Bikaner was founded in 1488 by Rao Bika — a younger son of the founder of Jodhpur. The city wealth is visible in the extraordinarily ornate havelis of the old city — some of the most elaborately carved merchant residences in India.
Places
Junagarh Fort
A fort built in 1593 by Raja Rai Singh on flat ground rather than a hill — unusual for Rajasthan. The fort has never been conquered. The complex contains 37 palaces, temples, and pavilions built over four centuries.
Timing: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Entry Fee: ₹300 (cash at counter)
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Bhandasar Jain Temple
A Jain temple built in the 15th century. The temple is known for its interior — the walls, pillars, and ceiling are covered in vibrant paintings and gold leaf work accumulated over five centuries. One of the finest examples of medieval Jain temple art in Rajasthan.
Timing: Open daily, 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Old City Havelis
The old city of Bikaner contains a concentration of ornately carved sandstone havelis (merchant mansions) built in the 19th and early 20th centuries by wealthy trading families — the Rampuria, Kothari, Daga, and Vaidya families among others.
Timing: Open daily, Sunrise to Sunset
Entry Fee: No entry fee for street-level viewing
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Karni Mata Temple
A temple dedicated to Karni Mata — a 14th-century mystic revered as an incarnation of Durga — located 30 km south of Bikaner. The temple is home to approximately 25,000 rats (kabbas) which are considered sacred and are fed and protected.
Timing: Open daily, 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Getting There
Bikaner is connected by rail and has a domestic airport. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.
Bikaner — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands
Rail Stations: Bikaner Junction (BKN)
Airport: Bikaner Airport (BKB)
Bus Terminals: Bikaner Central Bus Stand
By Train
Search "Bikaner" as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). A city may have multiple railway stations — select the main one (usually named after the city) and choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.
By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo and Alliance Air.
By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus or AbhiBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (RSRTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.
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