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Best things to do on your next visit to Bikaner


Rajasthan is home to several magnificent cities, each telling a story about its imperial lineage and genealogy.On a recent trip to Rajasthan, I visited some of these cities, one of which was Bikaner in the North West Rajasthan, famous for its gourmet cuisine (Namkeens), fortresses, lavishly decorated Havelis and regal heritage. The winding streets of Bikaners, the highly decorative street facades and the legend surrounding Rao Bika (who founded it in AD 1488) stand out in the background. However, since its humble origins, Bikaner has grown to become the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. Descendants of the royal family still live in suites at the Larga Palace in the walled city of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.

Wealthy merchant elites founded Bikaner in the 15th century and built lavishly designed courtyard homes that form the city’s historic core. Note Bikaner’s myriad red sandstone buildings with elaborately carved facades in Rajput, Mughal and English frames, including Jaalis, Chajjas and jharokhas. The adjacent 1594 AD Junagarh Fort (Chintamani) built by Raja Rai Singh is a microcosm of Bikaner’s history on the site of the 1478 fort (Bikaji Ki Tekri) before Rao Bikaji, which is now in ruins.

Bikaner Veidehi Gite

The fort area is dotted with temples, palaces, pavilions and fortifications, and its temples and courts act as museums, providing a window into the lavish lifestyle of the former Maharajas of Rajasthan. I decided to use my day in the royal city of Bikaner to experience all its unusual interests, whether staying at the Royal Palace or tasting local flavours at local establishments. If you stick to my itinerary, you can also enjoy the stunning views of Bikaner.

Living at Laxmi Niwas Palace

Maharajah Ganga Singh’s residence, Laxmi Niwas Palace, was designed by British architect Samuel Swinton Jacob in 1902, while maintaining Indo-Saracen architecture as the predominant style. I plan to stay here to enjoy all the splendor of the city as the palace is now a luxury heritage hotel owned by the royal family of Bikaner.

Laximinivas Palace Bikaner

The magnificent Laxmi Niwas Palace brings scenes from the movie Khoobsurat to life. Those arches, the old grandfather hour clock, the horse races across the sprawling lawn, and the sweet romance between Fawad Khan and Sonam Kapoor. Every element of this palace is a tribute to an era we are all eager to relive, and I am here today to get up close and personal with members of the royal family.

LNP accommodation

Laxminivas Palace is a dream! I got here in the early evening, when the courtyard was brought to life by folk singers, classic Indian ghazals, kalbelian performers and jugglers. If you’re ready to hum and dance along, the artists won’t mind teaching you a line or a few steps.

On the second floor, the huge deluxe room I stayed the night included a large bathroom with bathtub, extra seating, intricately carved ceilings and antique furniture, including a teak bed. Most of the rooms are furnished with nearly a century old furniture and the original layout is still intact. They all have views of the Largar estate.

Billiard room

I wandered down the lonely hallway into several rooms that were open at the time, dinner was ready and bell jars were placed on the buffet table. This luxury hotel is certainly for those looking for a taste of royal living. Take the billiard room as an example, there are several tiger and lion skins on the wall.

I may not have counted them, but I believe there are at least 14. All swords and other armouries that may be used during the hunt are kept in the cabinet on the right. In this room, billiards takes on a new meaning, but Laxmi Niwas Palace also has other sports facilities such as tennis courts, cricket courts and indoor quads.

patio dining

The restaurant at Laxmi Niwas Palace offers Marwari thalis and colonial-style cuisine. Laal Maas cooked with Gulmohar flowers is very popular. However, I also love Ravri Ghewar, Marwari Gatta Pulao and Paneer Mathiana here.

