Day 1: Bikaner Full Day Sightseeing with Bhandeshwari Jain Temple and Lunch

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Your first stop is the Karni Mata Temple, dedicated to Mata Karni, who, according to legend, prayed to Yama, the god of death, and received a boon that reincarnated all her sons as rats.

Next, visit the famous Bhandeshwari Jain Temple, built in the 15th century by a Jain merchant named Bhanda Shah in honor of the 23rd Jain Tirthankar, Parsvanathji. Take your time to admire this three-storied monument made of red sandstone, featuring wall paintings, gold leaf paintings, carvings, Usta art, and rich mirror work.

Then head to the Shri Laxminath Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. The temple, adorned with beautiful silver artwork, comes alive during festivals like Janmashtami, Nirjala Ekadashi, Ramnavami, Diwali, and Geeta Jayanti.

Next, explore Junagarh Fort, a site of historical significance with its origins dating back to an old stone fort built by Rao Bika in 1478. The current structure began construction in 1589 under Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner. The fort premises include well-built palaces and temples made of marble and red sandstone, showcasing the architectural expertise of the bygone era. The Junagarh Fort Museum exhibits manuscripts, miniature paintings, royal costumes, jewels, farmans (royal orders), costumes, portrait galleries, enamelware, headgear and dresses of deities, silver, palanquins, howdahs, and war drums.

Next, visit Devi Kund, a royal crematorium featuring elegantly built chhatris (cenotaphs) that narrate stories of the bravery and chivalry of the deceased members of the Bikaji Dynasty. The cenotaphs dedicated to the royal rulers are built in white with their names engraved on a stone slab positioned vertically in the middle. Those dedicated to the royal wives feature a horizontally placed plaque with footprints. There are also cenotaphs dedicated to royal children who met premature deaths, each a masterpiece of architectural excellence.

Finally, visit the Sadul Singh Museum, housed within the Lalgarh Palace. The museum exhibits an extensive range of rare artifacts, hunting trophies, and Georgian paintings, and is dedicated to the great kings of Bikaner: Maharaja Ganga Singh, Sadul Singh, and Karni Singh. After the tour ends, you will be dropped back at your hotel.