Bikaner

The name "Bikaner" is a combination of two elements: "Bika", derived from the city's founder, Rao Bika and "Ner", which is believed to mean "place" or "city" in the local Rajasthani language. Hence, "Bikaner" translates to "the city of Bika".{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

file:Bikaner coat of arms.jpg

File:Ganga Singh c1930.jpg

{{Further|History of Bikaner}}

Prior to the mid 15th century, the region that is now Bikaner was a barren wilderness called Jangladesh.{{cite book |last1=TL |first1=Prabhu |title=Majestic Monuments of India: Ancient Indian Mega Structures |date=4 August 2019 |publisher=Nestfame Creations Pvt. Ltd. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7CenDwAAQBAJ&dq=Bikaner+Jangladesh&pg=PT191}}{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia Indica: Princely States in colonial India |date=1996 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-859-7 |pages=206, 207 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K_YvAQAAIAAJ&q=Bikaner+Jangladesh |language=en}}

Rao Bika established the city of Bikaner in 1488. He was the first son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathore clan, the founder of Jodhpur and conquered the largely arid country in the north of Rajasthan. As the first son of Jodha he wanted to have his own kingdom, not inheriting Jodhpur from his father or the title of Maharaja. He therefore decided to build his own kingdom in what is now the state of Bikaner, in the area of Jangladesh. Though it was in the Thar Desert, Bikaner was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast as it had adequate spring water. Bika's name was attached to the city he built and to the state of Bikaner ("the settlement of Bika") that he established. Bika built a fort in 1478, which is now in ruins, and a hundred years later a new fort was built about 1.5 km from the city centre, known as the Junagarh Fort.{{Cite book|last=Ring|first=Trudy|author2=Robert M. Salkin|author3=Sharon La Boda|title= International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia and Oceania|work=Bikaner|page= 129|access-date=7 December 2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vWLRxJEU49EC&q=Junagarh+Fort&pg=PA132|publisher= Taylor & Francis|year=1996|isbn=1-884964-04-4}}{{Cite book|last=Ward|first=Philip|title= Northern India, Rajasthan, Agra, Delhi: a travel guide|work=Junagarh Fort|pages=116–119|access-date=7 December 2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KubCD2jHjEsC&q=Junagarh+Fort&pg=PA116|publisher= Pelican Publishing Company|year= 1989|isbn=0-88289-753-5}}{{cite web|url=http://bikaner.nic.in/matter_historyn.htm |title=History |access-date=7 December 2009 |publisher=National Informatics centre, Bikaner district |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212013613/http://bikaner.nic.in/matter_historyn.htm |archive-date=12 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}

Around a century after Rao Bika founded Bikaner, the state's fortunes flourished under the sixth Raja, Rai Singhji, who ruled from 1571 to 1611. During the Mughal Empire's rule in the country, Raja Rai Singh accepted the suzerainty of the Mughals and held a high rank as an army general at the court of the Emperor Akbar and his son, the Emperor Jahangir. Rai Singh's successful military exploits, which involved winning half of Mewar kingdom for the Empire, won him accolades and rewards from the Mughal emperors. He was given the jagirs (lands) of Gujarat and Burhanpur. With the large revenue earned from these jagirs, he built the Chintamani Durg (Junagarh fort) on a plain that has an average elevation of {{convert|760|ft|m}}. He was an expert in arts and architecture, and the knowledge he acquired during his visits abroad is amply reflected in the numerous monuments he built at the Junagarh fort.{{cite web|url=http://www.realbikaner.com/palace/junagarh/index.html|title=Junagarh Fort, Bikaner|access-date=7 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416053153/http://www.realbikaner.com/palace/junagarh/index.html|archive-date=16 April 2009}}

Maharaja Karan Singh, who ruled from 1631 to 1639, under the suzerainty of the Mughals, built the Karan Mahal palace. Later rulers added more floors and decorations to this Mahal. Anup Singh, who ruled from 1669 to 1698, made substantial additions to the fort complex, including new palaces and the Zenana quarter, a royal dwelling for women and children. He refurbished the Karan Mahal with a Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall) and called it the Anup Mahal. Maharaja Gaj Singh, who ruled from 1746 to 1787 refurbished the Chandra Mahal (the Moon Palace).

During the 18th century, there was an internecine war between the rulers of Bikaner and Jodhpur and also among other thakurs, which was put down by British troops.

