Bikaner: Temple Art, Havelis and Desert Landscapes

Gold leaf paintings, mirror work and murals define the Bhandasar Jain Temple in Bikaner. The temple dates back to the 15th century and is dedicated to Sumatinathji, the fifth Tirthankar. Along with havelis, camel traditions and desert landscapes, Bikaner offers a range of themes for a trip.

Temples, Havelis and Collections

The Shri Laxminath Temple also combines a religious dedication with distinctive materials: it is made of marble and red stone and was built to house Lord Laxminath, whose throne is located there. The temples offer different points of interest: at Bhandasar Jain Temple, the mirror work, murals and gold leaf paintings stand out, while at Shri Laxminath Temple, the materials and religious function are the focus.

The Rampuria Group of Havelis reveals another facet of architectural craftsmanship. The havelis are built of red Dulmera sandstone and feature jharokhas, latticed windows and elaborate gold work. Their design also has a distinct Victorian influence. Alongside the religious buildings, then, are havelis with their own combination of sandstone, decorative details and Victorian influences.

At Junagarh Fort, the Prachina Museum displays royal clothing, textiles and accessories belonging to the royal families of Rajasthan. The collection draws attention to clothing and textile objects—a different focus from the architecture of the temples and havelis.

The Gajner Palace, a lakeside palace complex built by HH Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh of Bikaner, is also located in Bikaner district. Its architecture combines elements from Rajasthan, the Jain tradition, the Mughal era and Europe. The building offers another architectural point of reference in the district without being limited to any one of these influences.

Camels, Festivals and Religious Traditions

The Bikaner Camel Festival is an annual celebration in honour of camels; exact dates vary. The National Camel Research Centre in Bikaner has a different focus: it was established in 1984 by the Indian central government and is dedicated to research, protection and the promotion of the camel. The camel thus features in two different contexts—as the focus of an annual festival and as a subject of research at an institute.

The Kapil Muni Fair also follows a fixed religious date: it takes place every year on Kartik Purnima near Kolayat Lake. The programme includes cultural performances as well as presentations of local arts and crafts; the date follows the religious calendar. The lake is in the town of Kolayat and is a historical and religious site. Its religious association is attributed to the sage Kapil Muni, who, according to tradition, meditated here in ancient times.

Desert Landscapes and Wildlife Watching

Bikaner lies in the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. Sand dunes are widespread in the district, particularly from the northeast to the southern area. The desert setting refers to Bikaner, while the distribution of the dunes describes the landscape across the wider district.

Visitors can go on wildlife safaris in the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary in Bikaner district. They may see blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai and various bird species. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed, so wildlife watching is a possible focus, not a guaranteed outcome of a safari.

Jorbeed is another point of interest for birdwatching in the surrounding area: it is about 12 km from Bikaner City and is known for steppe eagles, griffon vultures and Egyptian vultures. By contrast, the species list for Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary includes several antelope species as well as birds. The two places therefore offer different wildlife-watching experiences.

Discover more destinations: Norangdesar, Udasar, Chaukunti Mohalla, Bikaner, Khodala, Lunkaransar, Sikar, Jhunjhunun.

For the broader travel overview: Rajasthan.