10 Offbeat Things to do in Bikaner India

During my recent trips to Rajasthan, I discovered that the city of Bikaner is an ideal holiday destination. In addition to regular sights I was bowled over by the offbeat things to do in Bikaner. Previously, lack of easy connectivity made it less visible in travel itineraries of Rajasthan.

Now that there are regular flights to Bikaner from Delhi and Jaipur, one can easily add this city to itinerary of Rajasthan tour. Have your Indian visa completed before you go! Both Delhi and Jaipur figure in maps of international flights.

Offbeat Things to do in Bikaner India

Anything from 2 days to 5 days itinerary can be planned well to see Bikaner tourist places. The city caters well to tourists with different interests ranging from art to wildlife. Following are some of the best experiences and offbeat things to do. You can choose among them to suit your plans for touring the city and places to visit.

Junagarh Fort in Bikaner Rajasthan

The modern city of Bikaner has grown around this Junagarh Fort. There are palaces and temples within this fort; they are now preserved as museums. It can easily take 2 hours if not more to walk through the entire fort. But most likely you will end up spending more time due to the little palaces (mahal) inside the fort.

Almost every king went on to make a special room for himself not taking over the one used by his predecessor. And each of the palaces is GRAND!

Junagarh Fort Bikaner

3 Famous Palaces to See in Bikaner Rajasthan

If you love palaces and enjoy seeing the splendor they were surrounded with do visit the three famous palaces of Bikaner Rajasthan.

Gajner Palace, Bikaner – A heritage property, Gajner Palace is a lakeside palace complex with amazing views, in the middle of Thar Desert.

Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner – Built over a century ago by Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner, this Palace has withstood time and harsh desert sun very well. The palatial rooms, exquisite gardens transport to another world.

Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner – This is now a heritage hotel owned and operated by the Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji Trust. I still remember the grand dinner we had here courtesy Narendra Bhawan Bikaner.

Rampuria Haveli to Visit in Bikaner Rajasthan

Traditional destinations are always popular, but if you want to get away from classic itinerary then head for Rampuria and Kothari Haveli (mansions) of older streets of Bikaner. Such intricate work on the facades of these mansions and they date back to early 19^th century. Include the Bikaner old town walking tour in the list of places to visit in Bikaner.

The haveli are mostly reddish in color, not due to paint but due to red sandstone used. Wealthy merchant families built these haveli, a sign of prosperity then. Descendants of the owners of these mansions don’t live here anymore. Most of these mansions are locked up and under watchful eyes of caretakers. Some are inhabited, but due to property share the mansions don’t have that old charm. These mansions are the pride of the old town. No tickets are required to tour this place.

However if you wish to see interiors connect with one of the caretakers there. While you are getting E-visums ready you can connect with folks at Narendra Bhawan Hotel who conduct Experience Bikaner tours.

Rampuria Haveli Old Bikaner

Royal History of Bikaner Rajasthan

Connect with royal history by touring Bikaji ki Tekri where Rao Bikaji the first king of Bikaner established his home. The simplicity of the place and lack of grandeur makes it hard to believe it was the residence of a king. But several inscriptions mention the history of origin of the place, the rulers then and also sati of Rao Bikaji’s wives.

Like every other major city of Rajasthan, this city has special place for cenotaphs of Royal family. Shaped like umbrellas, they cover the resting places of kings and queens of Bikaner. Made of marble some of them have fantastic Rajput paintings on the ceilings in good condition.

Wildlife around Bikaner India

Gajner wildlife sanctuary is 32 km from the city of Bikaner. It is home to wild boars, chinkaras, nilgais, black bucks, antelopes and desert foxes. If you lucky you can sight several of these animals quenching their thirst at the lake in the center of this sanctuary.

Besides this, there is a Jorbeer Vulture Conservation Reserve 11 km from city, which tops the list of offbeat places in Bikaner. It is a carcass dumping site. Vultures and several other kinds of bird feed on the rotting remains of dead animals. If you have this fascination for vultures head to this vulture paradise!

Vultures in Jorbeer Bikaner

National Research Centre on Camel, Bikaner has a camel farm that is worth a visit. If you are travelling with family kids will enjoy the sight of baby camels here. It has become a kind of hot tourist spot there.

Temples to Visit in Bikaner Rajasthan

Bikaner has some of the quirkiest temples of India. Karni Mata Mandir at Deshnok is popular because rats are revered here. The temple is popular as Temple of rats! You will find hundreds of them scurrying around, some eating from the hands of priest and devotees, some drinking milk and some simply resting. If you have no phobia of rats then this Karni Mata Temple is a must visit.

Yet another unique temple is Bhairav Nath Temple in Kodamdesar which has neither walls nor a roof. The sacred idol is placed in a raised marble platform with no shade. Bhairav Nath is an avatar of Lord Shiva.

