Bikaner Travel Guide

Bikaner Temples

Karni Mata Temple
Karni Mata Temple offer prayers to the Mata herself, on this occasion, which falls on the 9th day of Navratra. The fair is held twice a year - April / May, October / November. The festival is celebrated with distinct religious flavour. It attracts large number of crowd and devotees from all over to attend this fair.

Sandeshwar Temple
There are two very interesting Jain temples here, the Sandeshwar and Bhandeshwar temples, said to have been built by two wealthy merchant brothers in the 14th century. Sandeshwar Temple is a minor masterpiece dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara, Neminath. Its interiors are ablaze with enamel and gold-leaf frescoes and leaf work sorcery. The ceiling is vaulted, arched and ornately decorated. At one end is a statue of Neminath meditating on a lotus pedestal, beneath which are rows of wonderful marble statue of other Jain saints.

Bhandrasar Jain Temple
A rich businessman namely "Bhanda shah" built it, in 1628 A.D. and was dedicated to the sixth lord of Jainism (Lord Sumatinath) the temple is one of the most bewatching and elegant structures. It comprises three stroies. Relevant information about it is as follows

Ground Floor
It is the main portion of the temple and looks like a vaulted hall. In the middle of tha5t hall a silver throne is kept (about 2 feet in height) Next to the throne there is one chamber where marble statue of Lord Sumatinath is placed. In that chamber gilded leaf work of floral design is seen. That work is typical art of Muslim artisans who are known as 'Usta', the great masters of painting and art.

There are two typesof pollars on the ground floor, one with white colour and painted with floral design, second with cmbossed sculptures of males and females of madieval India. The embossed figures of dancing women in their traditional dresses are especially beautiful. See the art of the sculptures and appresiate their bearty. The floor of the main hall is made of white marble tiles and these tiles were imported from Italy. The ground follr has seversl murals of Jainism. You are recommended to see that. Bikaner vacations.

First Floor
There is one gate in the side of the main hall of the ground floor, which leads to the first and second floors. There is nothing interesting on the first floor so keep moving to the second floor

(You may see the steps to the second floor when you get to the first floor.)

Second Floor
It is the top of the temple where a statre of the Lord is housed. Though the statue is not so artistic, yet the balconied of the temple will give you birds' view of the old city. Open the door to the first balcont and see the sight of another famous temple of the old city that is known as "Laxminathji Temple".

In English language it means, temple of Lord Vishnu. (Lord Vishnu is the creator of the universe accouding to Hindu mythology.) This temple was built by the third ruler of Bikaner State, his highness Lunkaran Shing who ruled these state during 1504 to 1526A.D. Since the construction of the temple, it has been the contre of religiors gaith for the local people. Bikaner vacations.

It you open the gate of the second balcony then you may see the embattled wall of the old city, It was constructed by Lord Gaj Shing, the 14th rular Bikaner state (1746-1787 A.D.) In those days Bikaner City was lomited within the range of the embattled wall (7 Square K.M.) The wall was pierced with five gates. The Kote gate wasthe main gate of the city. The city of Bikanergot expanded only when the British empire ended in india, In 1947 A.D. and up to 1991 this city incresed to the range of 18 square K.M.; that means three times bigger then in 1947 A.D.

The other historrican place you can see from the second balcony is the palace of his highness Bika. The first ruler of Bikaner State and that is the same fort, which was constructed by the consent of Deity Karan Ji.The third balcony of Jain temple, chows you nothing special so its refernce is not given.