If ever beauty has bloomed in a desert, it has been at Bikaner. Founded in 1488 AD by Rao Bika Ji, it is located in the North Western part of Rajasthan. The magnificent forts and palaces and beautiful and richly sculptured temples created with delicacy in reddish-pink sandstone, bear testimony to the rich historical and architectural legacy of Rajput civilization. Bikaner has a fort with some of the finest interiors in India and exquisitely painted Jain temples. The city is dotted with scores of sand dunes and retains the medieval grandeur that permeates its lifestyle. Bikaner stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a seven km long embattled wall with five gates. Its strategic location on the ancient caravan routes that came from West and Central Asia made Bikaner a prime trading center. Bustling lanes, colorful bazaars with bright and cheerful folks make Bikaner an interesting city.
