Is Bikaner a good substitute for Jaisalmer?

UncleJoesMintballs

Due to lack of time, I think I'm unable to get as far West as Jaisalmer on my trip to India in September. However, I have heard that Bikaner is quite a good (and more accessible) substitue for Jaisalmer.

Is this true?

Thanks,

Ian

Bonita

hi Ian
Well, i would not say bikaner is a perfect substitute for Jaisalmer, (as it is hard to substitue that magical place with anything!) but i guess i would say bikaner it is a good alternative, as it is closer to reach if time is limted...if your interst/aim is to go out in the desert on a camel safari of sorts, and also to visit/see an old city in the desert with fort/palace, etc, u can do this in bikaner..Overall, JAISALMER is a much more intersting PLACE, ambiance, character, atmosphere, etc, but bikaner has its own charms and also, not as many people visit.. Bikaner is more accessible on a short trip, and yes, if time is limited and u want to foray into the desert, it is a good alternative spot to go../u can organzize a camel safari and get a feel for the old life.....IN Bikaner u have a few places also to visit, like the fort, Palace and assorted jain temples, so u will certainley find interest..ALso, NEAR bikaner u have the famous Karni MATA Temple at Deshnok-about 30 kms, (holy temple of rats), and this is certainley worth a stop if passing through...happy travels...

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LuAnnandJawahar

Bikaner is no substitute for Jaisalmer. However, if you don't have time, you don't have time. Whether it is more accessible depends on where you are coming from. We like Bikaner, but it certainly doesn't have the fairy tale quality that Jaisalmer does. However, there is no bad destination when you are within Rajasthan--so
"where ever you go, there you are" and enjoy!

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rab

I found Bikaner rough, perhaps a second to Agra which really IS rough! But it's still a not-to-be-missed destination simply because of the rat temple which is great, quite small but really fascinating.

The train ride there from Delhi has been mentioned here a lot and is also a good shortish (15 or so hours overnight) journey.

As for Jaisalmeer I'm afraid I've not been but Bikaner I am pretty sure is nothing like Jaisalmeer for the whole sepctacle, the aura, the history the romance etc...

There is a good fort at Bikaner which had a great tour which I remember really enjoying.

I would plan one day in Bikaner, 2 if you not on a tight schedule - enough to see the Temple and Fort and then get out on the evening train back to Delhi.

Remember to report back!

rab

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UncleJoesMintballs

It's soooooo hard to work out where to go! I only have 9 days in Rajasthan (and Agra).

The two places I really want to go are Jaisalmer and Udaipur (with Jodhpur a close third) but it's proving impossible to find a route that fits these in without spending all my time travelling.

One more question - how long does it take to drive from Jaisalmer to Udaipur?

Thanks,

Ian

ddutta

Hi

The distance between Jaisalmir & Udaipur is 545Kms. In India average speed of a bus is 40 - 50kms./hour . So it is coming to 10/11 hrs. Car /Jeep / SUV will take less time.

Jeroen

In defense of Bikaner, it's a bustling desert city with interesting old town streets and markets to wander around and interact with the locals. The palace is not Rajastan's best, but still worth a visit. The nearby rat temple is indeed amazing. I did a 2-day camel trek with www.camelman.com and it was one of the best things I did in India - I hear that in Bikaner you get to see quieter, prettier villages and much more wildlife than around Jaisalmer.
In Jaisalmer, pretty as it is, you do tend to get sick of people on the street trying to sell you toilet paper or drag you into their internet cafes! I'd say Bikaner is the more Indian experience

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cheetah

As an avid traveller within India, I'd say that,as has already been said, you cannot compare the two destinations. having said that,I, personally Loved Bikaner....It is a destination that is more off the beaten track and there really is a lot to see and do there....there is an awesome Jain Temple and the Pujari there shows and explains the paintings with great pride and surprisingly no greed (might be differnt with a foreigner though!) The fort is also a Must See as is the old city with its havelis which are so amazing! I must admit that being terrified of rats, I gave the Deshnoke Temple a miss.....should have gone all the same and viewed it through my binocs!! Enjoy it ....Its a great destination and do that camel safari that has been suggested...it sounds great! Have fun

Jeroen

Agfree with Cheetah - the Jain temple was very nice (I was told it's the only one in India with paintings on the inside instead of carvings) and it's really really old. I got a tour by Khusboo, the jolly caretaker's daughter, who also invited me to their tiny house for tea and sweets. The kite shops just inside the city gate were also cool.
All in all, I found Bikaner a more relaxed place to visit than Jaisalmer, with hardly any hassles.