections. The fort complex has an armory gallery and a collection of war souvenirs. The aircraft owned by the Maharaja is still kept in the fort complex. While many travel blogs insist on hiring a guide, my recommendation is to keep explore the fort complex on your own. It will give you a better perspective.
Travel Tips
How to reach – Bikaner is 6 hours away from New Delhi. Trains and buses run regularly between both cities. RSRTC bus ply from ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Best Time to Travel – September to early March
Other Tips – Wear loose clothing, keep head gear and shades to avoid sunstroke. Drink a lot of water when you are traveling.
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