Origin of the name of the District :-
Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner, gave the District its first name Bika, the last name 'Ner' was added after the owner of the site 'Ner'. 'Ner' parted with his site on the condition that his name should be known with RaoBika and hence both combined and formed 'Bikaner'.
History :
Bikaner, before the arrival of Rao Bika, was a barren land called as Jungladesh. He beautified it and gave it a shape of a well planned city. Father of 17 seventeen sons, Rad Jodha was the father of Rao Bika.
Bikaner has also produced many Warriors and Rulers :-
Literature :
Bikaner played a leading role in introducing Bardir poetry in Rajasthan. the poets over here represent originality of expression and poetic favour of free India.People are widely known for their full enrollment in festive seasons . People here enjoy their life to fullest.Rav Lunkaran :
The heroic act of his time was that he had a war with Jaisalmer, in which he plunded Jaisalemer.Raja Rai Singh :
The eldest of Rao Kalyan Singh's son was born in 1541 A.D. He was in his honorable service to Akbar, the great.Maharaja Anup Singh :
The prince was given the title Maharaja for his meritorious services, Besides being the soldier of high courage, he was a great scholar of Sanskrit and regional language.Maharaja Dungar Singh :
He was the fist ruler to think to modernization Bikaner. He tried to furnish canal, irrigation, railway communication etc. He also proposed a broad gauge railway connecting bindh with Delhi via Jaisalmer . He installed electric power in 1886, when electricity was not very common in India.Maharaja Ganga Singh :
Maharaja Ganga Singh's long rule of 56 years witnessed the emergence of Bikaner state from small petty principality into one of the premier princely states of India. The Gang Canal, takes a place of pride amongst the number of contributions of Maharaja to the District. He also established a high court of judiciary. In this reign, hindi was reintroduced as the state language. Maharaja has also a full contribution in the establishment of Zenana Hospital.Maharaja Sadul Singh :
He declared the establishment of constitution Act for full Responsible Government in the state.Forts
Junagarh :
A fine art work of carved stones shows fabulous work done by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1611 AD) the famous sculpture was built between 1588-1593 AD by Karan Chand the minister of Rai Singh. It also contains palaces which give the fort an imposing look. The main entrance facing towards east is known as 'Karan Pol' Stones in excellent design adorn the palaces particularly in Ganga Niwas Durbar Hall. A large gate of Anup Mahal is famous for the decorations in Gold, a rare piece of Mural art. The important portions of palaces are- Phool Mahal,Chandra Mahal famous for mirror and carved marble, Gaj Mandir and Kacheri built by Maharaja Gaj Singh, Chhatra Mahal andchini Burj built by Maharaja Dungar Singh. Ganga Niwas called after and built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, the room consists of carved red stone, ceiling of carved wood and the floor of marble.
Lallgarh Palace :
This beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singhji with magnificent red stone in the loving memory of his father Lal singh ji. Highly carved work can also be seen in the main Porch of the palace, other attractions of the palace include expressive /impressive figures of animals, Gods and Godess. There is a well planned gardenwith a cool swimming pool with attractive lightning arrangements. The palace owns about a hundred suites and also has a library containing some rare books. A full-sized statue of Lal Singh Ji faces the palace. The most attractive part of the palace holds curly and sinuous tendrils.
In one part of the palace the royal family and a portion of the palace beholds the value of a 5 star Hotel with all beautiful works on stones.
Gajner Palace :
A prettiest spot which too belongs to Maharaha Ganga Singhji. The palace stands on the embankment of a lake. Its bank on one side is green and wooded while the other side is covered by imposing palace, wild bores/bears, black bucks and Chinkaras have their reserved place in the palace area which is surrounded by beautiful wooded area. It was actually famous for taking resort during summer specially for the members of the royal family. The Palace is built by splendid red stones with plenty of pillars and Kharokhas. The palace is now a seat of a comfortable Hotel and also a centre of attraction for the tourists.
FAIRS
Gangaur fair :
This is a festival of Hindu married as well as of unmarried women which is attributed to goddess Gauri, (the wife of lord Shiva). This festival starts next day of Holi and lasts for 18 days in which women get beautifully dressed with traditional clothes and jewellery and sing Geet 'Songs' of happiness. The idol of Gauri popularly known as 'Gawar' is beautifully dressed and is carried out from Junagarh Fort. Married women worship the Goddess for the long life of their husbands and the unmarried to pray to be blessed with good busband.
Karni Mata Fair :
The fair is celebrated twice a year during 'Navratra' firstly between March – April and secondly between Sept – Oct every year. It is celebrated in order to honour 'Karnimata', the deity of Rathods. An idol of the goddess has been placed at the temple of magnificent white marble built by Maharaja Suraj singh at Deshnok, nearly 30 Km. from Bikaner. The Rajputs and Charans perform their children's tonsure ceremony at the holy time of fair. Nine days of Navaratra are full of motivation and peace giving chanting of Mantras by the Pujaris and the devotees in order to please the Goddess to fulfill their desires.
Kolayat fair:
The fair is celebrated with full pomp and splendour during the full moon of Kartika which falls around Nov. The venue of the fair is 55 Km. from Bikaner, a sacred lake popularly K/A 'Kolayat'. The lake was actually the worshipping place of the saint Kapil Muni, the propounder of Sankhya. There are 52 ghats placed at the border of lake. A holy dip is considered to be good to wipe out all the sins at the time of Fair. Thousands of people visit the fair to see the glittering Lamps in water at the night time.
Nar Singh Chadurdashi :
It is held on Baisakh Sudi at the various famous Chowks of Bikaner. The fair depicts the full play wherein God in half lion and half human is in the form of Narsingh Avatar, who saves Prahalad from the tyranny of his father Hiranya Kashyapa by tearing his abdomen with his nails in the mid of day and night at the doorsteps.
FESTIVALS
Akha teej :
Akha Teej (kite festival)- foundation of Bikaner is the day for this festival sky remains full of kites of different colours, shapes,sizes and styles. Despite of scorching heat of April/May people fly kites with great enthusiasm. A special menu is all set for the festival day that is 'Khichda' prepared by the women on cooking by pounding wheat and millet, accompanied by Imli to remain cool and hot affect by heat while they fly kites on roof for day long on a hot summer day.
Raksha Bandhan :
It is a festival celebrated in the month of sawan i.e. July –August . In this festival sisters dress/tie up nicely sacred thread on the wrist of their brothers. The thread is tied with the belief that their brothers will protect them from every sort of hardship they face in their life. Raksha Bandhan is mainly to express the feeling of love and gratitude between brothers and sisters.
Janmanstami :
It is the day of the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day people make all the dishes of the liking of Lord Krishna 'Makhan' is the special offering given to Him. At 12'O clock mid night, a fake 'Kans' is killed by the people.
