The Camel Country · Rajasthan city guide

Bikaner, camel country

A desert city of red sandstone palaces, painted havelis and famous camels, founded on the caravan routes of the Thar.

Things to do Food & shopping Getting there Good to know

Ideal stay1–2 nights

Best timeOctober – March

Nearest airportBikaner (Nal), limited flights

From JaipurAbout 330 km

About Bikaner

Why visit.

Rao Bika, a son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, founded Bikaner in 1488. The city prospered on the caravan trade, and its rulers built Junagarh Fort and later the red sandstone Lalgarh Palace.

Bikaner is famous for its camels, its bhujia snacks and the Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok, and it is a natural stop between Shekhawati and Jaisalmer.

01 / Things to do

Top things to do in Bikaner.

Junagarh FortA fort with some of Rajasthan's richest palace rooms.
Lalgarh PalaceA red sandstone palace of carved lattices.
Camel research farmA centre for breeding and studying camels.
Karni Mata Temple, DeshnokThe temple famous for its revered rats, 30 km south.
Rampuria HavelisOrnate merchant mansions in the old city.
Bikaner Camel FestivalHeld each January.

Attraction guides

Fort & palaces

Junagarh Fort

A fort built on the plains rather than a hill, with some of Rajasthan's most richly painted palace rooms inside.

Royal palace

Lalgarh Palace

A red sandstone palace of carved lattices and arcades, built for Bikaner's great modernising Maharaja.

Festival

Bikaner Camel Festival

A January celebration of the ship of the desert, with decorated camels, folk music and fire dances.

02 / Food & shopping

Eat, browse and take home.

Bikaneri bhujiaCrisp gram-flour snacks, famous across India.
RasgullaBikaner is known for its sweets.
Camel-milk productsIce cream and sweets at the camel farm.
Old city bazaarsSnacks, spices and textiles.

03 / Getting there

How to reach Bikaner.

By airBikaner (Nal) Airport has limited flights. Jodhpur and Jaipur are the nearest major airports.
By railBikaner Junction connects to Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
By roadAbout 5 hours from Jodhpur, 4 hours from Mandawa.

04 / Good to know