Bikaner is one of the most culturally rich cities in Rajasthan, which has its roots in India even before the Harappan civilization. The places to visit in Bikaner with intimidating forts and palaces would captivate you and their glorious past would intrigue you. That's the power this city would hold over you that you’d have no option but to delve deeper. Furthermore, this city retains its ancient opulence, which is evident from the grandeur of the attractions here, so plan a trip to this historically significant destination right away.
Top Places to Visit in Bikaner: Take a Plunge into the Depths of this Historical City
Bikaner houses several famous and culturally rich tourist attractions that are a must-visit whenever you decide on a vacation to this Rajasthani city. Try the local cuisine, immerse in the local culture, explore the gorgeous places and feel like royalty by the heartwarming welcome this city gives you. Here are the attractions in Bikaner that would make your vacation a successful one.
- Junagarh Fort
- Karni Mata Temple
- Lalgarh Palace
- National Research Center on Camel
- Devi Kund
- Shri Laxminath Temple
- Kolayat
- Bikaner Camel Festival
- Jain Temple Bhandasar
- Kote Gate
1. Junagarh Fort: The Uncaptured Fort in Bikaner
What makes Junagarh Fort one of the Bikaner famous places is that this fort has never been captured by anyone. This fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, a general of Emperor Akbar in 1588 AD. You might have heard of this place when it was known as Chintamani. The grandeur of this place is evident as soon as you step inside this fort, with palaces, balconies, gardens, and much more. You’ll see the essence of Mughal, Rajput, and Gujrati designs in the architecture and the picturesque views from the top are breathtaking.
Timings: 10 A.M to 4:30 P.M
Entry fee:
Indians – Around INR 50/-
Indian Students – Around INR 30/-
Foreigner Students – Around INR 150/-
Foreigners – Around INR 300/-
Audio Tour – Around INR 350/-
Phool Mahal and Chandra Mahal – Around INR 100/-
Time required: 2 to 3 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 2 km
Highlights: Har Mandir, Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Hawa Mahal, and Fort Museum
Nearby restaurants: Masala Chowk Food Court, Gallops Restaurant and Coffee House, Garden Café and Restaurant
Nearby hotels: Hotel Bhairon Vilas, Hotel Jaswant Bhawan, Hotel Harasar Haveli
How to reach: To reach this fort from within the city, you can take an auto-rickshaw, bus or private vehicle
2. Karni Mata Temple: A Unique Worship Place
If you’re looking for offbeat places to see in Bikaner, then this Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke is an excellent example of it. This temple is the abode of Goddess Durga’s incarnation, and the highlight of this place is the more than 25,000 rats residing here. These rats are worshipped and revered here, and people from all over the world visit this place to offer milk and sweets to these animals. Killing a rat here is a sin and you must replace that rat with a gold one because these creatures are considered to be the sons of Karni Mata.
Timings: 4 A.M to 10 P.M
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 30 km
Highlights: 25,000 rats reside here
Nearby hotels: Hotel Chirag, Hotel Heeralal, Hotel Bhanwar Niwas
How to reach: You can take a bus or a taxi to reach here
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3. Lalgarh Palace: The True Essence of Rajasthan
If you’re in Bikaner, you cannot miss out on this magnificent historical structure built to commemorate Maharaja Lal Singh. The coalescence of Rajput, Mughal, and European designs in the architecture give this palace an even splendid appearance. This palace has been turned into a Heritage Hotel and is under the National Heritage Trust. So, if you’re into an extravagant lifestyle and wish to feel like royalty, then you can stay here or explore this place as a visitor. You might come across peacocks in the massive gardens, and when they dance, the beauty of this place increases manifolds, making it one of the most famous places to visit in Bikaner.
Timings:
Monday to Saturday – 10 A.M to 5 P.M
Sunday - Closed
Entry fee: Around INR 20/-
Time required: 2 to 3 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 3 km
Highlights: The glorious architecture
Nearby restaurants: Laxmi Niwas Palace, Hotel Sagar, Diggi Dine
Nearby hotels: The Laxmi Niwas Palace, Narendra Bhawan, Basant Vihar Palace Hotel
How to reach: You can take a cab from within the city
4. National Research Center on Camel: One of its Kind Attraction
When it comes to places to go in Asia, you must add this attraction to your list because it’s the only Camel research center in Asia. Camels are bred here and it’s open to the public to observe the different breeds of camels and their behavior. You can even go for a camel ride or safari, and there’s a camel milk parlor as well with various dairy products, such as ice cream, tea, coffee, etc. made from camel milk. It’s a must-visit location in Bikaner, so do make a note to stop by this place.
