Things to do in Bikaner, the unconquered Junagarh Fort, the famous Rat Temple, camel farm and old havelis. A local guide to Rajasthan’s underrated desert city.
Things to Do in Bikaner: A Local Guide to Rajasthan's Underrated Desert City
Most travellers race between Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer and skip the city in between. Their loss. Bikaner is the quiet one, a desert city of red sandstone forts, lavish merchant mansions, a temple full of sacred rats, and one of the world’s largest camel farms, all with a fraction of the crowds. It’s the kind of place that rewards the curious traveller, and once you’ve been, you understand why we keep sending people here.
This guide covers the essential things to do in Bikaner, the offbeat corners, and how to plan your time so this desert city gives you its best.
Junagarh Fort: the fort that was never conquered
The headline among Bikaner’s tourist attractions is Junagarh Fort, and it’s a remarkable one. Built in 1589 by Raja Rai Singh, a general in Emperor Akbar’s army, it’s one of the few major forts in Rajasthan built on flat ground rather than a hilltop and despite that, it was never conquered. Successive rulers added to it over the centuries, so today the complex holds more than 37 palaces, pavilions and temples.
Inside, the palaces are the draw: Anup Mahal with its gold leaf and mirror work, Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal and Karan Mahal, each layered with frescoes, carved stone and coloured glass. The museum is full of surprises too, including a World War I biplane gifted to the Bikaner state by the British. Plan on a couple of hours; it’s typically open 9 am to 5 pm. A good guide here transforms the visit the fort’s layered history and the stories behind each hall are easy to miss on your own.
Karni Mata Temple: the famous Rat Temple
About 30 km south in Deshnok sits the single most famous and most unusual of all Bikaner sightseeing places. The Karni Mata Temple is home to some 20,000 to 25,000 rats, known as kabbas, which are revered, fed and protected. Devotees believe these rats are the reincarnated souls of Karni Mata’s descendants, and that they will be reborn into her family.
It is genuinely unlike anywhere else. The temple itself is beautiful, white marble with intricately carved silver gates donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh and the experience is equal parts spiritual and surreal. Spotting a rare white rat is considered especially auspicious. It’s open roughly 5 am to 9 pm; you’ll walk barefoot, so go prepared, and treat it as the place of devotion it is rather than just a curiosity.
The National Research Centre on Camel
Bikaner and camels are inseparable, and the National Research Centre on Camel on the city’ outskirts is one of the world’s largest camel breeding and research farms. You can see different breeds, learn about desert camel husbandry, and even try camel-milk products. Mornings are best, when the animals are most active. It’s a genuinely family-friendly stop and one of the more 3unusual places of interest in Bikaner.
Rampuria Havelis: the pride of Bikaner
Among the most photogenic places to see in Bikaner, Rajasthan are the Rampuria Havelis, a cluster of grand merchant mansions in the old city, built by the wealthy Rampuria family. Carved from dusky red Dulmera sandstone, with windows and balconies in contrasting blue and green, they line narrow lanes that reward slow wandering. They’ve been called the “pride of Bikaner,” and seeing the craftsmanship up close is one of the best free things to do in the city.
Temples and palaces worth your time
A few more Bikaner visiting places round out the picture:
Bhandasar Jain Temple — A 15th-century Jain temple famous for its delicate frescoes and gold-leaf painting. Local lore says ghee was used in the foundation mortar.
Shri Laxminath Temple — The city’s principal Hindu temple, rich in marble carving and especially lively during festivals.
Lalgarh Palace — Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh and designed by British architect Samuel Swinton Jacob, a striking blend of Rajput, Mughal and European styles, now part heritage hotel,
part museum.
The Royal Cenotaphs (Devi Kund Sagar) — The elegant memorial chhatris of the Bikaner royal family, a quiet, atmospheric spot most visitors miss.
Things to do in Bikaner beyond the sights
Bikaner is also a city of flavour and craft. It’s the birthplace of Bikaneri bhujia, the spicy snack
now famous across India, and the old-city bazaars around Kote Gate are the place to taste it fresh, alongside kachori, sweets and a glass of lassi. The markets are also good for mojris (traditional leather shoes), textiles and handicrafts.
For something more hands-on, Bikaner sits in classic Thar Desert country, so a camel safari here is a quieter, less touristy alternative to Jaisalmer, scattered desert scrub and a real chance to see desert wildlife. And the city has a living craft tradition in miniature painting and Usta art (camel-hide gold work), the kind of artisan experience we love weaving into our journeys.