Following Maharaja Gaj Singh, Maharaja Surat Singh ruled from 1787 to 1828 and lavishly decorated the audience hall (see illustration) with glass and lively paintwork. Under a treaty of paramountcy signed in 1818, during Maharaja Surat Singh's reign, Bikaner came under the suzerainty of the British, after which the Maharajas of Bikaner invested heavily in refurbishing Junagarh fort.Ring p.133

{{multiple image

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| image1 = Lalgarh palace bikaner.jpg

| width1 = 230

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| caption1 =

| image2 = Imperialwarcabinet-bordonhu.jpg

| width2 = 200

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| footer = Left: Lalgarh Palace, built (Indo-Saracenic style) for Maharaja Ganga Singh and named after his father, presently a heritage hotel and also a residence of the Bikaner Royal Family. Right: Ganga Singh as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet at No. 10 Downing Street, 1917.

}}

Dungar Singh, who reigned from 1872 to 1887, built the Badal Mahal, the 'weather palace', so named in view of a painting of clouds and falling rain, a rare event in arid Bikaner.

General Maharaja Ganga Singh, who ruled from 1887 to 1943, was the best-known of the Rajasthan princes and was a favourite of the British Viceroys of India. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, served as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet, represented India at the Imperial Conferences during the First World War and the British Empire at the Versailles Peace Conference. His contribution to the building activity in Junagarh involved separate halls for public and private audiences in the Ganga Mahal and a durbar hall for formal functions. He also built the Ganga Niwas Palace, which has towers at the entrance patio. This palace was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, the third of the new palaces built in Bikaner. He named the building Lalgarh Palace in honour of his father, and moved his main residence there from Junagarh Fort in 1902. The hall where he held his Golden Jubilee (in 1938) as Bikaner's ruler is now a museum.Ring p.132

Ganga Singh's son, Lieutenant-General Sir Sadul Singh, the Yuvaraja of Bikaner, succeeded his father as Maharaja in 1943, but acceded his state to the Union of India in 1949. Maharaja Sadul Singh died in 1950, being succeeded in the title by his son, Karni Singh (1924–1988). The Royal Family still lives in a suite in Lalgarh Palace, which they have converted into a heritage hotel.

File:Sand dunes of thar desert.jpg.]]

Bikaner is situated in the middle of the Thar desert and has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), with very infrequent monsoonal rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer temperatures can exceed {{convert|48|°C|1|disp=or}}, and during the winter they may dip below freezing.

The climate in Bikaner is characterised by significant variations in temperature. In the summer season it is very hot when the temperatures lie in the range of {{convert|28|-|53.5|C|F}}. In the winter, it is fairly cold with temperatures lying in the range of {{convert|-4|-|23.2|C|F}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.rajasthaninfo.org/bikaner.htm|title= Bikaner|access-date=9 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100109051350/http://www.rajasthaninfo.org/bikaner.htm| archive-date= 9 January 2010 | url-status= live}} Annual rainfall is around {{convert|290|mm|in|1|disp=or}}, but occurs on a handful of days and even in these rain falls for an average total of fewer than thirty hours each year.See {{cite conference|url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=cdc5c3167c382a3b347037edc2098f4c95f20834|title=Political Economy of Rainwater Harvesting in India: Reflections in Central and Regional Law and Policy|last=Vani|first=M.S.|publisher=Development Centre for Alternative Policies|location=New Delhi, India|date=November 2005|conference=XII International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference}} Rainfall is also confined almost entirely to the monsoon from June to September and is extremely variable from year to year: only {{convert|29|mm|in|2|disp=or}} fell in 1899, but as much as {{convert|770.9|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1945. The highest ever temperature recorded is {{convert|49.5|C|F|}} on 19 May 2016 and lowest ever recorded is {{convert|-4.0|C|F|}} on 26 January 1964.

