Bikaner Camel Fair or Bikaner Camel Festival is an event organized every year in Bikaner in Rajasthan by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture. Bikaner Camel Festival happens in January month which Bikaner celebrates in honor of the ‘Ship of the Desert’, the Camel. This fair is one of the most famous festivals in Bikaner compared to others in Rajasthan. The event mainly includes spectacular camel performances like camel dances, camel races, neck-shaking camel rides, etc.
Dates for Bikaner Camel Festival 2024
Bikaner Camel Festival is celebrated every year in the pleasant weather of January. In 2024, the festivities start on 11th January and conclude on 12th January 2024.
Tickets for Bikaner Camel Fair
Bikaner Camel Festival is open to the public and anyone can come and be a part of this colourful celebration.
Travel Tips for Camel Festival in Bikaner 2024
January could get really chilly in Bikaner, especially late in the evenings till early. Therefore, it is advisable to pack enough warm clothes. Also, carry sunscreen lotions to protect your skin from the sun. When in Bikaner, one of the top things to do is visit Junagadh Fort, which forms the backdrop of the Bikaner Camel Festival.
History of Bikaner Camel Festival
This yearly event is dedicated to the tough animals surviving the harsh desert conditions. The festival was organized as an initiative by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture of the Rajasthan Government. Camels and the Bikaner have a long association. Since the era of the founder of the city Rao Bika Ji, Bikaner has been the only camel breeding region. The gentle beasts raised here have been enrolled even in the army. The camel corps is known as “Ganga Risala” and have served in the world wars and Indo-Pak wars. The Indian army still maintains a regiment where these brave animals loyally serve in the Border Security Force.
Celebration of Camel Fair in Bikaner
The Camel Festival in Bikaner is a two-day affair. The festivities start with a colorful parade of beautifully adorned camels against the backdrop of majestic Junagarh Fort. Enjoy the spectacular displays of camels dressed in vibrant bridles, traditional necklaces, and heavy anklets showing off wonderful footwork to the lovely tunes on desert sands. Also, witness the array of camel race events, camel games, and other cultural performances. Hundreds and thousands of tourists and locals revel in this traditional festival. Feel absolute pleasure in the delightful ambiance.
Though the festival is exclusively organized to glorify the camels, the traditional Rajasthani folk dance performances and music add largely to the charm of this festival. The fascinating Fire Dance adds glamor to the festivities. The ambiance of the fair inspires fire dancers to perform brilliant acts. Their skills and the shows are nothing short of spectacular. The melodies of folk music are a soothing sensation that world its charm mesmerizing all those whole hear it. The puppet shows are also amazing. The colorful attired puppet dolls narrate intriguing local folklores. The festival concludes with a spectacular firework display that illuminates the skies of Bikaner.
The Bikaner Camel Fair allows you to indulge in the unique camel milk sweetmeats and camel milk tea. The local Rajasthani dishes are appetizers for all food lovers. Check out the stalls in the markets which offer exquisite handicrafts, jewelry, pottery, and rare delights.
Sightseeing Place Around Bikaner, Rajasthan
After visiting the Camel Fair in Bikaner, you might want to explore some of the city’s other attractions. The Junagarh Fort stands out due to its intricate stone carvings that adorn the red and gold-colored sandstones. Then there is Devi Kund, a collection of cenotaphs (chattris) that showcase an amazing blend of Rajputana and Islamic styles of architecture. Kote Gate, the main entrance gate of Bikaner, separates the old city from the new.
Bhandasar Jain Temple is an excellent Jain architecture dedicated to Sumatinath, the fifth Tirthankara of Jainism. Prachina Cultural Center & Museum is one of the main storehouses of the historical objects and ancient artifacts of Bikaner. Deshnok Temple, also known as Deshnok Karni Mata Temple, is dedicated to Karni Mata and is famous as the temple where rats are venerated. Ganga Government Museum, founded by Maharaja Ganga Singhji, showcases items ranging from terracotta objects to medieval musical instruments. Shiv Bari Temple stands out for its architectural features like pavilions, domes, and columns.
How to Reach Bikaner
By Air
To reach Bikaner, the nearest airport is Jodhpur International Airport. The city lies 235 kilometers from the air terminal. Domestic and international flights connect the city to destinations all over the world. Once you reach the airport, you can easily access Bikaner by road. Some several buses and taxis ply this route. You can avail any of these facilities to reach the camel city.
By Rail
Bikaner is served by two railway stations; Bikaner Junction and Lalgarh Railway Station. Both the stations are located at a distance of approximately 6 km away from the central city and are well-connected with most Indian towns. There are frequent trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur, and other important cities in India.
By Road
By Road, Bikaner is well connected to every city in Rajasthan, the capital city of Delhi, and other important cities. Frequent buses of the state transports, AC deluxe buses, sleeper coaches, taxis, and private vehicles ply the route.
