Bikaner
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| ?Bikaner Rajasthan • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
270 km² (104 sq mi) • 242 m (794 ft) |
| District(s) | Bikaner |
| Population • Density |
723,982 (2008) • 1,960 /km² (5,076 /sq mi) |
| Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle |
• 3340XX • ++91 151 • RJ-07 |
Bikaner is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District. 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. The Ganga Canal completed in 1928 and the Indira Gandhi Canal completed in 1987 have allowed the farming of crops such as mustard, cotton and wheat. Other industries include wool production and the mining of gypsum, plaster of Paris and bentonite. Bikaner has four sub division([tahsil]):
1.Kolayat
2.Nokha
3.Lunkaransar
4.Sri Dungargarh.
[edit] History
[edit] Geography
Bikaner is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 243 metres (797 feet).
[edit] Transport
Bikaner,being a prominent place for trade in this part of the state,is well connected with all the major cities of india via direct railway and road services while still an aspirant for an airport.
RAILWAYS-Bikaner is connected to all the major cities of india via good quality railway services i.e. of broad gauge.It is directly connected to Delhi,Mumbai,Hyderabad,Kolkata, Guwahati, Jaipur, Surat, Jalandhar,Tiruvanathpuram,Chandigarh,Jammu,Ahmedabad and so a pretty long list to add on.
ROADWAYS-This route of transport also provides a good access to people of this city,being connected directly to Delhi,Jaipur,Ahmedabad,Haridwar and so on.
AIRWAYS-Although this city has got a well furnished millitary airport at NAAL,but still lacking a pessenger airport and hope to get it soon 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.
[edit] Culture
Bikaner is famous for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and 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 stone screens are found on the windows of forts and havellis - traditionally, women would use the screens to watch the world while remaining hidden.
The red sandstone for these stone window screens is supplied by the nearby village of Dulmera.
Bikaner is also a centre for Usta Art. This centuries old technique is characterised by miniature paintings and gold embossing. The work is carried out on ceilings, pillars, walls, marble, wood, glassware, ivory and - perhaps most beautiful of all - on pieces of camel hide.
[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] Tourist Attractions (in Bikaner)
- Junagarh Fort
- Lalgarh Palace
- Camel Farm
- Public Park and Zoo
- Raj Ratan Bihariand Rasik Siromani Temple
- Lakshmiminath Temple
- Bhandasar Jain Temple
- Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
- Rajasthan State Archives
- Havelis
[edit] Tourist Attractions (near Bikaner)
- Camel Research Farm.
- Devi Kund Sagar.
- Karni Mata Mandir. The most famous rat temple in India.
- Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Kalibangan.
- Kolayat.
- Laxmi Niwas Palace.
- Shiv Bari Temple.
[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] Lalgarh Palace
The palace was built between 1902 and 1926 according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The building was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881 - 1942) 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 fire places, 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 hotel operated by the WelcomHeritage Group.
[edit] Moolnayakji
Moolnayakji is the first Viashnav Temple built in Bikaner in the year 1486. It was at this place the highest seat of Vaishanv Sect was laid. The first of the famous Bhagwat Katha Vachaks of Rattani Vyas clan of Bikaner Shri Rattoji Vyas was the first one to give the Bhagwat updesh to the then king of the land Rao Bika and his aide Salloji Rathi.And this practice is carried on even till this date.The presiding deity is Lord Moolnayak Krishna.
[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] 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] Kolayat
Kolayat is a famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni who, according to his devotees, sat in meditation near the lake.
[edit] Karni Mata Temple
The 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.
[edit] Demographics
According to the 2001 India census [2], 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
Bikaner is growing as a big centre for education. Good schools and coaching facilities provide students with plenty of opportunities.
The notable Universities and colleges:
- University of Bikaner
- Rajasthan Agriculture University
- Engineering College, Bikaner (ECB)
- Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner
- Veterinary College
- Marudhar Eng.college
- Dungar College
- Maharani Sudarshan College (M.S. College)
- Sardar Patel Medical College
- B.J.S. Rampuria Jain College
- Shri Jain P.G. College
- Shri Nehru Sharda Peeth
- Binani Girls College
- Shri Jain Girls College
- Institute of Management Studies
- AFTERSCHOOOL Centre for Social Entrepreneurship
For notable schools see List of schools in Bikaner, Rajasthan
[edit] Notable people from Bikaner
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) |
- Dr.B.D.Kalla, MLA Bikaner, Ex-Cabinate Minister in Government of Rajasthan, ex- Congress President in Rajasthan and leader of opposition ,
- Maharaja Karni Singh,
- Dr.Narsingh Lal Kiradoo,
- Allah Jilai Bai,
- Nand Kishore Acharya ,
- Shri Narayan Purohit, ex-prsident Rajasthan Bar Association,
- Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,
- Rajyashree Kumari,
- Hisam-ud-din Usta, Padma Shri awardee
- Bharat Vyas(Actor)
- Sudhir Tailang (Only Padma Shri awardee cartoonist in India)
[edit] References
- Patnaik, Naveen. (1990). A Desert Kingdom: The Rajputs of Bikaner. George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd., London.
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007) |
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bikaner
- ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
[edit] External links
- District Government Site
- Bikaner Veterinary College Site
- Bikaner travel guide from Wikitravel
- RealBikaner - The City Portal
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