{{Weather box

| location = Bikaner (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| width = auto

| Jan record high C = 32.9

| Feb record high C = 37.2

| Mar record high C = 42.8

| Apr record high C = 47.2

| May record high C = 49.4

| Jun record high C = 48.9

| Jul record high C = 47.8

| Aug record high C = 43.4

| Sep record high C = 43.9

| Oct record high C = 42.2

| Nov record high C = 38.5

| Dec record high C = 33.8

| year record high C = 49.4

| Jan high C = 23.1

| Feb high C = 26.9

| Mar high C = 32.8

| Apr high C = 38.5

| May high C = 42.2

| Jun high C = 41.7

| Jul high C = 38.8

| Aug high C = 37.2

| Sep high C = 37.3

| Oct high C = 36.2

| Nov high C = 31.2

| Dec high C = 26.0

| year high C = 34.3

|Jan mean C = 15.4

|Feb mean C = 19.3

|Mar mean C = 25.2

|Apr mean C = 31.0

|May mean C = 35.1

|Jun mean C = 35.6

|Jul mean C = 33.8

|Aug mean C = 32.1

|Sep mean C = 31.5

|Oct mean C = 28.6

|Nov mean C = 22.7

|Dec mean C = 17.3

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 7.7

| Feb low C = 11.6

| Mar low C = 17.4

| Apr low C = 23.1

| May low C = 27.7

| Jun low C = 29.4

| Jul low C = 28.5

| Aug low C = 27.2

| Sep low C = 25.6

| Oct low C = 20.8

| Nov low C = 14.4

| Dec low C = 9.2

| year low C = 20.3

| Jan record low C = -4.0

| Feb record low C = −2.5

| Mar record low C = -0.6

| Apr record low C = 8.3

| May record low C = 13.7

| Jun record low C = 17.8

| Jul record low C = 20.5

| Aug record low C = 20.6

| Sep record low C = 16.5

| Oct record low C = 7.6

| Nov record low C = 0.6

| Dec record low C = -2.8

| year record low C = -4.0

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 4.9

| Feb rain mm = 7.7

| Mar rain mm = 8.0

| Apr rain mm = 7.9

| May rain mm = 23.7

| Jun rain mm = 36.9

| Jul rain mm = 90.5

| Aug rain mm = 56.9

| Sep rain mm = 32.2

| Oct rain mm = 13.1

| Nov rain mm = 1.2

| Dec rain mm = 2.9

| year rain mm = 285.9

| Jan rain days = 0.5

| Feb rain days = 0.9

| Mar rain days = 0.8

| Apr rain days = 1.2

| May rain days = 1.6

| Jun rain days = 2.6

| Jul rain days = 4.5

| Aug rain days = 3.6

| Sep rain days = 2.0

| Oct rain days = 0.6

| Nov rain days = 0.2

| Dec rain days = 0.3

| year rain days = 18.8

| time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 35

| Feb humidity = 27

| Mar humidity = 20

| Apr humidity = 16

| May humidity = 17

| Jun humidity = 28

| Jul humidity = 45

| Aug humidity = 48

| Sep humidity = 40

| Oct humidity = 27

| Nov humidity = 31

| Dec humidity = 36

| year humidity = 31

| Jan uv = 5

| Feb uv = 6

| Mar uv = 7

| Apr uv = 9

| May uv = 9

| Jun uv = 9

| Jul uv = 8

| Aug uv = 8

| Sep uv = 8

| Oct uv = 7

| Nov uv = 6

| Dec uv = 4

| source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web |url=https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101061732/https://www.imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf |archive-date=1 January 2023 |title=Climatological Tables 1991–2020 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=1 January 2023 |page=21}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M176

| access-date = 20 January 2021}} Time and Date (dewpoints, 2005-2015){{cite web

|url =https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/india/bikaner/climate

|title = Climate & Weather Averages in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

|publisher = Time and Date

|access-date = 20 July 2022}}

|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)

{{cite web

| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42165

| title = Normals Data: Bikaner – India Latitude: 28.00°N Longitude: 73.30°E Height: 223 (m)

| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency

| access-date = 1 December 2022}} Weather Atlas

{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/bikaner-climate

| title = Climate and monthly weather forecast Bikaner, India

| publisher = Weather Atlas

| access-date = 13 June 2022

}}

| source =

| Jan dew point C = 3

| Feb dew point C = 5

| Mar dew point C = 7

| Apr dew point C = 9

| May dew point C = 13

| Jun dew point C = 19

| Jul dew point C = 23

| Aug dew point C = 23

| Sep dew point C = 20

| Oct dew point C = 12

| Nov dew point C = 8

| Dec dew point C = 5

}}

{{Historical population

| align = center

| source = {{Cite web|url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|title=INDIA : urban population|website=www.populstat.info|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053707/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|archive-date=17 February 2013|url-status=dead}}

| 1891 | 56300

| 1901 | 53100

| 1911 | 55800

| 1921 | 69400

| 1931 | 85900

| 1941 | 127200

| 1951 | 117100

| 1961 | 150600

| 1968 | 186600

| 1971 | 208900

| 1981 | 280400

| 1991 | 416300

| 2001 | 529690

| 2011 | 644406

}}

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Bikaner City (2011){{cite web |title=Table C-01 Population By Religion - Rajasthan|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11390/download/14503/DDW08C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=census.gov.in|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|78.67}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|17.27}}

