Bikaner, Rajasthan:

facade of the Junagarh Fort

After my eventful time in Jodhpur, the train took me further inside the Thar Desert of western Rajasthan to the small city of Bikaner.

I started my day with a tour through Bikaner’s old town with its narrow labyrinthine alleys and impressive havelis. In the following, I visited the Bhandasar and Santoshi Mata temples which are characterized by extremely intricate and colourful wall paintings. Afterwards, the autorickshaw driver dropped me at the magnificent Junagarh Fort. Constructed at the end of the 16th century, the complex of courtyards and palace buildings is truly impressive in its magnitude and design.

cows and camels in the alleys of Bikaner

haveli in the city centre

detail of facade

havelis in the city centre

detail of facade

facade of old haveli

havelis in the city centre

street scene

street food

vegetable market

market

Bhandasar Temple

Bhandasar Temple

Bhandasar Temple

Bhandasar Temple

Bhandasar Temple

Bhandasar Temple

colourful murals

colourful murals

colourful murals

colourful murals

paintings

statues inside Bhandasar Temple

statue inside Bhandasar Temple

statue inside Bhandasar Temple

Santoshi Mata Temple

Santoshi Mata Temple

Santoshi Mata Temple

stable for cows in the city centre

street scene

havelis in the city centre

facade of old haveli

old door

alleys of Bikaner

windows of a haveli

detail of facade

old town of Bikaner

Kothe Gate

Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort

entrance to the palace museum

courtyard in Junagarh Fort

courtyard in Junagarh Fort

courtyard in Junagarh Fort

courtyard in Junagarh Fort

pretty door

pretty door

ornamented ceiling

inside the palace museum

ornamented room in the palace

ornamented room in the palace

intricate mural

ornamented room in the palace

courtyard in Junagarh Fort

courtyard in Junagarh Fort

room in the palace

hallway

room in the palace

room in the palace

room in the palace

intricate mural

intricate mural

large hall

another large hall

Junagarh Fort

Junagarh Fort

Prachina Museum

Prachina Museum

I think you agree that Bikaner has a lot to offer, but a visit would not be complete without a short drive out of town to the famous Karni Mata Temple. This so-called “Temple of Rats” is situated in a small village and a truly special experience.

entrance to the Karni Mata Temple

inside the Karni Mata Temple

inside the Karni Mata Temple

rats inside the temple

rats inside the temple

rats inside the temple

rats inside the temple

rat checking out my foot

rats inside the temple

rats inside the temple

courtyard of the Karni Mata Temple

courtyard of the Karni Mata Temple

rats in the courtyard

rats in the courtyard

rats in the courtyard

courtyard of the Karni Mata Temple

courtyard of the Karni Mata Temple

rat ornaments

rat ornament

Karni Mata Temple

full moon

After exploring the town and its sights, I spent the next day on a wildlife safari in the beautiful countryside around Bikaner. Check out the coming post!