Discover Bikaner: Temples, Camel Culture and Handicrafts

Bikaner offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: temples and historic architecture, camel culture, handicrafts, and landscapes across the wider district. These themes can help you decide whether Bikaner suits your interests. If you are looking for a hotel in Bikaner, you can begin your choice by considering which aspects of the destination you would most like to explore.

Temples, Facades and Collections

The Shri Laxminath Temple in Bikaner is made of marble and red stone. It was built to house Lord Laxminath, whose throne is located there. The temple thus brings together its choice of materials and its religious function. For travellers interested in sacred architecture, both offer different perspectives on the same building.

Another example is the Bhandasar Jain Temple in Bikaner. The temple dates from the 15th century and is dedicated to Sumatinathji, the fifth Tirthankar. Mirror work, murals and gold-leaf paintings shape its interior. Compared with the Shri Laxminath Temple, its intricate details and specific dedication are also central here.

The Rampuria Group of Havelis in Bikaner presents a different architectural aspect: the havelis are made of red Dulmera sandstone and feature jharokhas, latticed windows and elaborate gold work. Their design also has a marked Victorian influence. Those comparing buildings will find different materials and design features here than at the temples.

The collection at the Prachina Museum in Junagarh Fort displays royal clothing, textiles and accessories from Rajasthan’s royal families. The museum thus complements the buildings with a look at clothing and textile objects. The temples, havelis and museum collections offer a range of themes for a culture-focused trip to Bikaner.

Camel Culture and Handicrafts

The Bikaner Camel Festival is an annual celebration in honour of camels. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific dates before making arrangements. The National Research Centre on Camel has a different focus: this camel research and breeding centre is located near Bikaner, around eight kilometres from the city. An annual festival and the work of a research and breeding centre thus represent different aspects of camel culture.

Handicrafts are also part of Bikaner’s profile. Items available include Bikaner-style mojaris, Kundan work, wooden antiques, lacquer bangles and carpets. Bikaner is also known for handicrafts made from camel hide. This selection includes textiles and jewellery as well as objects made from wood and camel hide. If you are interested in local crafts, these specific product groups offer things to look out for as you explore the destination.

Landscapes and Other Places in Bikaner District

Bikaner lies in the Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert. Sand dunes are widespread in Bikaner District, particularly from the northeast to the southern area. The city and district therefore offer different landscape perspectives: the desert provides the geographical setting, while the described distribution of dunes applies to the district.

Gajner Palace is also located in the district. This lakeside palace complex was built by HH Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh of Bikaner. Its architecture combines elements from Rajasthan, the Jain tradition, the Mughal era and Europe. These different influences make the palace another architectural point of interest in the regional context.

Visitors can go on wildlife safaris in Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. Possible sightings include blackbucks, chinkaras, nilgai and various bird species. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. The sanctuary thus offers a focus on nature and wildlife observation, distinct from the temples, collections and architectural themes.

Kolayat Lake is in the town of Kolayat and is a historic and religious site. According to tradition, the sage Kapil Muni meditated at this place in ancient times. The Kapil Muni Fair takes place near the lake every year on Kartik Purnima, with cultural performances and displays of local art and crafts. Since the date follows the religious calendar, check the fair dates if you would like to plan your trip around it.

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

Go to the main travel overview: Bikaner.