Timings: 3 P.M to 6 P.M
Entry fee:
Indians – Around INR 30/-
Foreigners – Around INR 100/-
Camera – Around INR 50/- (Videography isn’t allowed)
Time required: 2 to 3 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 9 km
Highlights: There are around 400 camels of over 4 different breeds, including baby camels
Nearby restaurants: Hotel Chirag, Laxmi Niwas Palace, Hang Around Zone
Nearby hotels: Hotel Chirag, Hotel Heeralal, Park Paradise
How to reach: You can either take an auto-rickshaw or taxi
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5. Devi Kund: View the Royal Cenotaphs
Devi Kund is among the best places to visit in Bikaner because of the royal cenotaphs of various rulers of the Bikaji dynasty. This crematorium also includes the cenotaphs of 22 females who committed sati and a sata (male sati) as well. These marble pillars and cenotaphs display mesmerizing carvings of Lord Krishna and other traditional designs. Even the founder of this city, Rao Bikaji was cremated here. The picturesque views from here of the lake and the lush greenery would win your heart.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 9 km
Highlights: The royal crematorium with magnificent carvings
Nearby restaurants: Mother’s Kitchen, Heeralals, The American Shakes Bikaner
Nearby hotels: Hotel Gaj Kesari, Thar Exotica Resort, Saffron Guest House and Hotel
How to reach: You can reach there by hiring a cab or taxi
6. Shri Laxminath Temple: The Real King of Bikaner
Being one of the oldest temples in Bikaner, this is one of the attractions in Rajasthan that is a must-visit. This temple was built in the 14th century and is the abode of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. The locals consider Lord Vishnu as their real king and see themselves as his ministers. The blend of white marble and red sandstone when paired with marvelous architecture and intricate designs, enhances the beauty of this temple. The paintings and sculptures here would make you fall into a trance and if you visit during a major festival like Diwali, Janmashtami, etc. that's when you’ll see the real glory of this temple.
Timings: 5 A.M to 1 P.M and 5 P.M to 11 P.M
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: Around 1 hour
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 2 km
Highlights: The gorgeous sculptures and paintings
Nearby restaurants: The Palace Kitchen, Gallop’s Restaurant and Coffee House, Shri Bikaner Mishthan Bhandar
Nearby hotels: Hotel Bhanwar Palace, Hotel Kishan Palace, Hotel Jaswant Bhawan
How to reach: A taxi or an auto-rickshaw is a convenient option to reach here
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7. Kolayat: The Legend of Kapil Muni
The reason behind the popularity of this quaint town is the legend that Kapil Muni stopped by this place and was mesmerized by its serenity. Therefore, he decided to perform a penance here for the betterment of the world. Therefore, this place is considered a pilgrimage site by many. The Kapil Muni Fair that is organized here is the highlight of this location and the tranquil lake and scenic surroundings make this one of the places to travel in India for relaxation and soaking in the positive vibe.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: 4 to 5 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 50 km
Highlights: The sacred Kolayat Lake and temple
Nearby restaurants: Mumbai Masala, Gahlot Restaurant, Shri Karni Hotel and Restaurant
Nearby hotels: Gajner Palace, Tanisha Heritage Haveli, Hotel Royal Plaza
How to reach: You can either take a train or a taxi to reach this town
8. Bikaner Camel Festival: Be a Part of the Celebration
Apart from Bikaner tourist places, you must also engage in the cultural festivals of the city, such as the Camel festival. This festival is celebrated every year in January for two days and is focused entirely on camels. Since Bikaner is known as the Land of Camels, you cannot miss out on this fun and exciting event, where camels are dressed in vibrant clothes, you can watch them compete in various competitions, go for a camel ride, and much more. In addition, you can enjoy delicious food, shop from the stalls, and make the most of the day.
