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Bikaner

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Bikaner
Bikaner
city
Population
 (2001)
 • Total529,007

Bikaner is a city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District. It was formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner. The city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 and from its small origins it has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan. The Ganga Canal completed in 1928 and the Indira Gandhi Canal completed in 1987 have allowed the farming of crops such as mustard, cotton and wheat. Other industries include wool production and the mining of gypsum, plaster of Paris and bentonite.

History

Geography

Bikaner is located at 28°01′N 73°11′E / 28.01°N 73.19°E / 28.01; 73.19[1]. It has an average elevation of 243 metres (797 feet).

Transport

Bikaner is connected by Broad gauge to Kolayat, Bhatinda and Meita Road, and by Metre gauge to Jaipur.

Climate

Bikaner is situated in the middle of the Thar desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer, temperatures exceed 50 °C and during the winter it dips to freezing point.

Politics

Bikaner is a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency of Rajasthan.The Bollywood star Dharmendra is the current MP for Bikaner.

Culture

Princely flag of Bikaner

Bikaner is famous for its "Bikaneri Bhujia" and its sweets. Bikaneri Bhujia is a spicy snack made from moth dal, spices and edible oil. Bikaner is also known for its handicrafts and leather articles, for its palaces and for having Asia's biggest camel farm.

The city is also known for its intricately carved Jharokas. These stone screens are found on the windows of forts and havellis - traditionally, women would use the screens to watch the world while remaining hidden.

The red sandstone for these stone window screens is supplied by the nearby village of Dulmera.

Bikaner is also a centre for Usta Art. This centuries old technique is characterised by miniature paintings and gold embossing. The work is carried out on ceilings, pillars, walls, marble, wood, glassware, ivory and - perhaps most beautiful of all - on pieces of camel hide.

Fairs and festivals

  • Karni Mata fair
  • Gangaur
  • Kapil Muni fair
  • Camel festival: each January the state government organises a camel festival with camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidh people.
  • Aksaye Tritya or "AKKHA TEEJ": the foundation day of Bikaner. This was the day when Rao Bika laid the foundation of the new empire. Every year on this day people from across the social spectrum enjoy themselves by flying kites or "CHANDA". They also enjoy a special meal, such as "Khichra and Imlani".

Tourist Attractions (in Bikaner)

Tourist Attractions (near Bikaner)

Junagarh Fort

The fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, the sixth ruler of Bikaner who reigned from 1571 to 1612. Rai Singh had conquered part of Marwar and had been granted territory in Gujurat and Burhanpur by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a reward for his services as military commander. This, as well as funding from Jodhpur, enabled him to build the fort. Rai Singh held high rank in the imperial courts of both Akbar and his successor, Jehangir. During his imperial service he travelled extensively, giving him an appreciation of art and architecture. These ideas have been incorporated meticulously into the architectural style of Junagarh Fort.

Lalgarh Palace

The palace was built between 1902 and 1926 according to Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. The building was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881 - 1942) in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh and was designed by the British architect, Sir Swinton Jacob. It is coated in red sandstone and has several grand halls, lounges, cupolas and pavilions. The building features magnificent pillars, elaborate fire places, Italian colonnades and intricate latticework and filigree work. The palace houses the Shri Sadul Museum as well as the fourth largest library in the world. Though the Bikaner Royal Family still live in the palace, part of the building has been converted into a hotel operated by the WelcomHeritage Group.

Laxmi Nath Temple

Laxmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bikaner. The foundation of the city was laid here in 1488 by Rao Bikaji. The temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and was added to by Maharaja Ganga Singh.

Shiv Bari Temple

Built from red sandstone by Dungar Singh in the late 19th century, the temple is surrounded by a wall with battlements. It has a four faced black marble statue of Shiva and a bronze Nandi facing the Shiva Lingam. There are also two large reservoirs of water known as bawaris. The temple attracts thousands of visitors during Shravan (August) especially on Mondays.

Kolayat

Kolayat is a famous pilgrimage spot with a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni who, according to his devotees, sat in meditation near the lake.

Karni Mata Temple

The shrine of Karni Mata can be found in the town of Deshnoke 30 km south from Bikaner on the road to Jodhpur. Karni Mata is worshiped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga.

Demographics

According to the 2001 India census [2], Bikaner had a population of 529,007. Males constituted 53% of the population and females 47%. Bikaner has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 74% and female literacy of 57%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education in Bikaner

Bikaner is growing as a big centre for education. Good schools and coaching facilities provide students with plenty of opportunities.

The notable Universities and colleges:

For notable schools see List of schools in Bikaner, Rajasthan

Notable people from Bikaner

References

  • Patnaik, Naveen. (1990). A Desert Kingdom: The Rajputs of Bikaner. George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd., London.
  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bikaner
  2. ^ Template:GR

Pt. Ashukaran Goswami INDER CHAND DUGAR(PRESIDENT NGO'S) LOON KARAN CHHAJER(JOURNALIST) JATAN LAL DUGAR(SOCIAL LEADER) HANSH RAJ DAGA (SOCIAL LEADER) DR.P.C.TATER (PRINCIPAL) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (born January 29, 1970 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan) is a shooter who won India's first individual silver medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics. His event was the Men's Double Trap. In 2005 Commonwealth Shooting Championships in Melbourne, he was the member of the winning team in the double trap event. He won the gold in the individual and team events in Men's double trap at the 2005 Asian Clay Shooting championships at Bangkok. The gold in the individual event was the third consecutive one for Rathore at the annual events after the ones in 2003 and 2004, thus constituting a hat trick.

He is a Lt. Colonel in the Indian Army.An alumnus ofNational Defence Academy ,Khadakwasla Pune(N.D.A.)

He won the Arjuna award in 2003-2004 for shooting and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour of India, in 2004-2005.

He is a recipient of the Padma Shri, a civilian award from the Government of India, and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), a non-gallantry award for exceptional service, presented by the government. He is the first officer (from the Indian Army) below the rank of brigadier to be awarded the AVSM.

http://libraryataglance2000-2004.blogspot.com http://librariandesk.blogspot.com http://listsofcurrentjournalsskncoajobner.blogspot.com

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