Things to do in Bikaner
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A
Gallops
This is a spiffy air-conditioned cafe with a camel leather–clad lounge area with big windows. There is real, and very good, espresso coffee, but at Rs100 a cappuccino, you would have to be keen. The menu also features pricey Indian and Chinese veg and nonveg, including tandoori specials.
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Vino Desert Safari
Recommended operator Vino Desert Safari offers half-day to 13-day trips (Rs500 to 1500 per day, depending on how much luxury you require and how much you use a jeep).
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Junagarh Fort
Constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh – a general in the army of the Mughal emperor Akbar – this most impressive fort has a 986m-long wall with 37 bastions, a moat and two entrances. The Surajpol (Sun Gate) is the main entrance to the fort. Here you will be accosted by private guides, even though your ticket includes either the audio guide or an official fort guide (leaving every 15 minutes or so from the ticket office). The palaces within the fort are on the southern side, and make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks, towers and windows. The museum here is fascinating and well labelled, with over-the-top costumes, jewellery and a rar…
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Jain temples
The narrow streets of the old city conceal a number of old havelis and a couple of notable Jain temples. The temples date from around the 15th century. Bhandasar Temple is particularly beautiful, with yellow-stone carving and dizzyingly vibrant paintings. It's said the foundations contain 40,000kg of ghee, and the floor still gets greasy in summer. Sandeshwar Temple is smaller, but has some fine carving. Nearby, the unassuming Laxminath Temple comes alive at around 22:30 each night.
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Camel Man Safari
Bikaner is an excellent, offbeat alternative to the Jaisalmer safari scene and is becoming increasingly popular with travellers. Longer safaris (to Jaisalmer or Jodhpur) are highly recommended. Camel Man, run by Vijay Singh Rathore, operates safaris ranging from a half-day trip to 14 days (all the way to Jaisalmer), with basic safaris, and more upmarket excursions (beds with sheets are provided!). Phone or see website for more information.
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National Research Centre on Camels
The National Research Centre on Camels is about 8km east of the town centre. Here you can visit baby camels, go for a ride and look around the small museum. The on-site Camel Milk Parlour doesn’t look much but can whip up a lassi for Rs5. The round trip, including a half-hour wait at the camel farm, is around Rs150 for an autorickshaw or Rs300 for a taxi.
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Abhivyakti
Run by the Urmul Trust, a local NGO supported by Urmul Dairy (which has an outlet next door), Abhivyakti sells textiles produced by skilled artisans from local villages. The profits of Urmul Trust labelled items go to the producers to help fund a girls’ college. The Urmul Trust welcomes volunteers.
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Camel Research Institute
Eight kilometres north at Jorbeer, you'll find the Camel Research Institute. Between 16:30 and 17:00 you can watch a cavalcade of camels returning, in biblical fashion, to their enclosure after a day's grazing. A small shop sells the usual knick-knacks, including jootis of camel hide.
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Ganga Government Museum
The Ganga Government Museum houses a small, well-displayed collection of sculptures, handicrafts, musical instruments and gold paintings. Entrance is to the back left of the building.
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Suraj Restaurant
Situated beneath the Suraj Hotel, this is Bikaner’s best-value thali joint. Choose between the ‘mini’, ‘deluxe’ and the highly recommended ‘special’, which can be shared between two people.
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Prachina Bikaner Cultural Centre & Museum
The Prachina Bikaner Cultural Centre & Museum is a well-labelled museum featuring over-the-top costumes, jewellery and a rare glimpse of everyday paraphernalia.
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Sri Sadul Museum
The Sri Sadul Museum features lots of fascinating old black-and-white photographs and some evocative maharaja accessories. You can stay in the Lalgarh palace.
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Chapan Bhog
This spot dishes out some top-notch vegetarian fare at very affordable prices. Squeaky clean, but some of the ambience got rubbed off by the sponge.
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Laxmi Hotel
A simple place, Laxmi is open to the street, with tasty, fresh vegetarian thalis – you can see the roti being flipped in front of you.
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Amber
With russet walls and mirrors, and a staid, no-nonsense look, Amber is well thought of and popular for veg fare.
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Chhotu Motu Joshi Sweet Shop
Bikaner’s most-loved sweet stop has an assortment of Indian treats. Try the milk sweet rasmalai (cottage cheese dumplings; Rs16) and saffron kesar cham cham (milk, sugar and saffron-flavoured sweet; Rs6).
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