Best time to visit: January
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: 2 to 3 hours
Highlights: The colorfully dressed camels with accessories
Major attractions: Folk dance, music, puppet shows, fire dance, recitals by R.A.C and Indian Army
Tips: Respect the culture and tradition, wear sunscreen and comfortable clothes as the afternoons are quite hot, and stay hydrated
Suggested Read: A Complete Guide to the Char Dham Yatra: A Union with the Divine
9. Jain Temple Bhandasar: The Highest Temple in the City
There are 27 Jain temples in Bikaner, out of which, the Bhandasar Jain Temple is considered the highest and the most beautiful temple. Built in the 15th century, it’s made entirely of white marble and red sandstone, the blend of these two colors exudes simplicity and beauty like no other. The intricate designs, magnificent carvings, sculpted pillars, gold leaf work, etc. adorn this place and enhance its significance. This three-storey temple is dedicated to the 5th Tirthankar, Sumatinath and is one of the incredible places to visit in Bikaner.
Timings: 5 A.M to 1 P.M, 5:30 P.M to 8:30 P.M
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 3 km
Highlights: One of the oldest temples in Bikaner
Nearby restaurants: Sattvic Multi-Cuisine Restaurant, Gallops Restaurant and Coffee House, Laxmi Niwas Palace
Nearby hotels: Laxmi Niwas Palace, Hotel Bhanwar Palace, Hotel Jaswant Bhawan
How to reach: You can reach this temple via a taxi or an auto-rickshaw
10. Kote Gate: The Shopping Hub of the City
Kote Gate is the point from where the city starts, and it separates the old city from the new one. However, that’s not all, this place is also an excellent place for shopping. So, indulge in some retail therapy when you’re here because it’s one of the things to do in Bikaner that is a must. You can buy miniature paintings, wood carvings, snacks, such as Bhujia and Rosogollah, handicrafts, and much more. You’ll also come across palaces and forts here that you can explore.
Timings: 10:30 A.M to 8:30 P.M
Entry fee: N/A
Time required: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Bikaner: Approx. 1 km
What to buy: Handicrafts, embroidered shoes, miniature paintings, wood carvings, etc.
Nearby restaurants: Garden Café and Restaurant, Amberwalla, The Palace Kitchen
Nearby hotels: Kochar’s Hotel Marudhar Heritage, Hotel Bhairon Vilas, Bikaner Resort
How to reach: An auto-rickshaw or a taxi is a convenient option to reach here
Bikaner is a historically and culturally rich city in Rajasthan, which makes it a popular tourist destination. Therefore, the places to visit in Bikaner are breathtaking and exude regality. The forts, palaces, royal cenotaphs, everything is grand and exuberant, which makes vacationing in this city an excellent option. So go for our Bikaner tour packages and leave everything up to us. All you have to do is get ready for a mesmerizing and memorable holiday.
Places to Visit in Bikaner - FAQs
If you’re staying in Bikaner for a day, then you must explore the following places:
- Lalgarh Palace
- Karni Mata Temple
- Kote Gate
Bikaner’s famous for its forts and palaces that hold great historical significance and the natural beauty that surrounds this city. Also, this city is known as the Camel City, so camels are also quite a famous attraction in this city.
There are numerous tourist places in Bikaner and each one is as magnificent as the others. For instance, Junagarh Fort, Bhandasar Jain Temple, Devi Kund, Royal Cenotaphs, etc. are famous tourist spots.
If you’re shopping in Bikaner, you must buy these items:
- Handicrafts
- Miniature paintings
- Embroidered jutis
- Rajasthani apparel
- Snacks, such as Bhujia
You can plan a vacation of 4 to 5 days in this camel city as it’ll give you sufficient time to immerse yourself in the culture, explore the tourist attractions, and feel satisfied with your holiday.
The best time to visit Bikaner is from October to March, when the weather’s slightly cool and pleasant. Exploring the city in the heat wouldn’t be the most preferred time, so these months are the best for visiting the city.
For shopping, you can go to Kote Gate, Station Road, or City Shopping. You can buy traditional Rajasthani items from here to take back home as souvenirs.
The top restaurants in Bikaner include Laxmi Niwas Palace, Gallops Restaurant and Coffee House, Heeralal’s Restaurant, Hang Around Zone, etc.
