BIKANER

BIKANER

THESE ARE THE QUALITIES AND FACTS OF A BEAUTIFUL CITY OF RAJASTHAN WHERE WE BELONG TO, IT HAS BIG POPULATION IN DELHI, STILL WE DON'T HAVE ANY SINGLE TRAIN FOR IT SINCE LAST 5 YRS...IT DESPARETLY AND GENUINLY NEED A TRAIN TRACK FIRST, WHICH IS IN CONSTRUCTION PROCESS FOR LAST MANY YEARS.....AND OF COURSE A DIRECT TRAIN.MAMTAJI LOTS OF BIKANERI LIVES IN KOLKATTA AS WELL...THEY WILL VOTE FOR YOU...IF ONLY VOTE POLITICS IS IN YOUR MIND AS ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN W.B. IS APPROACHING....BUT I WISH YOU'LL TAKE CARE OF ALL WHO NEED IT...AS IN INTERIM BUDGET(in july) YOU HAVE ANNOUNCED TRAINS FOR BACKWARD AND INTERIOR PLACES OF JHARKHAAND(Thanks my mamaji lives there.) AND NORTH EAST(which was needed)...STARTED LADIES SPECIALS AND ANNOUNCED JOBS FOR SPORTS PERSONS IN THE RAILWAYs...AND MANY MORE AS I REMEMBER. I DO WISH YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS SEE DAYLIGHT AS WELL....AS I KNOW YOU ARE BURNING MIDNIGHT OIL FOR THE PREPARATION OF THESE BUDGETS. GOOD WISHES TO YOU....AND BIKANER ALSO.




From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Country India
State Rajasthan
District(s) Bikaner
Population
• Density 723,982 (2008[update])
• 1,960 /km2 (5,076 /sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation 270 km2 (104 sq mi)
• 242 m (794 ft)
Codes[show]
• Pincode • 3340XX
• Telephone • ++91 151
• Vehicle • RJ-07

Bikaner is a District in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. Just like Jaipur, Bikaner is called the [[Camel City/Land of Camels)]. The Ganga Canal completed in 1928 and the [[Indira Gandhi Canal - One of The largest canal Project of the world)] completed in 1987 have allowed the farming of crops such as mustard, cotton, Groundnut, wheat and vegitables. Other industries include wool production and the mining of Gypsum, plaster of Paris and bentonite.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Geography
3 Transport
4 Climate
5 Art & Culture
5.1 Usta Art
6 Fairs and festivals
7 Attractions in Bikaner and nearby
7.1 Junagarh Fort
7.2 Laxmi Niwas Palace
7.3 Lalgarh Palace
7.4 Moolnayakji
7.5 Laxmi Nath Temple
7.6 Bhandasar Jain Temple
7.7 Other famous Jain Temples
7.8 Kolayat
7.9 Karni Mata Temple
7.10 Shiv Bari Temple
7.11 Other attractions
8 Demographics
9 Education in Bikaner
10 Connectivity
11 See also
12 References
13 External links


[edit] History
Further information: History of Bikaner

Genealogy of Bikaner Royal Family from its establishment by Rao Bika in 1472Till the 11th century, the area now known as Bikaner, was under the Gurjara - Pratihara clan and was ruled by a powerful Bargujar King. It was then known as Jangladesh and Churu was the centre of Bargujar power. It was only in 1472, that Rao Bika established the city of Bikaner. Rao Bika was the second son of Maharaja Rao Jodha of the Rathor clan, the founder of Jodhpur city. He conquered the large arid lands to the northern region of Rajasthan to set up his domain. As the second son of Joda he had no chance of inheriting his father’s territory of Jodhpur or to the title of Maharaja. He, therefore, reconciled and decided to build his own kingdom at Bikaner at the place then called "Jungladesh". Bikaner, though a desert land of the Thar Desert, was considered an oasis on the trade route between Central Asia and the Gujarat coast since it had adequate spring water sources. Bika’s name was thus tagged to the Bikaner city as well as to the then state of Bikaner (“the settlement of Bika”) that he established. He built a fort in 1478, which is now ruins and 100 years later a new fort was built about 1.5 km from the city centre known as the Junagarh Fort. History of Bikaner and the fort within it thus start with Bika.[1][2][3]

