Bikaner – Mysterious City
Bikaner is a beautiful city located in the northwest region of Rajasthan state of India, it is located approximately 330 Kms miles from the state capital Jaipur, and Bikaner city is also the administrative headquarters of Bikaner district.
Formerly used to be the capital of the princely state of Bikaner and this beautiful city was founded by Sri Rao Bika ji within 1488, and from its small origins, Ganganagar has developed into the fourth largest city of Rajasthan, completed in 1928. And the Indira Gandhi Canal was completed in 1887 and helped in its development
History
Bikaner was also known as Jangladesh before 15th Century and was ruled by Rajput rulers at that time. In 1486 Rajput ruler Sri Rao Bikaji built this place where Rao Bikaji wanted it.
The place was wanted by a Nehra Jatt who agreed to give this land to the king on this condition that the name of this place would not be changed and that the King had also accepted the same, hence the name of this place was kept Bikaner.
Rao Bika was the first son of Rao Jodha that is why he wanted to build his kingdom and that is why he built the present Bikaner because it was in the middle of the Thar Desert and hence it served as an oasis between Gujarat coast and Central Asia Was on the trade route.
Rao Bikaji had built a magnificent fort in this region in 1478, which we know today as Junagadh.
Rao Bikaji gave Bikaner new heights, but whatever major development took place in Bikaner after the death of Rao Bika was there during the reign of Raja Rai Singh Ji who ruled here till 1571 AD 1611 AD. Raja Rai Singh ji won many wars, one of which the Mewar kingdom and it was received awards from the Mughal emperors including Gujarat and Burhanpur. Rai Singh built Junagadh Fort at an altitude of 707 feet.
Maharaja Karan Singh ruled the place from 1631 AD till 1639 AD and during his reign, he also built the famous Karan Mahal Palace, The palace was modified later by the succeeding rulers.
Maharaja Anup Singh ruled from 1669 AD till 1698 AD and added a zanana quarter to the palace which was a residence for women of the royal family. Karan Mahal was renovated by Anup Singh into the “Deewane-a –aam ” and was renamed, Anoop Mahal.
Chandra Mahal was renovated by Maharaja Gaj Singh, who ruled from 1746 AD till 1787 AD.
Maharaja Suraj Singh was ruling in Bikaner in 1818 and during his reign, Bikaner came under the rule of the British. After this, Junagadh fort was rebuilt and a lot of money was put on it. Maharaja Ganga Singh who built the Ganga Niwas Palace of the famous Ganga Mahal, one of the favourite princes of the British Viceroy, was designed by Sir Samuel Jacob. He named this palace Lalgarh Palace and shifted his royal residence from Junagarh to Lalgarh.
Historical Places
Junagarh Fort
This is a grand structure. Bikaner city developed around it, for this it was initially known as Chintamani Fort but in the twentieth century, the name of this fort was changed from Chintamani to Junagarh or Old Fort.
Rao Bikaji laid the foundation stone of Junagarh Fort in 1478 AD, although it existed like a stone fort. Junagarh was inaugurated on 17/02/1589. Apart from having a rich history, Junagarh district is also an achievement of architecture.
All the palace, gardens, Balcony that remains inside this fort, show various architectural styles, because all the rulers who ruled for this, according to their culture, construction was done so this fort is a fort of many culture civilizations.
Due to the magnificence and architecture of the Junagarh Fort, this fort seems to be its dominant place in Rajasthan even today and thousands of visitors come here every year.
Inside the Junagarh fort, you will find a Hindu temple, mosque and many beautiful Havelis.
Karni Mata Temple
The famous Karni Mata Temple of Bikaner, also known as “Nari Mandir” or “Rat Mandir”, this temple is 600 years old in the small town of Deshnok in Rajasthan, which is about 28 km from Bikaner, the unique thing about this temple is that about 25,000 black rates lived in this temple and worshiped in it. The food eaten by them is considered holy and later they are served as Prasad.
These holy Rats are also known by the name of “Kabbas” and people come from abroad to visit them and there are so many stories about the Rats living here.
The temple of Karni Mata is also famous for its architecture which is influenced by the Mughal style of construction. The beautiful temple is made of a magnificent marble mouthpiece and marble carvings and further adds to the charm of the place although the whole concept of this temple It may look strange for some. It is something no one should never miss out.
