Archive for the ‘Bikaner’ Category
October 24th, 2011 | 
Author: This grand palace is an architectural masterwork in red sandstone, and was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh Ji in 1902. Sir Swinton Jacob designed this oriental fantasy. This architecture is a fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European architecture. The exterior contrasts dramatically with the oriental interiors and amenities. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work, which are hallmarks of a great craftsmanship.
Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji made the Lalgarh Palace in 1902. His vision was given shape by the Britisher Sir Swinton Jacob. The Indo-sarcenic exterior of the Fort is complemented by lavish interiors, modern amenities, lattice and filigree work that are typical of the highest standards of craftsmanship this region, a large collection of paintings and trophies.
The beautiful gardens are lush with bougainvillaea and peacocks have made a home in the gardens. The Lalgarh palace library is believed to have the largest collection of original Sanskrit manuscripts on parchments, copper and gold and silver plaques. Its museum even has a World War 1 Bi-plane. Built in the memory of maharaja Lal Singh, Lalgarh Palace has a graceful facade of red sandstone, and is one of Maharaja Ganga Singh’s great achievements. The maharaja ruled for a period of 56 years. The state especially prospered under his rule.
In the fort museum which is housed in the red sandstone Ganga Niwas, built during the reign of Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh, here can be seen a unique collection of miniature paintings, manuscripts, weaponry and even a world war I bi-plane. The Lalgarh palace has now been converted into a beautiful hotel. The large and airy rooms point towards a pervasive British influence, even though the Welcome group took over it’s management in 1993 and made numerous renovations.
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Junagarh fort in Bikaner is considered one of India’s most impressive fort complexes. It’s exquisitely decorated interiors are in an excellent state of preservation. Built in 1588 by Raja Rai Singh, it is one of the few major forts, which were not built on a hilltop. The complex consists of palaces, courtyards, pavilions, and balconies. The walls are adorned with carved stones, marble, paintings, and inlaid semi-precious stones. Each palace in the complex was built by a different ruler, over the centuries.
The Anup Mahal is one of the most impressive rooms in the fort complex. The ornately lacquered walls are covered in red and gold with colored glass inlay. White plaster pillars are decorated in delicate patterns and covered with gold leaf. In a land where water is rare, the Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace’s walls are painted with a fresco of rain clouds. The Rain Fresco photograph shows a painting of Krishna and Radna surrounded by the blue cloud motifs.
It is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat. The main entrance to the fort is Karan Pol (Gate) that is east facing. Next to it is the Suraj Pol, the sun gate. The fort situates in it some very magnificent palaces like Anup Mahal, Ganga Niwas and Rang Mahal or palace of pleasure. The Har Mandir is the majestic chapel for the royal family for worshipping their gods and goddesses. These palaces, constructed in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. The premises also house a museum which is an array of a rich collection.
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival in Delhi, meet our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would list visiting the Raj Ghat – the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. A detailed sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the majestic India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Night stay in Delhi.
Day 3 Delhi – Agra
After breakfast, morning drive to Agra, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later proceed for city sight seeing tour visiting the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Also visit Agra Fort, containing the Pearl Mosque – the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambiance, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Also visit Itmad-up-Dau’s tomb, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. Night stay in Agra.
Day 4 Agra – Jaipur
Check out the hotel and proceed to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Visit the remains, it fortifications within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 5 Jaipur
After meal in the hotel, start the day with excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort. Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it’s ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing. Next we move to City Palace- a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. Jantar Mantar is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of ancient astronomical instruments is still in use. Hawa Mahal is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. The five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trellis work and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 6 Jaipur – Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur- an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan enroute visiting Pushkar. Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It’s marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site. Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day 7 Udaipur
After breakfast in the hotel, morning city sight seeing tour of Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day 8 Udaipur – Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 9 Jodhpur
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur – the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 10 Jodhpur – Jaisalmer
Morning drive to Jaisalmer, on arrival transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 11 Jaisalmer
Morning city sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Throbbing in the heart of the Thar, the burnished sandstone, is an intricately molded wonderland in place of a barren land, today stands a city of gilded magic. The origins of Jaisalmer go back to the 12th century, when Rawal Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Ludarwa and laid the foundation of a new city. Visit the magnificent fort, the Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli, with their carved balconies and brackets which are supreme examples of the art. Evening camel ride to visit sand Dunes. Night stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 12 Jaisalmer – Bikaner
After food, drive to Bikaner. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Later city sight seeing tour. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gate. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain and Deshnoke Rat temple. Night stay in Bikaner.