It was only about 100 years after Bika that Bikaner’s fortunes flourished under Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled from 1571 to 1611. During the Mughal Empire’s rule in the country, he accepted the suzerainty of the Mughals and held a high position of an army general in the court of Emperor Akbar and his son Emperor Jahangir. His successful war exploits by way of winning half of Mewar kingdom won him accolades and rewards from the Mughal emperors. He was gifted the jagirs (lands) of Gujarat and Burhanpur. With the large revenue earned from these jagirs, he built the Junagarh fort on a plain land, which has an average elevation of 760 feet (230 m). He was an expert in arts and architecture and the knowledge that he acquired during his several sojourns to several countries are amply reflected in the numerous monuments he built in the Junagarh fort.[1][4][3]

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 1669-98, made substantial additions to the fort complex, with new palaces and the Zenana quarter (royal dwelling for females). He refurbished the Karan Mahal with a Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall) and called it the Anup Mahal. Gaj Singh who ruled from 1746 to 1787 refurbished the Chandra Mahal (the Moon palace). Following him, Surat Singh ruled from 1787 to 1828 and he lavishly decorated the audience hall (see picture in info box) with glass and lively paintwork. Dungar Singh who reigned from 1872 to 1887 built the Badal Mahal (the weather palace) named so in view of a painting of falling rain and clouds (a rare event in arid Bikaner). Ganga Singh who ruled from 1887 to 1943 built the Ganga Niwas Palace, which has towers at the entrance patio. This palace was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.[5] Ganga Singh’s son Sadul Singh succeeded his father in 1943 but acceded to the Union of India in 1949. He died in 1950.[2]

Bikaner came under the suzerainty of the British Raj under a treaty of paramountcy signed in 1818, where after the Maharajas of Bikaner invested heavily on refurbishing their Junagarh fort.[6] However, during the 18th century, before this treaty was signed, there was internecine war between rulers of Bikaner and Jodhpur and also amongst other thakurs, which was put down by the British troops.[3]


Left: Lalgarh palace built (Indo-Saracenic style) by Ganga Singh in the name of his father, presently a heritage hotel and also residence of the Royal family. Right: Ganga Singh as member of the Imperial War Cabinet
Ganga Singh was the best-known king among the Rajasthan princes and he was a favourite of the British Raj and he earned the title of Knight Commander of the Star of India. He served as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet, represented the country at the Imperial (First World War Conferences) and the British Empire at the Versailles Peace Conference and was aware of the shift of fortunes in the World War II but died in 1943, before the war was won by the allies. His contribution to the building activity in Junagarh involved separate halls for public and private audience in the Ganga Mahal and a durbar hall for formal functions. The hall where he held his Golden Jubilee as a ruler of Bikaner is now a museum. He also got a new palace -north of Junagarh fort - designed and built by Swinton, the third of the new palaces built in Bikaner and named it Lalgarh Palace in the name of his father and shifted his residence from Junagarh fort to this palace in 1902. The royal family still lives in a special suite in the Lalbagh palace, which they have converted in to a heritage hotel.[6][3]

[edit] Geography
Bikaner is located at 28°01′N 73°11′E / 28.01°N 73.19°E / 28.01; 73.19[7]. It has an average elevation of 243 metres (797 feet

[edit] Transport
The internal transport system in Bikaner consists of autorickshaws and city buses. Bikaner is connected to some of major Indian cities via broad gauge railway. The city has direct rail connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Kanpur, Agra, Jalandhar, Baroda, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, Jaipur, Surat, Jalandhar, Thiruvananthapuram, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Ahmedabad. However, there is no rail connectivity for other major Indian cities like Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Gorakhpur and Puri. Bikaner is well served with roads and is linked directly to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Ambala, Ahmedabad, Haridwar, Jodhpur, Indore and many other cities. National highways 11, 15, and 89 meet at Bikaner. Bikaner has a well equipped military airport at Nal and hopes to have a passenger airport in the near future.

[edit] Climate
Bikaner is situated in the middle of the Thar desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer, temperatures exceed 50 °C and during the winter it dips to freezing point.

