Mera naam hai chameli
Main hu Malan albeli
Chali aayi main akeli Bikaner se
Mera naam hai chameli
Do
you remember this song of film Raja aur Rank (1968).
This song was haunting me since my student life. That
caused Bikaner in my dream for a long time, but never had a chance to plan a
visit.
Bikaner was our 4th destination in Rajasthan. We board
for Bikaner from Jaisalmer at 11.00P.M and reached Bikaner early morning at 5.00.A.M. Railway
station of Bilkaner was well managed with a grand Rajasthani architectured
building. Platforms were calm peacefull and clean.Retiring room was on first
floor. Portor lifted our luggage and kept in our reserved rooms.
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Lal garh Fort-Bikaner |
Bikaner brings to life everything you want from a
desert town; the dust-swirled vibrancy, the grand forts, the narrow lanes of a
walled city, the red stone houses and the strange, familiar feeling of an
outpost town with mixed threads of history lingering in the air.
History of Bikaner
Bikaner
is said to have been founded in 1488, on a barren desert area called Jungaldesh
by a Rajput Prince Rao Bika Ji, son of Rao Jodha Ji who founded Jodhpur.
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Lal Garh Fort-Bikaner |
Provoked by his father, Prince Bika Ji went on a campaign
with a small military contingent of 500 soldiers and 100 cavalry men to
establish his own Kingdom.
After subduing the Chieftains of Rajputs clans and Jats
in the vicinity, Bikaji established his kingdom in the middle of the Thar
Desert which came to be known as Bikaner. It evolved into a beautiful city and
an independent kingdom.
After subduing the Chieftains of Rajputs clans and Jats
in the vicinity, Bikaji established his kingdom in the middle of the Thar
Desert which came to be known as Bikaner. It evolved into a beautiful city and
an independent kingdom.
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Other version for establishing a new kingdom is
narrated: -- As the second son of Jodha he had no chance of inheriting his
father’s territory of Jodhpur or to the title of Maharaja. He, therefore,
reconciled and decided to build his own kingdom at Bikaner.
Juna garh Fort
Our first place of visit in Bikaner was Junagarh
Fort.Hired a three wheler auto rikshaw from rly station which charged
Rs.50/=.Entry fees costed Rs.50/=each.
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There was a waiting line for the visitors. Visitors can
sit there on the benches. A guide was calling people in groups. The palace
tickets include services of a guide. That guide will roam you around the palace
and will tell all about the history of this palace.
Junagarh Fort was constructed by Raja Rai Singh, a
general in army of emperor Akbar in
1593.This grand fort is not on a hill top ,as many other forts of Rajasthan.
It has picturesque courtyards, and designed as a
perfect mix blend of Moghal, Rajput and Gujrati style of architecture. The main attractions inside this fort are
Dungar Mahal, Anup Mahal, Ganga Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Hawa Mahal and Diwan-e-
Khas.The Palace is well maintained and an eye feast for tourists.Junagarh
Palace proved a heaven for my camera.
Lal Garh Palace.
About one hour visit of Junagrh Fort, we came out of
this awesome palace,and reached Lal Garh Palce,which is about 3.00 Km from here. This palace was built in 1902 by
the Maharaja Sanga Singh in the memory of his father the Maharaja Lal Singh Ji.
Lal Garh Palace.was designed by an European architect,
Sir Swinton Jacob. Thus, the overall architecture of this palace presents a
superb blend of the Rajput and Victorian art influences.
Now, this property has been converted into an
awe-inspiring heritage hotel known as the Luxmi Niwas Palace. The royal family
still lives in a special suite in the Lalgarh palace, which they have converted
into a heritage hotel.
After
a beautiful mesmerizing trip to Junagarh fort and Lal garh Palace. We were
hungry and exhausted. Decided to back in market around railway station for
lunch. There were dozen hotels around.
The Rampuria Group of
Havelies
"If dreams are cast in stones or if stones can
sing they would be like the exteriors and interiors of Bikaner havelies".
The fine detailed carvings on the wall of the Havelis
suddenly put you in to vintage mood .They make you think how Bikaner used to be
when once the wealthy merchants who built these buildings lived here.
Rampuria group of Havelies are known for their more
than 400 years old architecture splendor.
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.
Karni Mata Temple of
Deshnokh
Besides its palaces Bikaner is highly popular for its
temples.The most popular among them is Mata Krni Temple at a distance of about
26 Km in Deshnokh.
The Karni Mata Rat Temple of Bikaner was the most
unique and freaky attraction.It was in my dream, since I saw a Tv. programme on
Discovery Channel, over this temple.
This is only temple of world, where rats are pious and
are worshiped. It is believed that around 20,000 rats live in remplex and are
free to roam anywhere in temple complex.Devotees feed them milk and sweets to
seek blessing of Devi Karni The Goddess.
An interesting fact that everyone told us was that
these rats never leave the temple even though they are free to do so. I say,
why leave when you are given a steady stream of tasty milk and treats. Worshipers make pilgrimages to the Karni Mata Temple not only to worship the
rats, but to also heal their ailments.
Bhujya’s of Bikaner
Many people remember Bikaner only for its amazing,
Forts, Palaces, Haveli’s, Camels, Sand Duens etc. But this desert city Bikaner
is known international for it salted and spicy Bhujyas. Haldi Ram and Bikano are
famous Brand names.
In
1877, during the reign of Maharaja Shri Dungar Singh, the first batch of bhujia
was produced in the princely state of Bikaner.
The credit of packaging this savory delight in packets
and taking it to the world goes to Haldiram, and over 20,000 kgs of Bhujia are
produced in Haldiram’s Bikaner factory every day. The local halwais of the
bazaar themselves produce over 30,000 kg of bhujia daily.
This
ends two days visit of the Laughing City ‘The Bikaner”.My camera is full of
with sweet memories of colorful desert city.Next destination was Jaipur. It was
interesting to hear people still refer to royalty as “Hamare Maharaj” (our
king).
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