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Known for its excellent riding camels and exciting desert safaris, Bikaner is rightfully called the "Camel Country." Found in the northwestern sector of the Indian state Rajasthan, it forms the so-called Thar Desert Triangle tourist attraction, along with the cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer - making it a favorite haunt of adventurers. It is also famed for its exquisite havelis (mansions) and rich cultural heritage, providing the impetus for its burgeoning tourist industry.
Probably the highlight of any visit to Bikaner is its impressive Juganarh Fort, which the locals are proud to say has never been captured even once throughout its long history. Built by the Raja Rai Singh, one of the former Bikaner royalty, it dates back to the 15th century and is an impressive fusion of different architectural styles that Rai Singh encountered during his extensive travels in the continent. The fort complex also includes magnificent palaces made of red sandstone and marble, such as the Ganga Niwas, Rang Mahal, and Anup Mahal. The temple, Har Mandir, and a museum featuring a collection of period weapons and ornaments are also within the embrace of the fort.
Another attraction in the city is the grand Laxmi Niwas Palace that once served as the seat of power for the former Bikaner king Maharaja Ganga Singh. Its architecture brandishes a distinct Indo-Saracenic style, partly because it was designed in 1902 by a British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. Fashioned entirely out of red sandstone, it has largely been preserved, and now functions as a luxurious hotel.
There is also the Lalgarh Palace, a tasteful fusion of the Rajput, Mughal, and European styles of architecture. Currently the residence of the Bikaner royal family, it houses a museum, as well as a massive library that is deemed the fourth largest on the planet. For a bizarre experience, one can head to the infamous Karni Mata Temple, wherein devotees actually worship the rats that live in the temple. Legend has it that its ruling deity, Karni Mata, is a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Durga who incarnated her favorite storytellers - the rats themselves. Because of this, the rats are protected and treated with the utmost respect: anyone who kills a rat is obliged to replace it with an image made out of pure gold.
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