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Bikaner
Bikaner (IPA: [biːkaːneːɾ] ) is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated approximately 330 kilometres (205 mi) northwest of the state capital, Jaipur, in the Thar Desert region of western Rajasthan. Bikaner serves as the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. Formerly the capital of the princely Bikaner State, the city was founded in 1488 CE by Rao Bika, a Rajput chief of the Rathore dynasty. 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, facilitated its development.
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WBP almanac
From Wikipedia
3,058 words · source ↗WBP editorial
Desert‑city rhythm
Bikaner’s calendar is dictated by the sand. Early mornings see the city’s bazaars humming as traders unload spices, cumin and the famed bhujia from camel‑back loads before the heat settles. By mid‑day, most shops shut their shutters and the streets cool under the shade of historic havelis, allowing locals to indulge in a languid lunch of dal baati churma. Evening brings a subtle revival: rooftop tea stalls open, offering steaming cup of masala chai as the desert sky blushes pink. Timing your stroll to this cadence lets you witness a living balance between commerce, cuisine and the quiet patience of a community accustomed to the arid pulse.
Beyond the forts – culinary cartography
While the forts dominate guidebooks, the true map of Bikaner unfurls through its food lanes. Venture past the tourist precinct into the narrow lanes of the Old City, where street‑side vendors serve fresh, hand‑rolled papad and fiery mirchi vada. A short walk from the main market lies a century‑old sweet shop whose jalebi is glazed with a hint of saffron, a subtle nod to the city’s historic trade links with Persia. Pair these snacks with a glass of locally distilled bhang lassi — a fermented dairy drink that, despite its modest reputation, carries a surprising complexity reminiscent of nearby villages’ dairy traditions.
Railway hub with a twist
Bikaner’s railway station, a colonial‑era edifice, functions as a modest but efficient gateway to the Thar. Trains arriving from Delhi or Jaipur are frequently delayed by sandstorms, which turn the platform into a temporary exhibition of wind‑blown dunes. Travelers who embrace the wait can explore a small, unattended museum in the station’s waiting hall, displaying artefacts from the former princely state, including a miniature portrait of Rao Bika. This unheralded glimpse into regional heritage provides context that enriches a simple transit stop, turning a mundane layover into an informal history lesson.