{{bar percent|Jainism|pink|2.97}}

{{bar percent|Sikhism|darkkhaki|0.73}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.36}}

}}

{{As of|2011|alt=As of the 2011 Census of India}} the population of Bikaner city was 644,406 placing it in the top 70 major cities of India and 5th in Rajasthan. The female to male ratio in the city was 904/1,000. The literacy rate in the city was about 79%, male literacy being 87% and female literacy being 71%.{{cite web|title=Bikaner City Population Census 2011|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/66-bikaner.html|website=www.census2011.co.in|publisher=Government of India}}

The majority of the population of the city follows Hinduism, with followers of Islam a large minority. The city has a substantial followers of Jainism.{{cite web |title=C-01: Population by religious community - Sri Ganganagar district |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11390/download/14503/DDW08C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |access-date=15 June 2022}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Bikaner (2011)

|label1 = Rajasthani |value1 = 66.46 |color1 = firebrick

|label2 = Hindi |value2 = 22.01 |color2 = orange

|label3 = Marwari |value3 = 6.44 |color3 = maroon

|label4 = Urdu |value4 = 1.94 |color4 = green

|label5 = Punjabi |value5 = 1.26 |color5 = pink

|label6 = Others |value6 = 1.89 |color6 = grey

|thumb=left

}}

Rajasthani is the major language spoken here, while Hindi is the language of the educated. Small communities of Punjabi speakers also live here.{{Cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10234/download/13346/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-0800.XLSX |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue (Urban): Rajasthan |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

Bikaner railway station is a major railway junction in the North Western Railway zone of Indian Railways. The first railway link to Bikaner was established on 9 December 1891 as part of Jodhpur State Railway{{cite web |title=Overview Of Bikaner Division |url=https://nwr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1436959747628-An%20Overview%20of%20Bikaner%20Division%20update%20on%20June%202015.pdf |website=nwr.indianrailways.gov.in |access-date=25 December 2020}} and it has undergone many administrative modifications since then.

Today Bikaner Railway Station is efficiently well connected to National Capital Delhi and Rajasthan State's capital Jaipur along with major Indian cities.

Bikaner is well served with roads and is linked directly to Delhi and other major cities.

Central Bus Stand is the main bus station in Bikaner. It connects Bikaner to other cities in Rajasthan and nearby states via road.

Bikaner has Domestic Civil Airport Nal Airport which is located 15 km west of the city. Regular flights to Jaipur JAI and Delhi DEL commenced in 2017-18 under UDAN scheme of Narendra Modi Govt.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/additional-scheduled-flights-likely-to-bikaner/articleshow/60861397.cms|title=Flights to Bikaner |work=The Times of India|access-date=28 September 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2017/sep/26/delhi-bikaner-direct-flight-launched-1663115.html|title=Delhi-Bikaner direct flight launched|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=15 March 2018}}

