Junagarh Fort

Traveler’s Facts

Highlight: Magnificent Architecture of Palaces & Fort Museum showing Rich Collection.
Popular As: Unconquered Fort till Date.
Should I Visit: Yes, its a must visit tourist place
Location: Bikaner, nearest airport is Jodhpur
Built by: Karan Chand under Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner
Built in: 1589-1594
How to reach: Better to take an auto-rickshaw or a rickshaw.

Junagarh Fort is one of the unconquered Forts of Rajasthan. A Beautiful Amalgamation of Several Architectural Styles, Junagarh Fort is a must see for Its 37 Palaces and Temples. Junagarh fort in Bikaner is considered one of India’s most impressive fort complexes. Its exquisitely decorated interiors are in an excellent state of preservation. Built in 1588 by Raja Rai Singh, it is one of the few major forts, which were not built on a hilltop. The complex consists of palaces, courtyards, pavilions, and balconies. The walls are adorned with carved stones, marble, paintings, and inlaid semi-precious stones. Each Palace in the complex was built by a different ruler, over the centuries.

Junagarh Fort of Bikaner

Junagarh fort is located in the arid region of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan bordered on the northwest by the Aravalli range, a range of mountains in western India. Part of the desert area is in Bikaner city, which is one of the three desert triangle cities; the other two cities are Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The name of the place where Bikaner city with its forts was established was then known as Jungladesh.

Temples

Har Mandir temple was the royal chapel – private temple of the royal family. The royal family celebrated the Hindu festival of Dussera and Gangaur here, apart from celebrating other family functions such as birthdays and marriages. In the Dussera celebrations, weapons and horses were worshipped here. The main deities worshipped in this temple are the Hindu deities Lakshmi Narayan, a combined representation of god Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.^[8]

The Ratan Behari temple located near the Junagarh Fort, was built in 1846 by the 18th ruler of Bikaner. It was built in Indo-Mughal architectural style using white marble. The Hindu god Krishna is deified in this temple.

Front View of Junagarh Fort Architecture

Palaces

Karan mahal (Public Audience Hall) was built by Karan Singh in c.1680 to mark his victory over the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It is considered as one of the most exquisite palaces built with gardens, which displays the aesthetic sensibilities of the royalty of Rajasthan. It has stained glass windows and intricately carved balconies built in stone and wood fluted columns. Later Rajas, Anup Singh and Surat Singh, also added lot of glitter to this palace with inlaid polychrome glass, intricate mirror patterns, and red and gold paint. In the coronation chamber, there is a shored up alcove, which was used as a throne.

Phool Mahal (“Flower Palace”) is the oldest part of the palace and was built by king Raja Rai Singh of Bikaner, who ruled between 1571-1668.

Anup Mahal is a multi-storey structure, which functioned as the administrative headquarters of the kingdom. It has ornate wooden ceilings with inlaid mirrors, Italian tiles, and fine lattice windows and balconies. It has some gold leaf paintings. It is considered as one of the “grandest construction”.

Chandra Mahal has the most luxurious room in the palace, which houses gold plated deities and paintings inlaid with precious stones.In the royal bedroom, mirrors have been strategically placed so that the Maharaja could see from his bed, any intruder entering his room.

Ganga Mahal was built in the 20th century by Ganga Singh who reigned for 56 years from 1887 to 1943, has a large durbar hall known as the Ganga Singh Hall that houses the Museum. The museum has exhibits of war weaponry and also a World War I aeroplane (biplane), which is stated to be well maintained.

Badal Mahal (The weather palace) is part of the Anup Mahal extensions. It has paintings of Shekhawati Dundlod chiefs paying respects to the Maharaja of Bikaner in different types of turbans. Photos of people standing on nails, wood, swords and saws are also depicted here – a display of faith and endurance.^[The walls in this palace depict fresco paintings of the Hindu god Krishna and his consort Radha amidst the rain clouds.

Bikaneri Havelies located both within and outside the fort in the Bikaner city’s by lanes are also of unique architectural style in home architecture. Aldous Huxley who visited these havelis reportedly said “They are the pride of Bikaner.”

Anup Mahal of Junagarh Fort

Facilities

• Audio Tour in French, German and English
• Free local English speaking Guide
• Car Parking
• Emergency Power Backup
• Security
• Emergency medication
• Still Camera and video Camera photography permission(payable) can be availed from Museum Ticket counter ( Photography is restricted in certain areas of the Fort )
• Help Desk

Do’s and Don’t

• Visitors are generally allowed to use cameras with flash, and personal video recorders except in exhibits and galleries where signs are posted prohibiting the use of cameras, flash photography, and video recorders.
• No food, drinks, or diaper changing allowed on the exhibition floors.
• Facilities are located in the Main Floor Washrooms. Visitor Services Staff will help you access the second floor First Aid Room if you require a more private facility.

Cooperate with security staff for necessary security check-up.