BIKANER
Fairs and festivals of Bikaner
Camel Festival
On the full moon night in January, every year, comes the camel
festival. A unique experience where camels perform a range
of unusual acts. The exciting camel races, the marvelous camel
dances and unforgettable camel rides are some of the highlights.
Karni Mata Fair
The fair is held twice in a year - during April-May and Oct-Nov.
on the 9th day of Navratri, devotees of Mata crowd at Deshnoke
to offer worship and prayer to Goddess Durga.
Kolayatji fair
In October-November on the full-moon night, the devotees throng
at Kolayat to take a dip in the Kolayat lake. They also offer
prayers to Karni Mata.
Gangapur Festival (April)
Dedicated to Goddess Parvati – the consort of Lord Shiva.
Grand processions of the deity accompanied by dancing women
are a part of the eighteen day long celebrations.
Holi (March)
Exuberant festivities beginning several days before the actual
day of Holi, make it a special and spectacular occasion.
How to Get There
Air : The nearest airport is
Jodhpur 253 km.
Rail : Bikaner is connected with
Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhatinda, Kalka and Howrah (Calcutta).
Some important train connections are :
Kalka Express (Bikaner-Jodhpur)
Bikaner Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner)
Chetak Express (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner)
Bikaner Mail (Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Bikaner).
Road : Bikaner is connected
by road with the major cities of India.
Some important distance are:- Delhi 456 km.- Jaipur 334 km
- Jaisalmer 333 km.
Local Transport : Unmetered taxis, auto-rickshaws and
tangas.
Where to Stay
Palace/Heritage Hotels
Lallgarh Palace Hotel, Tel : 523963
Gajner Palace Hotel, Gajner, Tel : (01534) 5001, 5002, 5003
Hotel Bhanwar Niwas, Tel : 61880, 71043
Hotel Basant Vihar Palace, Tel : 528162
Hotel Karni Bhawan, Tel : 524701-10.
Standard Hotels
RTDC Hotel Dhola Maru, Tel : 28621
Thar Hotel, Tel : 27180
Hotel Joshi, Tel : 527702-7
Sagar Hotel, Tel : 520677, 528377.
Supplementary Accommodation
Hotel Jaswant Niwas, Kishan Palace, Desert Wind, Sri Ram Guest
House and Palace View.
Paying Guest Accommodation
Approved paying guest accommodation available. For details
please contact Asstt. Director, Tourist Reception Centre,
RTDC Hotel Dhola Maru Campus, Tel : 27445.
Dining
Ambar restaurant, Station Road, Tel. 61861
Chhotu Motoo Restaurant , Station Road, Tel ; 44666
Thar Restaurant, Thar Hotel near Ambedkar Circle, Tel : 27180
Sagar Hotel Restaurant Opp. Bus Stand, tel : 528377
Hotel Basant Vihar, Tel : 528162
Hotel Lallgarh Palace, Tel : 523963.
Shopping
Bikaner has its own peculiar items, typical to this region;
its articles made of camel-hide, camel and sheep wool carpets
and woolen items, wood and leather products. The Bikaneri
Bhujia, Rasgulla and sweets are popular all over India. Shopping
areas include inside Kot Gate, King Edward Memorial Road,
Khadi Industries Institute, Station Road, Urmil Trust at Junagarh
Fort.
Other Useful Information
Banks
Bank of Rajasthan, Tel : 27646
Central Bank of India, Tel : 26984
Central Cooperative Bank, Tel : 27073
Punjab National Bank, Tel : 27206
United Commercial Bank, Tel : 23911
State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, Tel : 27368, 27034, 27148.
General Information
| Area
|
38.10
sq. km. |
|
Altitude |
237
metres. |
|
Climate |
Mean
Max |
Mean
Min |
| Summer
|
41.80
C |
28.00C
|
|
Winter |
23.20
C |
5.00
C |
| Rainfall. |
26 - 44 cms. |
| Best
Season |
October-March.
|
| Clothing |
Summer
|
Light
Tropical |
| Winter
|
Woollen
|
| Languages
|
Rajasthani,
Hindi, English. |
|
|
|
