Rajasthan · North-west Rajasthan
Bikaner
A desert city with a fort that has survived largely intact, a rat temple and a camel research centre
- Best time
- October to March
- Ideal stay
- 1 night
- Nearest airport
- Bikaner (BKB) with limited flights; Jodhpur and Jaipur are alternatives
- Railway
- Bikaner Junction, with trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer
- From Jodhpur
- About 250 km. 4.5 to 5 hours by road
- Known for
- Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata Temple, bhujia and sweets, camels
Bikaner at a glance
Bikaner was founded in 1488 by Rao Bika, a Rathore prince from Jodhpur, and became a trading town on the caravan routes across the Thar. Junagarh Fort, built in the late 16th century on flat ground rather than a hill, is its main sight. Its interiors are unusually well preserved and richly painted.
It sees fewer tourists than Jaipur, Jodhpur or Jaisalmer, which is part of the appeal. Streets are busier and less polished, but the old walled city has painted havelis, and people here eat Bikaneri bhujia and sweets that are known across India.
Most visitors give it one day, often as a stop between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, or between Shekhawati and Jaisalmer.
Best time to visit Bikaner
October to March is best. Summers are extreme and sandstorms can occur, so avoid April to June unless you are used to desert heat.
| Months | Weather | What it means for a trip |
|---|---|---|
| Oct – Feb | Days of 20 to 30°C, nights 5 to 12°C | Comfortable for sightseeing. The Camel Festival is usually held in January. |
| Mar | Warming, 30 to 35°C | Still good for the fort, but keep to mornings. |
| Apr – Jun | Very hot, often above 42°C, with dust storms | Not recommended. |
| Jul – Sep | Hot and humid with short monsoon showers | Quiet and inexpensive, but still warm. |
How to reach Bikaner
- By air
- Bikaner has a small airport (BKB) with limited scheduled flights. Check the current schedule; most visitors reach Bikaner by train or road from Jaipur, Jodhpur or Delhi.
- By train
- Bikaner Junction connects to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Mumbai. Overnight trains from Delhi are convenient.
- By road
- Jodhpur is about 250 km, Jaisalmer about 330 km, Jaipur about 330 km and Delhi about 450 km. Roads are good. Many circuits pair Bikaner with Jaisalmer or with Shekhawati.
Things to do in Bikaner
1.Junagarh Fort
Built between 1589 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, and unusual in that it sits on flat ground rather than a hill. The palace interiors are well preserved, with painted halls, mirror work, and a museum of weapons and royal objects.
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours·Tip: Audio guides help. Wear shoes that are easy to take off.
2.Lalgarh Palace
A red sandstone palace designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob and completed in 1926. Part of it is a hotel and part a museum; the Sadul Museum holds the royal family's collections.
Time needed: 1 hour
3.Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke
About 30 km south of the city, the temple is home to thousands of rats which are considered sacred. You walk barefoot through the temple; spotting a white rat is thought to be lucky.
Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours·Tip: Bring socks if you don't want to walk on the floor barefoot. Shuffle rather than step to avoid stepping on rats.
4.National Research Centre on Camel
A government research farm that breeds camels and studies camel products. Visitors can see the animals, take a short ride and sample camel-milk drinks and ice cream.
Time needed: 1.5 hours·Tip: The best time to visit is late afternoon, when camels return from grazing.
5.Bhandasar Jain Temple
A 15th-century Jain temple with painted walls, mirror work and gold leaf. It is worth a short stop for the interiors.
Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes
6.Rampuria havelis and the old city
A cluster of carved sandstone mansions built by merchant families. Walking the lanes around them shows how a working old city looks and sounds.
Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
7.Devi Kund Sagar
A group of royal cenotaphs, a few kilometres east of the city. It's quiet and gives you a good view at sunset.
Time needed: 45 minutes
8.Gajner Palace and wildlife sanctuary
A lakeside palace and hunting lodge, now a hotel, about 30 km from the city. It sits on a lake, with a sanctuary that holds blackbuck, nilgai and migratory birds in winter.