The city is famous for its savoury snack Bikaneri bhujia{{cite web |title=Bikaji Foods: Taking the Taste of Bikaner Global |url=http://www.forbesindia.com/article/hidden-gems/bikaji-foods-taking-the-taste-of-bikaner-global/38228/1 |website=Forbes India |access-date=28 December 2018 |language=en}} and also have geographical indication (GI) tag{{cite journal |last1=Journal |first1=Geographical Indication |title=Intellectual Property of India |website=www.ipindia.nic.in |date=15 July 2015 |issue=68 |page=13 |url=http://www.ipindia.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/IPOJournal/1_74_1/gi-journal-68.pdf |access-date=28 December 2018}} to keep its originality intact.{{cite news |last1=Daftuar |first1=Swati |title=In search of Bikaneri Bhujia |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Food/in-search-of-bikaneri-bhujia/article3945487.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=28 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=29 September 2012}} Other special food items for which Bikaner is well known are Bajre ki Roti (Chapati made up of Pearl millet flour), Dal baati Churma, Ghevar, Halvas, Papads/Papadum, Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Kachori and Samosa.{{cite web |last1=Desk |first1=NewsGram |title=Exploring the Rajasthani Cuisine |url=https://www.newsgram.com/exploring-rajasthani-cuisine |website=NewsGram |access-date=28 December 2018 |date=11 July 2018 |archive-date=27 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927122906/https://www.newsgram.com/exploring-rajasthani-cuisine/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=The Rich delicacies of Rajasthan |url=https://aajtak.intoday.in/story/rajasthan-marwari-jaipur-albert-hall-complex-moinuddin-chishti-1-1046835.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=aajtak.intoday.in |agency=India Today |date=14 December 2018 |language=hi}}{{cite news |title=Congress Prez Rahul Gandhi tastes Bikaneri Sweets |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/rajasthan/bikaner/news/rahul39s-local-connection-in-the-bole-raphael-deal-if-the-3000-crore-of-bhujiya-rasgulla-industry-was-scam-then-the-city-would-become-self-reliant-034159-2949499.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |date=11 October 2018 |language=hi}}

Haldiram's, a multinational snacks and sweets company was founded by Ganga Bishan Agarwal of Bikaner. The Agarwal family also own other brands like Bikaji, Bikanervala, Bikano and Prabhuji.{{Cite news |title=The Agarwals of Haldiram Bhujia: A family's journey through legacy, property dispute, net worth, and more |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-the-agarwals-of-haldiram-bhujia-a-familys-journey-through-legacy-property-dispute-net-worth-and-more-3370420/ |work=Financial Express |date=6 February 2024 |access-date=10 September 2024}}

File:Bikaner fort view 08.jpg]]

The Junagarh Fort was built around 1594 CE by Raja Rai Singh. The fort was originally called Chintamani. It is one of the few major forts in Rajasthan which was not built on hilly terrain. The modern city of Bikaner has developed around the fort. The fort is studded with temples, grand palaces and huge pavilions and walls. In 1961, a museum was set up by Maharaja Karni Singh.{{cite news |last1=Chowdhary |first1=Charu |title=Don't miss visiting Junagarh Fort in Bikaner |url=https://www.india.com/news-travel/junagarh-fort-standing-in-its-regal-glory-is-the-epitome-of-architectural-brilliance-3455310/ |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=India.com |date=1 December 2018 |language=en}} Its temples and palaces are preserved as museums and provide insight into the grandiose living style of the past Maharanas of Rajasthan.

File:The Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner, Rajasthan.jpg]]

The Laxmi Niwas Palace is a former residential palace built by Maharajah Ganga Singh, the ruler of the former state of Bikaner. It was designed by the British architect, Samuel Swinton Jacob in the year 1902. The style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic. It is now a luxury Heritage hotel owned by the royal family of Bikaner.

Malasar is a famous camel festival site near Malasar Village. It is about 30 km from Bikaner.{{cite web |last1=Ladera |first1=Camel Festival Ladera |title=Bikaner Camel Festival 2024: Your Guide to the Ultimate Desert Extravaganza |url=https://www.clubmahindra.com/blog/experience/bikaner-camel-festival |website=www.clubmahindra.com |publisher=Club Mahindra |access-date=29 February 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=International Camel Festival |first1=Ladera, Malasar |title=International Camel Festival in Bikaner |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bangladesh-myanmar-brace-up-for-cyclone-mahasen/international-camel-festival-in-bikaner/photostory/18235432.cms |work=the Times of India |access-date=29 February 2024 |language=en |date=29 January 2013}}

{{cite web |last1=Ladera Mela Ground |first1=Camel Festival Ladera |title=Village Ladera Mela Ground {{!}} Camel Festival |url=https://camelfestival.com/tag/village-ladera-mela-ground/ |website=www.camelfestival.com |publisher=Camel Festival |access-date=29 February 2024}}Sharma, K. K., S. Kulshreshtha, A. R. Rahmani (2013). Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India: General Background and Ecology of Vertebrates. Springer Science & Business Media, New York.

Rao Bikaji's first fort, 'Bikaji Ki Tekri' built in 1478 is now in ruins. A hundred years later a new fort was built about 1.5 km from the city centre, named Junagarh Fort.

