This Royal walled city is a part of the desert tourist triangle and lies on the northern tip of the triangle. The city was founded in 1486 A.D. by yhe Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji, hence the name Bikaner. Bikaji was son of Rao Jodhaji who had asked his son to establish a kingdom of his own. The challenge was accepted and Bikaji choose the wild country Jangaldesh as his territory and thus the city of Bikaner came into existence.

          Lying between 28°01’ latitude and 73°19’ longitude, the city is situted on somewhat elevated ground at a height of about 232 meters above the mean sea level. Formerly it was a walled city, but with the change of time, the city wall lost its siginificance and its maintenance became unnecessary. Due to growth of the population, the city has outgrown the wall and new colonies and buildings have been constructed outside it. There are five entrance in the city wall named as kote gate, Jassusar gate, Nathusar gate, Seetla gate, and Goga gate, beside eight sally-ports.

          The city flourished as an important trade centre between Gujrat seaports and west Asian countries. The unbroken line of descendants of Bikaji ruled Bikaner till India got Independence. Bikaner is known for good breed of riding camels, which are among the best in the world. The camel festival held every year is famous. Bikaner has many magnificient building made of Reddish pink sandstone that transcends the surrounding barren wilderness. Unlike other cities of Rajasthan, Bikaner has been able to preserve its traditional aura of the medieval era.

PALACES OF INTEREST

• Junagarh Fort

• Lalgarh Palace

• Ganga Niwas Public Park

• Ratan Bihari Templ Park

• Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum

• Bika-ka-Tekri (Old Fort)

•  Laxmi Narayan Temple

• Bhandasar Temple

• Dhuni Nath Temple

SITES NEARBY

• Camel Research Farm (8 km)

•  Devi Kund (8 km.)

• Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke (32 km.)

• Kolyatji (50 KM.)

• Gajner Palace & Wildlife sanctuary

• Shiv Bari Temple (6 km.)

•  Kalibangan (205 km.)