Legend of Karni Mata Temple
There are many types of stories about the Karni Mata temple, but the famous story according to which Lakshman who was the step-son of Karni Mata was once drinking water in the Kapil Sarovar pond of Kolayat Tehsil and died there due to drowning. Mata prayed to Yama, the god of death, Prabhu refuses at first but in the last rebirth of Lakshmana and all the children of Mata Karni as Rats.
Another one legend, according to some local folklore is that a 20,000 strong army abandoned a nearby battle and came running to Deshnoke. Upon learning, the sin of abandonment follows death punishment; they search for Karni Mata’s protection. She spared their lives but turned them into rats, and offered the temple as a future place to stay. The army of soldiers expressed their thankfulness and promised to serve Karni Mata forever.
Rats and Karni Mata Temple !!
The, 25000 black and white Rats that live here are all considered sacred and are worshiped. Rats are allowed to move freely around the temple. These small creatures are visible through the cracks in the marble-covered walls and floors. And go through the bare feet of the devotees
If a rat is accidentally killed by a devotee, then as a punishment for this crime, it is necessary to dedicate it to the temple by making it a golden rat equal to the weight of that rat and it is considered particularly auspicious to raise a white rat and People from all four sides take sweets out of their territory and wait for their Darshan.
Interesting Facts about the Karni Mata Temple
While there are many myths related to the temple, the Charin clan or the people of the Charan caste consider rats to be their ancestors and hence worship them as well. They also think that after their death, they too will be incarnated into Rat and come to this temple. The show is not allowed inside this temple and Rats are considered auspicious to walk on their feet, do not step on them as they are considered religious.
Grain or milk sung by Rats is considered as Prasad and is considered to bring good fortune.
There are around 4 White rats in this temple and come across a white rat is considered very fortunate because it is believed that it is Karni Mata and her sons who are reincarnated as Rat.
How To Reach Karni Mata Temple
There are many ways to reach Karni Mata temple from Bikaner. The temple is located on NH 89, 30 kilometers south of Bikaner. This temple can be reached from regular buses from Bikaner and Jodhpur. You can also take a taxi from Bikaner.
Kodamdesar Bheruji Temple
Kodamdesar Bheruji was established by Rao Bika Ji, the founder of Bikaner. This temple is a symbol of faith and holds a very important place for Hindus today. It is said that Bheru Ji originated from the middle place between eyebrows and he is also called Shiva’s third eye, hence Lord Bheruji is also considered to be an incarnation of Shiva.
Kodamdesar Bheruji was built by Rao Bikaji, who was also the founder of Bikaner. Rao Bikaji belonged to the royal family of Jodhpur and he left his royal family in 1465 AD to establish his kingdom. He laid the foundation of this temple 3 years before his arrival and started his worship but later this temple was transferred at its present place.
The Kodamdesar temple is said to have been dedicated to Lord Bheru ji, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the lord Bheru mean Bhruguti which means the place between the eyebrows from where he was born, is also the fiery form of Lord Shiva. Kodamdesar’s temple is the first of all the installations built by Rao Bikaji. The temple is fully open, no doors or rooms have been built in the center. There is a big statue in the center of the temple which is of Lord Bherunath and around it is a big marble platform has been built, in this temple, you will be seen in the presence of dogs and it is said that the dog is Bheru’s vehicle and there is always near him.There is also a small beautiful pond behind this temple where you can see the birds and people also feed the fish here.
There are many small shops and startups outside the temple, where you can take the essential items that you can take to the temple and leave your shoes over there, after visiting the temple, you can have a light snack there.
The newly married couple visits this temple and receives their compassion from God and newborn children are brought here for hair offering ceremony.
SHRI MURLI MANOHAR GAUSHALA
Bikaner is a place where animals and birds living here are equally taken care of along with caring for mankind. In Bikaner, the cow is treated like a mother and is specially cared for.
The Murali Manohar Gaushala was constructed at some distance from Bikaner to take care of the stray and sick cows found in the city. There have been around 2500 cows and they are very lovingly taken care of and they are given a nutritious diet and Milk is extracted and sold in the surrounding villages, the income from milk is spent for the salvation of this cowshed.
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