{{main|Karni Mata Temple}}

File:Courtyard in the Temple of Karni Mata at Deshnoke.png of Deshnoke (Bikaner)]]

The Karni Mata (करणी माता) Temple or the Rat Temple of Rajasthan is situated around 30 km away from the Bikaner city and is dedicated to goddess Karni Mata, a famous mystic of her times, believed to be an incarnation of goddess Durga. The locals will be quick to point out that the creatures running around in the temple are not rats, they are kaaba. Kaabas are believed to be reincarnations of humans who had been devotees of Karni Mata, and the brevity of human life did not sufficiently satisfy their devotion.

The shrine of Karni Mata can be found in the town of Deshnoke 30 km south from Bikaner on the road to Jodhpur. Karni Mata is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

The Mukam Temple, also known as Mukti Dham Mukam, is located near Nokha. The Mukam is a holy place of 29 rules of followers of Bishnois. Bishnoi sect was founded by Guru Jambeshwar. Bishnois are very protective of nature. Mukam Mukti Dham is a Bishnoi temple built over his samadhi.

K. S. Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, 1994, [https://books.google.com/books?id=qUZuAAAAMAAJ&q=mukam,+bishnoi Haryana], Page 97.

Built by Maharaja Rao Lunkaran, Shri Laxminath Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bikaner and 4 kilometres from Junagarh Fort. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. The artwork inside the temple apart from the shrines is the doorway which is embellished in silver work. Festivals like Janmashtmi, Nirjala Ekadashi, Rama Navami, Diwali and Gita Jayanti are majorly celebrated at the temple.{{cite web|title=Laxminath temple|url=https://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/bikaner/shri-laxminath-temple-religious.html|access-date=11 May 2018|archive-date=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701032159/https://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/bikaner/shri-laxminath-temple-religious.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Bhandasar Jain Temple Bikaner DSC 1077.jpg

Bhandasar Jain Temple is known for its beautiful leaf paintings, frescoes and ornamented mirror work. This temple was constructed by Bhandasa Oswal in the 15th century. This temple is constructed using red sandstone with paintings on walls and pillars of the sanctum and mandapa. The temple is dedicated to the 5th Tirthankara sumatinatha. The temple consist of garbhagriha, antarala, mahamandapa and ardhamandapa.{{Cite web|url=http://asijaipurcircle.nic.in/Bhandasar%20jain%20temple.html|title=BHANDASAR JAIN TEMPLE | ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA JAIPUR CIRCLE|access-date=9 January 2020}}

A variety of birds, mammals and reptiles live in Bikaner's semi-arid climate. Initiatives are being taken to bring back the number of vultures which have dwindled. There are around 600 resident vultures at Jorbeer. The region is host to another 1,200 migratory vultures. Local varieties include Egyptian and King Vultures. The most common migratory vulture is Eurasian Griffon coming from Spain and Turkey. Other migratory vultures include Cinereous and Himalayan Griffons.{{cite news |title=Vultures find abode in Bikaner |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Vultures-find-abode-in-Bikaner/articleshow/3943964.cms |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=7 January 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Prasad |first1=R. |title=Antibiotic resistance: vultures wintering in India show pattern |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/antibiotic-resistance-vultures-wintering-in-india-show-pattern/article23264272.ece |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=15 March 2018 |language=en-IN}}

Saw-scaled Viper is also native to Bikaner.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=N. Shiva |title=Charming serpents to safety |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-interior/seducing-serpents-in-the-desert/article24059922.ece |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=Business Line |date=1 June 2018 |language=en}}

Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary is located 32 km west of the Bikaner.

File:Jumping Marwari Stallion -Rihtik.jpg]]

{{main|National Research Centre on Camels, Bikaner}}

National Research Centre on Camels was established in 1984 in Bikaner by the Central Government under Indian Council of Agricultural Research at the outskirts of Bikaner city to promote research and development related to camels such as effective breeding, utilisation of camel milk. Scientists engage with all stakeholders like Camel herders, traders via collaborative programmes and significant growth had been made.{{cite web |title=ICAR- National Research Center on Camels, Bikaner |url=https://icar.org.in/node/8328 |website=Indian Council of Agricultural Research |access-date=28 December 2018}} A camel museum is available to apprise them of the developmental and research aspects of the camel in the desert ecosystem. Maharaja Ganga Singh of the Indian State of Bikaner founded Bikaner Camel Corps around 1890 and became a part of the BSF in Independent India.{{cite news |title=BSF camel contingent marches during India Republic Day |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/rday-bsf-camel-contingent-march-on-google-doodle/article8154465.ece |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=Hindu Business Line |date=19 January 2018 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=National Research Centre on Camels |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/attractions/national-research-centre-on-camels/a/poi-sig/1148979/356195 |website=www.lonelyplanet.com |access-date=28 December 2018 |language=en}}

