Camel Festival in Bikaner

Rajasthan is not only about Jaipur, Jaisalmer or Jodhpur, and if you are the kind that wants to explore offbeat or lesser-known destinations, Bikaner is a good choice. You can stay in one of the hotels in Jaipur and travel to Bikaner from there. There are plenty of 5 star hotels in Jaipur you can choose from.

 

So what does Bikaner have to offer, you wonder? Bikaner is famous for its camel festival, apart from many sights there. Bikaner is India’s lone farm for breeding camels, and is the biggest one in Asia. The camel industry in Bikaner is a thriving one, and the city where you should be heading to, if you want to experience the joy of a camel safari.

 

What the camel festival is all about?

 

If you are in Bikaner during January, you can watch a wonderful procession of camels, all decked in bright colours. You can witness a camel safari, cultural programmes, fireworks, kho-kho, kabaddi and other sports. The festival is held over two days set against the Junagadh fort backdrop.

 

Camel safaris

 

If you can’t visit Bikaner around the time of the camel festival, you can still enjoy a camel safari when you go there. These camel safaris are day-tours, and you get to enjoy stunning vistas of the sands, camels, traditional/folk culture and of course, local cuisine. Choose a good operator who will take the time out to give you an authentic experience. Plan your itinerary in such a manner that you can combine your holiday in Jaipur as well. You can visit Bikaner from Jaipur as the camel city is well connected by road, rail and air. If you wish to fly, Jodhpur’s airport is the closest airport for you. Stay in one of the hotels in Jaipur, and choose from among the premium 5 star hotels in Jaipur to pamper yourself.  

 

Things to do in Bikaner

 

• You can visit other places like Lalgarh Palace, Laxmi Nath Temple, Junagadh Fort, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum and Bhandesar Jain Temple. The Fort dates back to the late 14^th century and was built by Akbar’s general Raja Rai Singh. Bikaner is also well known for its many havelis or mansions, so if you have the time, go on a walking tour to explore the mansions with intricately patterned walls and windows.

 

• Apart from the sights, when you are in Bikaner, don’t miss the Rajasthani food. Then, there is the famed Bikaneri bhujia, another not-to-be-missed snack on your list. The bhujia (deep-fried crisps made of gram flour) has even been given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

 

• When it comes to shopping, you can pick up wool, leather, lac and kundan jewellery. Don’t miss fabrics, bedspreads, tie-and-dye products and other Rajasthani apparel when you are there.

 

While you are in Bikaner, you can also visit Gajner where there is a palace and a lake. The best time to visit Bikaner is when the camel festival is on, sometime in January. The dates could vary from year to year. It is best to avoid summer when the temperatures can soar rapidly. The best time to visit is between Sep-Oct and March, when the weather is pleasant.