Try lunch at Swarna Mahal, which serves exquisite traditional Rajasthani thali and other regional delicacies. This is not a civilian restaurant! The walls of this restaurant are steady tempera paintings of hunting scenes, while the old Burmese teak paneled roof is filled with Usta art.

bar

The bar is also decorated with carefully selected Royal Hunting Trophies. The massive heads of a rhino and a Nepalese bison face off above a separate mahogany beam that serves as a bar. A pair of lionesses, royal Bengal cats, deer, tigers and a few spooky coyotes are displayed on the wall, along with a majestic leopard in a glass case. The next morning I realized why I should stay here for at least three nights.

Terrace and swimming pool of Laxmi Niwas Palace

Laxmi Niwas Palace offers a wealth of attractions for you to see, starting with the view of the Lalgarh estate from the terrace. Your eyes will be drawn to the pink building, which is mostly sunbathing chatter among lush greenery. The Terrace Granite was built a century ago and is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The entrance to the pool has a club-like vibe compared to the crystal clear water of the Governor’s post-dinner workout. The 52-color palette on the tiles was imported from Italy and remains fragile and clear after 124 summers.

Gulab and Rajat Mahal

But the Gulab Taj Mahal is what really won my heart. This was the designated meeting room during the reign of His Highness Ganga Singh Ji. Along the marble walls, the walls of the usta bear a lotus pattern. The ceiling is supported by four columns that were once part of the walls, rising in arcs, each with a deity carved into the base to aid in decision-making. At the back of the space, a private dining room doubles as a meeting space and dining area. The beautiful teak wainscoting of the grille fireplace still looks beautiful today. Rajat Mahal, who used to be the royal smoking room, also caught my eye.

The original frieze of the Rajat Mahal reading room depicts angels, Raghinis and gods hovering in a dramatic weather scene. Rajat Mahal is a remarkable area with Usta artwork, red and gold teak ceilings, and marble fireplaces with golden enamel, showcasing over 18kg of gold. My Laxmi Niwas Palace tour ended, and I took pictures in the lobby, decorated with etched glass from Belgium, and the porch, carved from 46 tons of sandstone and lined vertically with flowering vines and four-story orchids.

Laxmi Niwas Palace is a stunning showcase of structural innovation, demonstrating its importance in the royal heritage. The spectacular display will last a lifetime in your memory.

Chhotu Motu Joshi & Chunnilal Sharbat Wala

Chotu Motu JoshiMore

The savory snack Bikaneri Bhujia (with a GI label to preserve its originality) is what makes Bikaner so famous. Bajre ki Roti, Dal Baati Churma, Ghevar, Halvas, Papadum, Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Kachori and Samosa are some of the other unique foods that Bikaner is famous for.

chunilal tanwar shabat

However, of course, Bela and White rose Sharbat at Chunnilal Sharbat Wala is a must try for a truly authentic Bikaner experience after an uncontrolled breakfast of poori-kachori-jalebi at Chhotu Motu Joshi.

Shopping at the local market

Visit Bada Bazaar at Old Bikaner for bracelets and Kundan jewellery, Khajanchi Market for sarees with leheriya prints, and Laxminath Market for handicrafts. The leather, saris and textiles of desert-surrounded Bikaner are its most famous exports. If you are only looking for fabrics, the best place to go is Labhuji Ka Katla at Kote Gate, where you can also find embroidered juttis and wooden handicrafts. Mahatma Gandhi Road is a great place.

Visit nearby places

Apart from the Havelis and palaces, Bikaner also has many temples. Karni Mata Rat Temple in Deshnoke, about 30 kilometers from Bikaner, is one of the most famous temples in the area. It is dedicated to the goddess Karni Mata and is believed to be the incarnation of Durga. Residents will be keen to clarify that the critters scurrying around the temple are not rats, but the Kaaba.

According to popular belief, the human reincarnations of the Kaaba were formerly followers of Karni Mata, who saw their devotion as aggrieved by the shortness of life. Other notable temples are Mukti Dham Mukam (revered by Bishnois), Bhandasar Jain Temple (famous for its fine frescoes, leaf paintings and ornate mirror works) and Shri Laxminath Temple, the most beautiful Bikaner built by Maharaja Rao Lunkaran One of the old buildings.





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