Introduction
Bikaner is located in the northern part of Rajasthan. It was founded by a descendent of the founder of Jodhpur whose name was Rao Bhikaji. Bikaner, like Jaisalmer, was an important town on the great trade route in the medieval period. The city is surrounded by high fortifications comprising a seven-kilometre long wall, which encircles the old city and has five entrances-all constructed in the 18th century. Bikaner has seen many upheavals in its long and eventful history. Due to its proximity with Delhi, the capital of Mughal India, Bikaner bore the burnt of Mughal attacks several times. According to the legends, Rao Bhikaji sought the blessings of Goddess Karni at Deshnoke before embarking on his campaigns. Karni Mata Temple is still being patronized by the erstwhile ruling family of Bikaner. Hundreds of pilgrims throng the temple every day throughout the year to seek the blessings of the Goddess, considered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Bikaner is also the birthplace of world renowned Bikaneri Bhujia and namkeen (a salted snack made of lentils). Bikaner is renowned for being the place where one can get the best riding camels for camel safaris. Welcome to the Camel Country.

BIKANER - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Altitude 237 metres above sea level Area 165.75 sq. km Population 4,16,289 Language Rajasthani, Hindi, English Telephone Code 0151 Best time to visit November-February

BIKANER - CLIMATE AND LOCATION
Climate
Being a desertscape, the summers are very hot in Bikaner. It is situated on a slightly higher altitude and has an arid climate most of the year. The best time to visit this place is in winters when the weather remains cool and tolerable.

Location
Bikaner is located in the northern part of Rajasthan. If you are looking for Bikaner on the map, you will find it in the Western India lying on latitude 28°01' north and longitude 73°22' east. Bikaner is the fourth largest city of Rajasthan and surrounded by great walls like Jodhpur. To the north of the city, you will find Sriganganagar and Hanumannagar while Churu is located to its east. In the south of Bikaner are located Nagaur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer while to the south of it is neighboring country of Pakistan. Bikaner was one of the most important trade centers for the traders of west-central Asia.

BIKANER - HISTORY AND LEGENDS
Rao Bhikaji was the sixth son of Rao Jodha, the founder of Bikaner. He left the kingdom of his father when he realized that his fortunes lay somewhere else. He founded Bikaner after pastoral Jats of Northern Rajasthan submitted to his authority in AD 1488.

According to the legends, Rao Bhikaji sought the blessings of Goddess Karni at Deshnoke before embarking on his campaigns. Karni Mata Temple is still being patronized by the erstwhile ruling family of Bikaner. Hundreds of pilgrims throng the temple every day throughout the year to seek the blessings of the Goddess, considered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. An unusual feature of the temple is the innumerable rats that have made this temple their home. Rats of this temple are considered as the future incarnations of some mystic child of the temple deity.

Merchant banking and other trading activities were the major source of income for Bikaner till the British time. The city, together with Jaisalmer and Jodhpur was the part of a great inland trade route to Central and West Asia. Bikaner bore the burnt of Mughal attacks several times and earned reverence among its fellow Rajput states when it repulsed the onslaught of the Mughal army under emperor Aurangzeb.

After the decline of mighty Mughals in the nineteenth century, widespread anarchy came in India. Many princely kingdomsIn the nineteenth century, alarmed by the widespread anarchy brought about by the decline of the Mughals, many princely kingdoms turned to the English East India Company for security. Bikaner signed the instrument of agreement with the Company in AD 1818, along with other princely states in Rajasthan. Bikaner proved a true ally at the time of the AD 1857 revolt, Afghan War, and the Anglo Sikh Wars.

BIKANER - TRANSPORTATION
By Air

By Rail

By Road