Distance from Bikaner to Kodamdesar is 34 km.

Bikaner Art to See in Bikaner in Evening

Bikaner is famous for Usta style of art. These are miniature paintings with gold and spaces are filled with meena (brilliantly bright) colors, vice versa too. Artists use various kinds of base material like white marble, camel leather, glass, ceramic, wood. They also do this art on building parts like ceilings, walls, and doors. You can see them Bhandaser Temple.

Pay a visit to miniature artist Mahaveer Swami’s workshop where he conducts classes in batches for interested students. He uses minerals and organic materials in his palette for making his creations. Take prior appointment to see him at his work.

Usta art work Bikaner

Things to Eat in Bikaner Rajasthan

Your tour is complete when you get hungry and taste the local cuisine. Get to the market area and you will get a variety of restaurants, roadside eateries all offering a wide range of mouth watering eats. The most relished food? The food that tops the list of must eat in Bikaner is Raj Kachori, but my favorite is pyaaz ke kachori (flat bread stuffed with sautéed onion).

It is said around 4 lakh kachori are made and consumed every day in this city which has a population of 6.44lakh! Even before the city awakens shopkeepers ready their shop fronts with kachori which is the favorite breakfast of locals.

Pyaz ke Kachori Bikaneri

Sherbet – If you love to carry back food souvenirs then couple of things I suggest are aromatic sherbet from Chunnilal Tanwar’s shop and pickles from Golchha Store. Both are unique and are popular with locals.

The sherbet is based on real flavor extracts of essential oils from all sorts of spices and herbs – mogra (jasmine), clove, saffron, poppy seeds and many more! Each sip is laced with intense aroma and flavor; no chemical added only the extracted essential oils.

Packaging done is very good. For tangy and sweet pickles, head to Golchha Store in Bikaner main market. There are rows of jars with a variety of vegetables pickled. I couldn’t believe when they said they make pickle aloe Vera too till I saw and tasted it.

Ghevar – a circular sweet cake made with refined wheat flour, milk and water, fried in ghee to a golden brown crumbly texture at the edges and soaked in sugar syrup. Those who don’t mind the calories can easily eat three to four in one go.

Bikaneri Bhujia – crunchilicious snack, you can loose track of time while munching on them.

Rasgulla – this I thought was popular in West Bengal and Orissa, but the Bikaneri version of Rasgulla is equally famous and sought after by locals.

Last but not the one that should not be forgotten is the Rajasthani Thali.

Places to Stay in Bikaner Rajasthan

The city has a good range of places to stay for different budgets. There are good affordable cheap hotels in Bikaner. You get rooms on day basis too. Bikaner Narendra Bhawan Hotel is in high end range. It offers themed rooms for a memorable stay experience.

Location and How to Reach Bikaner

Bikaner city is north-central Rajasthan state of India. It lies in the Thar (Great Indian) Desert, 385 km west of Delhi. The city has a airport and there are direct flight from Delhi and also via Jaipur.

Jaipur to Bikaner distance by road is 335 km.
Jodhpur to Bikaner distance by road is 250 km.
Jaisalmer to Bikaner distance by road is 331 km.

FAQS about Travelling Offbeat in Bikaner Rajasthan [Things to Do, Eat, See and Buy]

What is popular in Bikaner?

The Camel Festival, which is not only one of the best things to do in Bikaner but also a truly unique experience, is held every year in January in the city of Bikaner, which is quite well known for being the home of desert camels.

Is it worthwhile to travel to Bikaner?

You won’t be sorry if you add Bikaner to your list, I can assure you of that! Visitors can enjoy the forts, palaces, temples, food, sweets, shopping, as well as the mysteries of the desert, in Bikaner.

When would be the ideal time to visit Bikaner?

The winter season lasts from December to February, and it can occasionally get as cold as 4°C. Between the months of October and March is the ideal time to visit Bikaner.

Does Bikaner offer desert safaris?

The Thar Desert surrounds the Rajasthani city of Bikaner, which is known for its camel safaris and camping in the desert. For tourists and travelers who adore the desert, it’s one of the best cities.

What is the most popular dish in Bikaner?

The state’s signature dish is papad ki sabzi, but the papad of Bikaner is second only to bhujia in popularity, and the Laxmi Niwas Palace knows how to serve it best.

What is Bikaner’s specialty?

Bikaner is famous for both its sweet and savory Bikaneri Bhujia. It is also well-known for its handicrafts, leather products, and Asia’s largest camel farm. The intricately carved jharokas are well-known in the city.

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(This travel blog on offbeat Bikaner Rajasthan was first written on November was first written on November 29th, 2019.)