Junagarh Fortजूनागढ़ किला
A fort on the flat that was never taken, with the finest painted palaces in Bikaner.
See what is open on your dateOpen in Google MapsWhereBikaner, Rajasthan
Bikaner & Thar
Bikaner & Thar
Best time to visit15 October to 15 March
Good seasonsPost-monsoon (October to November), Winter (December to February)
DifficultyEasy
Time needed3 hrs
Base and nearbyBikaner old city, Bikaner
EntryAround ₹50 Indians, ₹300 foreigners · audio guide extra · open daily
About Junagarh Fort
Raja Rai Singh, a general in Akbar's army, built it between 1589 and 1594, and unlike most Rajasthan forts it stands on the flat rather than a hilltop and was never taken by force. Inside is a run of palaces in red sandstone and marble, Anup Mahal with its gold-leaf plasterwork the finest, plus a First World War DH-9 biplane the British gave Maharaja Ganga Singh. The Prachina museum by the gate is a separate ticket.
What to see and do
- Anup Mahal and its gold-leaf plasterwork
- Karan Mahal and Phool Mahal
- The DH-9 biplane from the First World War
- Badal Mahal and its painted rain clouds
- Prachina museum by the gate
- Camel Festival in the city each January
Opening status, best time and closures here are estimates from usual seasons and past patterns, not live information. Confirm with the local authority before you go. Terms of use
More places in Bikaner
- Lalgarh PalaceBikaner, Rajasthan · Palaces & HavelisGanga Singh's red sandstone palace, the Sadul museum in one wing and a hotel in the other.
- Gajner Palace and SanctuaryBikaner, Rajasthan · Palaces & HavelisA viceregal shooting lodge on a desert lake, with sandgrouse and blackbuck at the water.
- National Research Centre on CamelBikaner, Rajasthan · Eco TourismThe camel farm on the edge of Bikaner. Go at four, eat the ice cream.
- Bhandasar Jain TempleBikaner, Rajasthan · Temples & ShrinesA 1514 Jain temple painted in gold leaf, with a legend of ghee in the mortar.
- Devi Kund SagarBikaner, Rajasthan · Monuments & HeritageThe royal cenotaphs of Bikaner, red sandstone and marble, 8 km out of town.
- Karni Mata Temple, DeshnokBikaner, Rajasthan · Temples & ShrinesThe rat temple. Twenty thousand kabas, and a white one if you are lucky.
- KatariasarBikaner, Rajasthan · Villages & Hidden GemsDunes, chinkara and a fire dance 45 km from Bikaner. The easy desert night.
- Kolayat LakeBikaner, Rajasthan · Lakes & DamsA desert pilgrim lake with fifty-two ghats, at its best on Kartik Purnima.
All places in Bikaner · All places in Rajasthan
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Jagah Pedia is a free travel guide by Santosh Pandey. Status, timings and closures are estimates from usual patterns, so confirm locally before you travel.