BikanerTravel Guide

Built in 1589 and never conquered, this sprawling fort houses ornate palaces, mirrored halls, and a museum of royal artefacts — including a WWI biplane gifted to the Maharaja.

The fort's most opulent chamber — gold leaf frescoes, lacquer work, and Italian glass cover every surface, used as the coronation hall for Bikaner's rulers.

A 30km drive to Deshnoke reveals one of India's most unusual shrines — over 20,000 sacred rats scurry freely across the marble floors, considered reincarnated devotees and fed milk and grain by pilgrims.

A 15th-century temple said to have been built using ghee instead of water in its mortar — its walls are covered in vivid frescoes depicting Jain tirthankaras, with views over the Old City's rooftops from the upper floors.

A red sandstone palace built in 1902 in Indo-Saracenic style, part of which is now a heritage hotel — the museum wing displays vintage cars, hunting trophies, and royal portraits.

Bikaner is the camel capital of India — head into the dunes outside the city for a sunset ride, ending with a campfire dinner under some of the clearest night skies in Rajasthan.

A working research farm where you can see hundreds of camels of different breeds, learn about camel milk products, and sample camel-milk ice cream and tea at the on-site cafe.

Bikaner gave the world bhujia — a crispy, spiced gram-flour snack sold by the kilo from shops across the Old City, alongside rich sweets like rasgulla and ghevar.

A former royal hunting lodge 30km from the city, set on a lake that draws imperial sandgrouse and migratory birds — the palace is now a heritage hotel where visitors can stroll the gardens and lakeside terrace.

Wander the narrow lanes around Rampuria Street to see ornately carved red sandstone havelis built by wealthy merchant families — many over a century old, with intricate jali screens and frescoed facades.