Camel Festival Bikaner

The Bikaner Camel Festival is one of the most vibrant traditional festivals of Rajasthan. The traditional charm of Rajasthan is evident in its festivals, and the grandeur of the state is reflected in its various fairs and celebrations.

Organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, this Camel Festival in Rajasthan is a yearly event. Held in the month of January, Bikaner celebrates this festival in honour of the ship of the desert, Camel. This Camel Festival of Bikaner attracts tourists from around the world. Let us give you a sneak peek into this colourful festival.

History of Bikaner Camel Festival

Dedicated to the most prominent animal of Rajasthan, the history of the festival goes back to several eras. The history of Camels and Bikaner goes back to the time of the founder of the city, Rao Bika Ji. Bikaner has been the only camel breeding region ever since and these gentle animals have also been joined in the Indian Army.
The camel forces are known as “Ganga Risala”. They also served during the world war and Indo-Pak war. Indian Army still sustains a battalion where these brave animals are the part of the Indian Border Security Force. Camels are the most important source of transport and livelihood, and this fair is an initiative to acknowledge their contribution.

Month of Celebration

The Camel Fair Bikaner is celebrated in the month of January, as the weather remains pleasant during this time of the year.

Tickets for the Fair

Bikaner Camel Festival is open to the public and anyone can come and be a part of this colourful celebration.

Celebration

The celebration of Bikaner Camel Festival goes on for two days. The celebration begins with a colourful parade of perfectly decorated camels, against the backdrop of the much famed Junagarh Fort.? The most interesting thing about the fair is that all the camels are dressed in a vibrant way, with traditional ornaments, stunning anklets and bridle. The Camel Fair of Bikaner organises several events, including the camel race events, camel games and other cultural programs that are quite popular among the travelers. Thousands of tourists and locals can be seen partaking at different activities and enjoying the celebration.

Major Attractions of the Fair

Apart from the glorious camel fair, the event also includes traditional Rajasthani performances like folk dance and music, adding to the charm of this festival. One of the major attractions is the Fire Dance. The entire aura of the fair is such that it inspires fire dancers to perform brilliant acts. There are also various puppet shows that embrace the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. The colorful attired puppet dolls narrate intriguing local folklores.

While at the fair, visitors can also indulge into the unique camel milk sweetmeats and camel milk tea. There are also a wide range of local Rajasthani dishes. Also, do not forget to check out the stalls in the markets offering exquisite handicrafts, jewelry, pottery and rare delights.

The USPs of this colourful Fair are Camel Races, Fur Cutting Design, Camel Dance, Best Breed Competition, Beautifully Adorned Camel Bands, Camel Tugs-of-War, Traditional Folk Dance-Music and even Beauty Pageants for Camels.

This Camel Fair is one of the best ways to experience the rustic charm of Rajasthani culture in a subtle way.

Sightseeing and Attractions around

After taking everything that this two day cultural festival of Rajasthan has to offer, one must explore the attractions around.

One of the most prominent and must visit attractions around is the Junagarh Fort. The Fort is popular for its intricate stone carvings on the red and gold coloured sandstones.

While one is in the land of camels, how can one not enjoy a Camel Safari? Exploring the endless golden sands of Bikaner whilst enjoying a Camel ride; could there be a better way to unwrap the magical land of Bikaner?

Another worth exploring attraction is Devi Kund, a collection of cenotaphs (chattris) which showcase an amazing blend of Rajputana and Islamic style of architecture. Bhandasar Jain Temple of Bikaner is another must visit site for its excellent Jain architecture. The temple is dedicated to Sumatinath, who was the fifth Tirthankara of Jainism.

Prachina Cultural Centre & Museum here is also a must visit if you want to know more about the rich cultural heritage of Bikaner. The Museum is a storehouse of historical objects and ancient artifacts of Bikaner. Ganga Government Museum, founded by Maharaja Ganga Singhji is another must visit attraction nearby. It showcases items ranging from terracotta objects to medieval musical instruments.

How to reach Bikaner

By Air ? The nearest airport to Bikaner is Jodhpur International Airport. Domestic and international flights connect the city to destinations all over the world.

By Train ? Bikaner Junction and Lalgarh Railway Station are two railway stations in service to reach Bikaner. The stations are well-connected to the main city as well as with most of the Indian cities. There are frequent trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur and other important cities of India.

By Road ? Bikaner is well connected to every city in Rajasthan, the capital city Delhi and other important cities. Frequent buses of the state transports, AC deluxe buses, sleeper coaches, taxis and private vehicles ply on the route.