Rajasthan Travel and Tourism

Eighty Four Pillared Cenotaph

An amazingly magnificent memorial with 84 pillars in a single cenotaph along with a Shiva lingam. It was erected by Rao Anirudh.

Shikar Burj

The royal hunting lodge set amidst the lush surroundings. It is a favorite picnic spot.

Kshar Bagh

An ancient garden near the Shikar Burj with beautiful chhatris of the Bundi rulers and their queens - all examples of the town’s rich architecture. (Prior permission required for visit.)

Devi Kund (8km)

A royal crematorium with several ornamented cenotaphs or “chhatris’ built in the memory of the Bika dynasty rulers. Maharaja Suraj Singh chhatri is the most impressive of all creative entirely in white marble with spectacular Rajput painting on the ceiling.

Keoladeo National Park

Once the royal hunting preserve of the princes of Bharatpur, it is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world inundated with over 400 species or water Dims. Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet as well as Siberian cranes from the Arctic, greyleg geese from Siberia and bareheaded geese from China, come here in July/Aug to spend the winters in the warmer climate and they breed till Oct/Nov.

Colonies of cormorants, spoonbills, storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ebis and grey herons can be spotted all over the park. The raised paths camouflaged by babul trees make their viewing easier.

Puskhar Fair

It is one of the most colorful fairs of India. Lakh of pilgrims throng the lake during the annual cattle fair. Beside trading of horse camels, cows and bulls, there are exciting camel-cart races and cultural cents, clothes household items and leather goods are for sale during the fair on the full moon of Kartik (Nov.), pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake.

Camel Research Farm (8km)

Spend a day with indispensable ship of the desert at their camel research and breeding centre-one of its kind in Asia. Timing 15.00hrs to 17.00hrs (Closed on Sundays and government holidays) Photography prohibited. The farm extends over 2000 acres of semiarid land is managed by the central Government. The camel crops of Bikaner were a famous fighting force during the Raj and are still an important part of the desert warfare and defence through the border security Force (BSF).

Pushkar Lake (11km)

The lake, situated on the edge of desert and surrounded by hills on the three sides is separated from Ajmer by Nag Pahar-the snake mountain. On this mountain the Panchkund and the cave of saint Agastya are located. It is believed that Kalidasa the 4th century Sanskrit poet and playwright, choose the setting for its masterpiece “Abhigyana Shakuntalam” in this forest heritage. According to legend, the origin of Pushkar dates back to the time when Lord Brahma was on his way in search of a tranquil land to perform a “Yagna”, A lotus fell from the hand of the Lord into this valley. A lake spring upon this spot and was dedicate to him. A Brahma temple located here is a popular place of pilgrimage.

The Circuit House

The former British Residency, overlooking the artificial lake, Ana Sagar, has now been converted to the circuit House. The lake and the cenotaph and the shrine of the Hindu reformer Swami Dayanand, founder of the Arya Samaj movement in India, can be viewed from here.

Junagarh near Bikaner

Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Singh, a general in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful palaces within. These palaces, made in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, Kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure.

Jai Samand Lake (6km)

A beautiful artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1910 A.D. Popular spot for outings and picnics. During monsoons sprawling greenery all round makes it a visual treat. Easily accessible by road from Alwar.