The climate in Bikaner is characterised by extreme variations in temperature. In the summer season it is very hot when the temperatures lie in the range of 28–41.8 °C (82–107 °F). In the winter, it is fairly cold with temperatures lying in the range of 5–23.2 °C (41–74 °F).[8] Annual Rainfall is in the range of 260–440 millimetres (10–17 in).[8][9]

[edit] Art & Culture

Princely flag of BikanerBikaner is famous for -:

1) Its camel research farm (NRCC). 2) Its "Bikaneri Bhujia. 3) Its wool production. 4) Its milk production-maximum in India(according to city production). 5) Its sweets.

Bikaneri Bhujia is a spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil. Bikaner is also known for its handicrafts and leather articles, for its palaces and for having Asia's biggest camel farm.
The city is also known for its intricately carved Jharokas. These red sandstone stone jalis (screens) are found on the windows of the Junagarh fort, temples and havelis (mansions of Northern India). Jalis would be used for ventilation and for women to watch the world while remaining hidden.

The red sandstone for these stone window screens was supplied by the nearby village of Dulmera.

[edit] Usta Art
Bikaner was and is the centre for Usta Art, a generic term for the Manoti-Naqqashi (embossed and unembossed floral and geometric patterned objects layered with gold) media produced by Usta family master artistans of Bikaner. The Usta artists and artisans also controlled all production of the Bikaner School "miniature" paintings using translucent and opaque vegetable and mineral watercolours from the late-16th to late-19th Century. Famous painters of the Bikaner School were Hamid Rukn-ud-din, Ahmad, Nathu ji, Nure, Rahim, Isa, Iso, Sahab-ud-din, Rehim ji and Murad.

[edit] Fairs and festivals
Karni Mata fair
Gangaur
Kapil Muni fair
Camel festival: each January the state government organises a camel festival with camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidh people.
Aksaye Tritya or "AKKHA TEEJ": the foundation day of Bikaner. This was the day when Rao Bika laid the foundation of the new empire. Every year on this day people from across the social spectrum enjoy themselves by flying kites or "CHANDA". They also enjoy a special meal, such as "Khichra and Imlani".
[edit] Attractions in Bikaner and nearby

Junagarh Fort, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India[edit] Junagarh Fort
The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner who reigned from 1571 to 1612. Rai Singh had conquered part of Marwar and had been granted territory in Gujurat and Burhanpur by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a reward for his services as military commander. This, as well as funding from Jodhpur, enabled him to build the fort. Rai Singh held high rank in the imperial courts of both Akbar and his successor, Jehangir. During his imperial service he travelled extensively, giving him an appreciation of art and architecture. These ideas have been incorporated meticulously into the architectural style of Junagarh Fort.

[edit] Laxmi Niwas Palace

Laxmi Niwas PalaceThe Laxmi Niwas Palace is a former residential palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Maharajah Ganga Singh in Bikaner in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was designed by the British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in the year 1902. The style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic. It is now a luxury hotel owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd. The magnificent structure in red sandstone is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Bikaner.[10]




[edit] Lalgarh Palace

Lalgarh PalaceLalgarh Palace was built between 1902 and 1926 according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The building was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1889 - 1925) in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh and was designed by the British architect, Sir Swinton Jacob. It is coated in red sandstone and has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. The building features magnificent pillars, elaborate fireplaces, Italian colonnades and intricate latticework and filigree work. The palace houses the Shri Sadul Museum as well as the fourth largest library in the world. Though the Bikaner Royal Family still live in the palace, part of the building has been converted into a Heritage hotel operated by the Royal faimly of Bikaner.[citation needed]

[edit] Moolnayakji
Constructed in 1486, Moolnayakji was the first Vaishnav Temple built in Bikaner. It was the principal seat of the Vaishanv sect. The first of the Bhagavad Katha Vachaks of the Rattani Vyas clan of Bikaner Shri Rattoji Vyas gave the Bhagavad Updesh to the king, Rao Bika and his aide Salloji Rathi. This practice is carried on till date. The presiding deity is Lord Moolnayak Krishna.


Bhandasar Jain Temple[edit] Laxmi Nath Temple
Laxmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bikaner. The foundation of the city was laid here in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. The temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and was added to by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

[edit] Bhandasar Jain Temple
Out of the 27 beautiful Jain Temples adorning the landscape of Bikaner city, this temple dedicated to 5th Tirthankar Lord Sumatinath is considered to be the most beautiful and also the highest. This temple was buit by a Jain merchant Bhanda Shah. The foundation of this temple was filled by pure ghee and dry coconuts.