Places to visit near Bikaner
If you have extra time, the places to visit near Bikaner are worth the short drives. Gajner Palace and Lake, about 32 km away, is a serene former hunting lodge beside a lake and wildlife sanctuary, lovely for a half-day escape. Deshnok (the Rat Temple) is the obvious one. And Bikaner makes a natural staging post between the Golden Triangle and the desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur further south.
How long do you need? Planning your visit
Bikaner in 1 day: It’s very doable. Start early at Junagarh Fort, head to the camel research centre, then drive out to the Karni Mata Temple in the afternoon, and finish with the Rampuria Havelis and the Kote Gate bazaars at dusk. That covers the best places to see in Bikaner in a full, well-paced day.
Bikaner in 2 days: Two days lets you breathe. Day one for the fort, havelis and bazaars; day two for the camel centre, Karni Mata Temple, Bhandasar Jain Temple and a half-day at Gajner or a desert camel safari. This is the pace we’d recommend if Bikaner is more than just a stopover.
Because Bikaner sits between the Golden Triangle and the far western desert, it slots beautifully into a longer Rajasthan route. See how it connects on a Golden Triangle with Rajasthan tour, or talk to us to design your own itinerary that includes the desert north.
Why we suggest adding Bikaner to your journey
We’ll be honest: plenty of operators leave Bikaner off the map because it isn’t on the busiest tourist line. We include it on purpose, because it’s exactly the kind of place that changes how people feel about Rajasthan.
After the polish of Jaipur and the scale of Jaisalmer, Bikaner offers something rarer, a working desert city where the heritage hasn’t been smoothed over for visitors. The fort is unconquered and uncrowded, the havelis still stand on lived-in lanes, the camel farm is a genuine research institution, and the Rat Temple is unlike anything else on earth. You see Rajasthan with the volume turned down and the authenticity turned up.
What we care about is doing it thoughtfully. A good local guide makes Junagarh’s history come alive, knows how to approach the Karni Mata Temple respectfully, and can take you to the Usta-art and miniature-painting workshops that keep Bikaner’s craft heritage breathing. That’s the version of this city we love to share not a quick photo stop, but a real introduction to the desert’s quieter heart.
If that kind of slower, more authentic travel appeals to you, we’d love to help add Bikaner to a Rajasthan tour or design your own itinerary around the places that matter most to you.
Final thought
Bikaner asks a little more of the traveller and gives a lot back. Walk the unconquered fort, stand among the kabbas at Deshnok, watch the camels at dawn, and eat bhujia where it was invented. It’s Rajasthan without the crowds and that, increasingly, is the rarest luxury of all.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the famous thing in Bikaner?
Bikaner is famous for three things above all: the unconquered Junagarh Fort, the extraordinary
Karni Mata “Rat Temple” at Deshnok with its thousands of sacred rats, and Bikaneri bhujia, the spicy snack born here and now eaten across India. The city is also closely tied to camels, home to one of the world’s largest camel research and breeding centres.
What to do in Bikaner in 1 day?
With one day, start early at Junagarh Fort, then visit the National Research Centre on Camel, drive out to the Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok in the afternoon, and end with the Rampuria Havelis and the Kote Gate bazaars at dusk for bhujia and shopping. That single arc covers the city’s headline sights at a comfortable pace.
Is 2 days enough for Bikaner?
Two days is ideal. One day covers the fort, havelis and old-city markets; the second gives you time for the camel centre, the Rat Temple, the Bhandasar Jain Temple and a half-day at Gajner Palace and Lake or a desert camel safari. One day is enough to see the highlights, but two lets you enjoy Bikaner without rushing.
Is Bikaner worth visiting?
Very much so, especially if you want a quieter, more authentic side of Rajasthan. Bikaner sees
a fraction of the crowds of Jaipur or Jaisalmer, yet has a magnificent unconquered fort, unique temples, grand merchant havelis, a famous camel farm and superb desert cuisine. For travellers who like places that feel lived-in rather than polished for tourism, it’s one of Rajasthan’s most rewarding stops.
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Recommended Tours to Enhance Your Bikaner Experience
Bikaner offers a unique blend of royal heritage, desert landscapes, and vibrant local culture. We recommend these carefully selected tours to help you explore magnificent forts, historic palaces, traditional markets, camel experiences, and the authentic charm of Rajasthan. These experiences let you discover the stories, flavours, and traditions that make Bikaner truly unforgettable.
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