The Rajasthan government has decided to set up its first cow sanctuary in Bikaner. It has a dedicated Ministry of Cow Husbandry. The sanctuary is likely to be set up near Amarpura village, about 70 km from Bikaner.{{cite news |title=In a first, a sanctuary for cows to come up in Bikaner district |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/in-a-first-a-sanctuary-for-cows-to-come-up-in-bikaner-district/story-IHy2MN0wZiVOXqYPGQWbrM.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=22 January 2016 |language=en}}

file:Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner.jpg

Educational Institutes located in Bikaner are Sardar Patel Medical College, Government Engineering College Bikaner, Government Polytechnic College Bikaner, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, and Bikaner Technical University.{{cite news |title=Bikaner Technical University colleges to upload attendance register daily |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/btu-colleges-to-upload-attendance-register-daily/articleshow/65329415.cms |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=9 August 2018}}{{cite news |title=Bikaner university says won't charge fee from transgender students |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/bikaner-university-says-won-t-charge-fee-from-transgender-students/story-8JGQvn9aUPzTfpWMWDOXTL.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=6 November 2017 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Indian varsity awards PhD on poet's poetry |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/indian-varsity-awards-phd-on-poets-poetry201807312140070001/ |access-date=28 December 2018 |work=ANI News |date=31 July 2018 |language=en}}

International Camel Festival is held every year in January or February. Organised by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, the city celebrates the festival in honour of camels.

Competitions like Mr Bikana and Miss Marwan are also held during the festival.{{cite news |title=International camel festival in Bikaner from January 12 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/dec/27/international-camel-festival-in-bikaner-from-january-12-1917326.html |access-date=29 December 2018 |work=The New Indian Express |date=27 December 2018}}{{cite news |title=Travelling in Rajasthan? Don't miss the Bikaner camel festival |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/travelling-in-rajasthan-don-t-miss-the-bikaner-camel-festival/story-8OStnby947ytwt4E4OwIIM.html |access-date=29 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 January 2018 |language=en}}

{{Main|List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_India}}

• {{Flagicon|TR}} Kütahya, Turkey{{cite web |date=1 August 2013 |title=Kütahya'nın 10 "kardeş şehri" var Kaynak: Kütahya'nın 10 kardeş şehri var |url=https://www.gundemgazetesi.net/kutahya39nin-10-kardes-sehri-var-36070h.htm |access-date=7 December 2020 |website=gundemgazetesi.net |publisher=Gündem Gazetesi |language=tr}}

• {{flagicon|Italy}} Udine, Italy{{Cite web |date=26 October 2019 |title=Gemellaggi e relazioni internazionali - Comune Udine |url=https://www.comune.udine.it/13-pagina/200-625-02-10-2016-12-58-36 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026095038/https://www.comune.udine.it/13-pagina/200-625-02-10-2016-12-58-36 |archive-date=26 October 2019 |access-date=9 January 2024 |website=Comune di Udine}}

{{Geographic Location (8-way)

|Northwest = Multan (Pakistan)

|North = Sri Ganganagar

|Northeast = Churu

|West =

|Center = Bikaner

|South = Jodhpur

|Southwest = Jaisalmer

|Southeast = Nagaur, Merta City, Ajmer

|East = Sikar, Jaipur

|}}

• Magra sheep
• Bikaner State
• Malasar
• List of universities and colleges in Bikaner
• List of schools in Bikaner, Rajasthan
• Jasrasar
• Swaroopdesar

{{Reflist}}

• [http://bikaner.rajasthan.gov.in District Government Site]

{{Subject bar|portal1=India |commons=yes |s=yes}}

{{Bikaner district}}

{{Rajasthan}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1488 establishments in Asia

Category:15th-century establishments in India

Category:Populated places established in the 1480s

Category:Former capital cities in India

Category:15th-century Jain temples