Blogs from Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Return to India 9 (click on 'previous' below the panoramas for earlier blogs) 2nd February 2018 Forts, Rats, Vultures ad Cranes Bikaner, Rajasthan Continuing the travels of two somewhat elderly brothers, David (of ‘the grey haired nomads’) and the younger, Mike, (aka, ‘keep smiling’). It's mild enough for shirt-sleeves on our short stroll after breakfast today, from our hotel to the enormous sandstone Junagarh Fort on the edge of town. Like many of Rajasthan's forts this one is built to impress, that's for sure. Constructed back in the mid-sixteenth century for ruler Raja Rai Singh, this truly massive fort covers an impressive 5.28 hectares! It's impossible not to stand and stare in wonder at its enormity; let's close our eyes for a moment and take a deep breath before we move on: past the boating lake, ... read more

Rajasthan is a state filled with palaces and forts in all major cities. The ones in Chittorgarh, Jodhpur and Kumbalgarh are very well known, but the Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is quite underrated. The reason I call this a fort unlike any other is that this is not perched on a hill like the other ones. It is right in the center of the city of Bikaner. The city and civilization is built around this fort without disturbing its historic value. The royal family that belong to this fort reside in the Lalgarh Palace in the city's outskirts. This palace is strictly off limits for tourists, but trust me the palace is a sand stone marvel which you can look at all day long! The fort looks very simple from the outside. The entry ticket (Rs.50) ... read more

Geo: 28.0199, 73.3176 Up early , breakfast and depart 7.30am.Long drive to Bikaner, 2 stops, arrived at 1.45pm for quick lunch. 3.15pm left for National Camel Research Centre. Very interesting seeing the different camels and breeding centre. Also the museum describing how important camels are for the desert dwellers, for transport, milk, hair & hides. Then had a icecream made from camel milk, tasty & creamy. Back to Palace hotel for a look around, our room 3rd floor overlooking back courtyard. Our room was upstairs across the rooftop to a lovely secluded room. Fixtures & fittings were quirky, a little old and strange but this added to the old world feel. Our bathroom was huge, down an internal hallway overlooking a courtyard. Bedroom quite large with a lovely comfortable bed. Small fridge which was noisy so ... read more

15/01/16 Arrive in beautiful Pathankot for breakfast and join my Rajastan bound sleeper train @ 11am, climb aboard my favoured shelf,a chilly ride with most under big blankets, doze along before reaching Bikaner junction at midnight. 16/01/16 rough sleep the night in the station waiting room and head out at 7, check my pack into a nearby "hotel", walk to the Town, get in on student rate(?) impressive architecture at scale, decorative & well worth a visit just to see the weapon exhibits & cool old photos, via the post office to the bhandasar temple in the old city, return back to town and catch a 20 inr bus to Karni Mata temple 30ks from town. An irresistible trip to what's known locally as the mouse temple, local descendants of the late Karni Mata fully intend ... read more

Day 4 - Bikaner and Camel Safari The train journey was a welcome improvement to the ones that I suffered in China! I got on the train, made my bed, was then asleep within the first ten minutes. I was so ready for a marathon sleep. We arrived into Bikaner early in the morning and reached our hotel by 8am. We were driven down in local jeeps to a village hotel called The Tamarind. We have a couple of rooms to freshen up and change. I had breakfast of cornflakes with yoghurt closely followed by toast and jam with a lovely cup of black tea! Ankur explained that this hotel belonged to the late Mahataj Bhairon Singh, Prime Minister of Bikaner State. I really feel like I am in,The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'! Bikaner is a ... read more