Time needed: Half a day
Sample itineraries for Bikaner
One day
- Morning: Junagarh Fort.
- Lunch: Kachori and a thali in the old city.
- Afternoon: Lalgarh Palace and the Sadul Museum, then Bhandasar Jain Temple.
- Late afternoon: National Research Centre on Camel.
- Evening: Bhujia and sweets shopping in the old market.
Two days
- Day 1: As above.
- Day 2: Drive to Deshnoke for Karni Mata Temple, then Gajner Palace or Devi Kund Sagar.
Where to stay in Bikaner
- Old city havelis
- A handful of restored havelis offer rooms with character close to the fort.
- Civil Lines and railway station area
- Mid-range hotels and business hotels with easy access to transport.
- Palace hotels
- Lalgarh Palace and Gajner Palace offer heritage stays at higher prices.
What to eat and buy in Bikaner
- Bikaneri bhujia
- A thin, crisp gram-flour snack that has become a national brand. Buy it fresh from shops in the old market.
- Rasgulla and other sweets
- Bikaner is known for its milk sweets, including rasgulla and kaju katli. Try them warm from the shop.
- Kachori and rajkachori
- Fried kachoris with spicy fillings, sold at stalls around the market.
- Papad and camel-hair products
- Papad made from lentils is a local export. Camel-hair blankets and leather items are sold in the market.
Day trips and stops near Bikaner
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Deshnoke | About 30 km | The Karni Mata Temple, the rat temple. |
| Gajner | About 30 km | A palace hotel on a lake with a wildlife sanctuary. |
| Jaisalmer | About 330 km | Golden fort city; see the separate guide. |
| Jodhpur | About 250 km | The blue city; see the separate guide. |
| Shekhawati | About 190 km | Painted havelis; see the separate guide. |
What Bikaner costs
| Budget hotel (per room, per night) | About ₹800 to ₹2,000 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel or heritage haveli | About ₹2,500 to ₹6,000 |
| Palace hotel | ₹7,000 and up |
| Junagarh Fort | A modest ticket for Indian visitors, more for foreign visitors; audio guide extra |
| Private cab for a day of local sightseeing | About ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 |
| A sit-down meal | About ₹200 to ₹600 per person |
Fees, timings and prices last checked in September 2026. They change from season to season, so treat them as a guide and confirm at the ticket counter or with us when we plan your trip.
Practical tips
- Give the fort a full morning; it is easy to hurry through and the details are worth it.
- At Deshnoke, wear clothing you don't mind getting dusty and expect to walk barefoot.
- Buy bhujia and sweets from busy shops so they are fresh.
- In summer, plan for early starts and long afternoons indoors.
- Check the camel centre's opening hours before going.
Bikaner travel FAQs
How many days do you need in Bikaner?
One full day covers the fort and a few other sights. Add a second day for Deshnoke and Gajner if you have time.
What is Bikaner famous for?
Junagarh Fort, the Karni Mata rat temple, bhujia and sweets, and a strong camel culture, including a national research centre.
Is Bikaner worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a less touristy Rajasthan stop. It is a natural pairing with Jaisalmer or Shekhawati.
Can you visit Karni Mata Temple from Bikaner in a day?
Yes. Deshnoke is about 30 km away and takes an hour to reach. Allow one to two hours at the temple.
When is the Bikaner Camel Festival?
It is normally held in January, with camel races, parades and cultural events. Check the current year's dates before you plan.
Trips that include Bikaner
Ready-made routes you can change — swap hotels, add nights or combine with another city.
Rajasthan
Grand Rajasthan — The Complete Circuit
The unhurried version — Jaipur, the holy lake at Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and its dunes, Udaipur, and the cool hill retreat of Mount Abu, staying in palace and heritage hotels throughout.
Rajasthan
Shekhawati — Rajasthan's Open-Air Gallery
The quiet, offbeat corner north of Jaipur where merchant families covered whole towns in frescoes. Slow days among painted havelis, staying in a converted castle or two.
Let's plan your Bikaner trip
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