Thar Desert





The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a desert located in western India and southeastern Pakistan. It lies mostly in the Indian state of Rajasthan, and extends into the southern portion of Haryana and Punjab states and into northern Gujarat state. In Pakistan, the desert covers eastern Sind province and the southeastern portion of Pakistan's Punjab province. In Pakistan's Punjab province it is known as the Cholistan Desert. Tharparker District of province Sindh Pakistan is also a part of Thar desert. Tharparker Total area is about 20000 sq km. The Thar Desert is bounded on the northwest by the Sutlej River, on the east by the Aravalli Range, on the south by the salt marsh known as the Rann of Kutch (parts of which are sometimes included in the Thar), and on the west by the Indus River. Its boundary to the large thorny steppe to the north is ill-defined. Depending on what areas are included or excluded, the nominal size of the Thar can vary significantly.
Bikaner

Distance (K.M.)

Time taken in hours

Height above sea level

Temperature

Clothing

From Jaipur –321 kilometers

8 hrs.

237m

Max. -41.8(summers)

Min.-5.0(winters)

Cottons in summers

Woolens in winters










Situated in the north of Rajasthan, the walled city of Bikaner is famous for its sky touching forts, camel safaris, citadels and the well-known camel festival. This desert city was one of the most important trade centers for the traders of west-central Asia due to its geographical location. On the border of India and Pakistan, Bikaner is also popularly known for its Mata kali temple and the worship of thousands of holy rats in the temple.

Founded in 1488 by a Rathore Prince, Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Rao Jodhaji, Bikaner has a glorious past to tell. Being near to the city of Delhi, it withstood numerous foreign invasions including that of Mughals and British. The city boasts of the courage of the sons of this land. They fought a number of wars with the invaders to keep the region free from the foreign rule.

Bikaner situated in the midst of the desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer temperature exceeds 45 °C and during winter it dips to freezing point. The coordinates for Bikaner, India are 28°3’N, 73°12’E, and its altitude is 750 ft.

Desert in Bikaner
How to Reach Bikaner is well connected by Rail, Road & Air. It is 470 km from New Delhi and 321 Km from Jaipur. Places of Interest The main Tourist spots in and near Bikaner are

  • Junagarh


    Junagarh Fort
    This fort was built by Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled form 1571 to 1612. Raja Rai Singhji could Marshal the revenues of a kingdom increased by the conquest of half Marwar and grant of half Gujrat and made use of ample funds from Jodhpur and Western Deccan for the construction of this fort. A contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar and Emperor Jehangir, he held a very high rank in the Imperial court. As a reward for this services as military commander, he was granted fields of Gujrat and Burhanpur by the Emperor. During his tenure in imperial service he traveled far and wide which gave him vision and great ideas about art and architecture and we can see how meticulously these ideas were incorporated in the architectural styles of his building in Junagarh fort.

  • Lallgarh Palace

    The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881-1942) in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh between 1902 and 1926. This magnificent palace is an example of pure Rajput martial architecture. Designed by Sir Swinton Jacob, this palace has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. The exotic palace has magnificent pillars, richly carved fire mantles, Italian colonnades and motif of lotus in full bloom, adding to the magic of this jewel of the desert. Walls of palaces are reminiscent of the past vintage etchings, hunting trophies and old portraits.

    The treasure trove where the guests can spend hours 'walking in the past'. The palace has its own museum and library (the fourth largest in the world), clay pigeon trap and skeet shooting traps facilities at adjoining ranges. Palace has wild peacocks spreading their feathers at almost every step flowering rows of bougainvillea. Bikaner royal family still lives in part of the palace. A portion of palace is now a hotel

  • Shiv bari Temple
  • Ratan Bihari Temple
  • Laxminath Temple

    Lakshmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples of Bikaner. The foundation of Bikaner was laid here in the year 1488 A.D. by Rao Bikaji. It being a historical monument has special identity. This temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and boasts of the superb archeological skills of artists and artisans . It was later develpoed by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji. Statues of deities- Vishnu and Laxmi - have all along received the unwavering devotion of countless people through the last four and half centuries.

  • Bhandasar Jain Temple
  • Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
  • Camel Research Farm
  • Kolayat

    Kolayat is a famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni (saint) Kapil Muni sat in meditation near lake

  • Karni Mata Mandir

    30 Km south from Bikaner on the road of Jodhpur, stands a little town-DESHNOK , is known for the shrine of Karni Mata, who is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

  • Gajner Wild life Sanctuary
  • Devi Kund Sagar
  • Kalibangan
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