Things to do in Rajasthan

Take a camel safari into the desert, visit the famous Rat Temple, or get lost in the old city streets of Bikaner.

The desert city of Bikaner is located in the state of Rajasthan in northern India. This city is home to an impressive fort, several temples, winding streets and havelis of the old city, and camels, camels, camels. Perhaps the best time of year to visit is December/January when the annual Camel Festival takes place.

Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple)

About thirty kilometers from the city of Bikaner (a distance easily traveled by public bus), is Deshnoke, which holds one of the most popular and unique sites around. The Karni Mata temple is home to many rats, whom are respected and worshiped by those that come to the temple. These rats are said to be reincarnated family members of the goddess Karni Mata.

It can be a strange experience for foreign tourists to walk barefoot in the temple with rats scampering all around, but it is definitely a unique experience for those willing to set aside pre-conceived notions and immerse themselves in the local culture. This is the true charm of holidays to Rajasthan

Bhandasar Jain Temple

There are several temples located within the walls of Bikaner’s old city, but the Bhandasar Jain temple possesses some unique qualities. The foundation of this temple was made with butter. That’s right... butter. Supposedly, over forty-thousand kilos of butter were used in place of water to mix the cement for the foundation. Now, over five-hundred years later, small brown stains on the marble floors of the base level are said to be oil from the butter seeping through.

The interior walls of the temple are painted with designs and various scenes. Some of the scenes show punishments being doled out to those who have committed sins, such as adultery, theft, harm to animals, harm to nature, promiscuity, disrespect toward parents, etc. The upper level of the temple offers a great view of the city. The temple priest is quite friendly, and he happily walks newcomers around to discuss the history and meaning of the temple. You can also get full details of Rajasthan holiday packages.

Junagarh Fort

The Junagarh Fort, started in 1589, has been available to the public since 1963, when donated by Maharaja Dr. Karni Singhji. There is a lot to see at this interesting fort, and it should be visited with a guide. Audio guides are available for those who prefer going at their own pace.

The journey through the fort leads visitors through many interesting and decorative halls and rooms. There is much attention to detail seen in the painted walls and ceilings, unique doors, and carved screens. There are opportunities to climb to higher sections of the fort, overlooking the gardens and the city beyond the fortress walls. The final part of the tour includes large displays of weaponry, coaches, and a restored plane from World War I.

National Research Center for Camels

The camel research center is located about 10 kilometers from the city center. Visitors can visit the center for a low price, and are free to wander around as they please. The best time to go is after 3:30 pm, when large groups of camels return from grazing. The camels come running in, females first, and head straight to the water trough. Once they have quenched their thirst, the camels head off to the appropriate pens. They do all of this seemingly on their own, as they each know exactly where they belong. Those with a strong passion for camels, or those who just want to have a good time, might be interested in the annual Camel Festival held in Bikaner every winter. So what are you waiting for just head towards the desert and book camel safari in Rajasthan.