Day 13 Bikaner – Mandawa
Morning drive to Mandawa, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit Mandawa, founded 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum. Night stay in Mandawa.
Day 14 Mandawa – Delhi
Departure Morning drive to Delhi and transfer to airport for onward journey.
Here are few places to see in Bikaner city of Rajasthan.
Junnagarh
The foundation of the place was laid down by Raja Rai Singh(1571-1611 A.D.), a general in the army of emperor Akbar in 1593 A.D.The fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful places within. The place has been carved out of red sandstone (Dulmera) and marble.The fort has 986 long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances.The main entrance of the temple is Karan Poal.Junnagarh encompasses places like Anop mahal, Ganga niwas, Rang mahal, Durbar Hall, Gaj mandir, Sheesh Mahal or mirror chamber etc.Anoop Mahal is renowed for it’s gold leaf painting. Har Mandir exhibits a majestic chapel where the royal family worshiped there Gods and Goddesses. Chandra mahal or moon palace displays exquisite paintings on the lime plaster walls and Phool mahal or the Flower palace is famous for its inset mirror work. The gigantic columns , arches and graceful screen grace the palaces.
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
The museum is located near the Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner.The founadation of this museum was laid down in 1937 on the eve of the Golden jubilee celebrations of Maharaja Ganga Singh. In 1954, the museum was shifted to a new building in the Civil lines.The museum exhibits one of the richest collection of Terracotta ware, weapons, maniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins.The collection can be traced back to Harappan civilisation, Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time.The museum is divided into several sections like Maharaja Ganga Singh Memorial Local Arts and Crafts History Sculpture, Terracotta and Bronzes, Armory, Miniature Paintings and Folk-Arts, Dr. L.P. Tessitori Memorial Section, Lithoprints of the British interpretation of the war of Independence 1857.The tourist can visit the museum on all days except Friday and gazetted holidays and the timings are from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Bhandaser Jain Temple
The temple is located at 5kms from Bikaner.The foundation of this temple can be traced back to 15th century.It is the oldest and distinct monument of bikaner dedicated to Sumati Nath Ji,the 5th Tirthankar of the Jain Religion.The temple displays rich mirror work, frescoes and gold leaf paintings.The temple was constructed near Laxminath temple in 1540A.D.The temple has been carved out of red sand stone and white marble.
Lakshminath Temple
It is one of the oldest temples of Bikaner. The temple was built by Rao Bikaji in the year 1488 A.D. Being a historical monument the temple holds special identity. This temple was constructed during the reign of Rao Lunkaran.It displays superb archeological skills of artists and artisans of that period .It was later develpoed by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. The countless devotees of God
Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi visit the temple for offering prayers and ceremonies.
Lalgarh Palace & Sadul Museum
The foundation of this palace was laid down by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881-1942 A.D.) in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singhji in 1902 AD.The palace was 
carved out of red sand stone with beautiful latticework and filigree work.The palace displays prawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks.
The exotic palace exhibits magnificent pillars, richly carved fire mantles , Italian colonnades and motif of lotus in full bloom, past vintage etchings, hunting trophies and old portraits.The visitings hours of the palace is from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM.The museum remain close on Sundays.
Bikaner is located on an elevated ground, surrounded by a seven-kilometer-long embattled wall marked by five gates.The oundation of this place was laid down by Rathore prince Rao Bikaji son of Rao Jodhaji of Marwar in 1488 AD.The old part of Bikaner city is surrounded by a stone wall that is 15–30 feet (5–9 m) high and has five gates.Bikaner is now a recognised trade centre and is renowed all over world for trading wool, hides, building stone, salt, grain, Bikaneri woolen shawls, blankets, carpets, sugar candy, ivory and lacquerware handicrafts.