This temple is mainly famous for wall paintings and usta art. The temple is built of red sandstone and is divided in three floors. One can see the skyline of Bikaner by climbing to the topmost floor of this temple.

[edit] Other famous Jain Temples
There are total 27 Jain temples in Bikaner. Following is the list of most revered and some of the oldest Jain temples of the city.

1. Sri Adishwar Ji- dedicated to 1st Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev

2. Sri Chintamani Ji- dedicated to 1st Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev. Boasts of more than 1500 sacred jina idols which Maharaja of Bikaner secured from the hands of insane Muslim chiefs.

3. Sri Baido ka Mahavir Ji- dedicated to 24th and last Tirthankar Lord Mahavira

4. Sri Naminath Ji- dedicated to 21st Tirthankar Lord Naminath. It is situated inside the campus of Laxminath temple. Thus it a testimony to the cordial relations between the two main communities of Bikaner -Jains & Hindus. Consists of good wall paintings.

[edit] Kolayat
Kolayat is a famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapila who, according to his devotees, sat in meditation near the lake. One week before Pushkar Festival and till one week later this lake is more interesting if you like to see Sadhus. Pushkar will have some Sadhus but Kolayat will have many hundreds.

[edit] Karni Mata Temple
The world famous 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.

This temple is famous for rats which can be seen everywhere in the temple.

[edit] Shiv Bari Temple
Built from red sandstone by Dungar Singh in the late 19th century, the temple is surrounded by a wall with battlements. It has a four faced black marble statue of Shiva and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam. There are also two large reservoirs of water known as bawaris. The temple attracts thousands of visitors during Shravan (August) especially on Mondays.

[edit] Other attractions
Camel Farm
Sur Sagar
Public Park and Zoo
Raj Ratan Bihariand Rasik Siromani Temple
Lakshminath Temple
Bhandasar Jain Temple
Vaidehi Global Trust
Vaishno Dham
Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
Rajasthan State Archives
Rampuria Havelis
Ratan Bihari Temple
Historical Gopi Nath Temple, Opp. Government Press
Devi Kund Sagar.
Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kalibangan.
Kolayat.
MUKAM Nokha
Deshnok Goddess Karni Temple.
[edit] Demographics
According to the 2001 India census [11], Bikaner had a population of 529,007. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Bikaner has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 74% and female literacy of 57%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Education in Bikaner
For notable Universities and colleges see List of universities and colleges in Bikaner: Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Jaisalmer Road, Bikaner Swami Keshvanand rajasthan agricultute University, ganganagar Road, Bikaner Government Dunger College, jaipur Road, Bikaner M.S. College for Women, Jaisalmer Road, Bikaner Rampuria College, Joshiwara, inside kote gate, Bikaner.

For notable schools see List of schools in Bikaner, Rajasthan. K.A.M. Children Secondary School, Neel kanth Colony, In frount of Cine Magic Cinema, Rani Bazar Industrial Area, Bikaner Government Fort Sr. Sec. School, Station Road, Bikaner Govt. Sadul Sr. Sec. School, Inside Kote Gate, Bikaner Major Thomus Govt. City Sr. Sec. School, Morden Market School, Bikaner

[edit] Connectivity
Bikaner is well connected by road, rail and air links to the rest of the country.

Bikaner has an airport named Nal Airport(FOR DEFENCE), which is 17 kilometres (11 mi) away from the city centre and is still not fully functional. However, airports at Jodhpur (254 kilometres (158 mi)) and Sanganer Airport at Jaipur (352 kilometres (219 mi)) within Rajasthan provide the link.

Bikaner is served by two railway stations namely Bikaner Junction (BKN)[13] and Lalgarh Railway Station (LGH)[14]. These two stations connect Bikaner with other cities and towns in Rajasthan and with the major cities in North India(FOR LAST 5 YRS THERE IS NO DIRECT TRAIN FROM AND TO DELHI-BIKANER).

There is very good network of city roads also where all modes of vehicular transport communications operate.....DHORON KE RASTE BUS AUR GADDI MEIN AANA TO AACCHA HI LAGTA HAI!!!