Bikaner

This fort was built by Raja Rai Singhji, the sixth ruler of Bikaner, who ruled form 1571 to 1612 AD. It is protected by a 986-m long sandstone wall with 37 bastions, a moat and effectively by the forbidding expanse of the Thar desert. The fort was originally called Chintamaniand was renamed Junagarh or `Old Fort’ in the early 20th century when the ruling family moved to Lalgarh Palace outside the fort limits.

It is outside the walled towns and is a sprawling extravaganza of carved friezes, jalis, pillars and arches in the distinctive reddish pink local sandstone. One of the most impressive palaces constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singhji in the memory of his father in 1902 A.D, the Lalgarh Palace defies the bleak and rugged reality of the harsh Thar Desert around Bikaner. The Lalgarh palace is an imposing red sand stone palace and a hybrid architecture and mixture of different elements of Rajput, Muslim and European styles.

It is 9 km southeast of Bikaner and best visited in the late afternoon when camels return from grazing. It was set up in 1975, the farm breeds nearly half the camels found in India. The farm is complex of cables stables and enclosures and buildings. One can enjoy camel ride or ice cream made of camel milk. The farm permits tourists at certain hours of the day.