International Camel Festival to be held in Bikaner, Know the detail

International Camel Fair, Bikaner is a sought-after annual event in Rajasthan. The festivities are at par with the other celebrations of Rajasthan.

HISTORY

The yearly event is dedicated to the tough animals surviving the harsh desert conditions. The festival is organized as an initiative by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture of the Rajasthan Government.

Since the era of the founder of the city Rao Bika Ji, Bikaner is the only camel breeding region. The gentle beasts raised here have been enrolled even in the army. The camel corps are known as “Ganga Risala” and have served in the world wars and Indo-Pak wars. Indian army still maintains a regiment where these brave animals loyally service in the Border Security Force.

CELEBRATION

The Camel Festival in Bikaner is a two-day affair comprising of 10 competitions, 2 band performance, and 2 cultural events. The festivities start off with a colorful parade of beautifully adorned camels against the backdrop of majestic Junagarh Fort. Enjoy the spectacular displays of camels dressed in vibrant bridles, traditional necklace and heavy anklets showing off wonderful footwork to the lovely tunes on desert sands. Also witness the array of camel race events, camel games, and other cultural performances. Hundreds and thousands of tourists and locals revel in this traditional festival. Feel absolute pleasure in the delightful ambiance.

Though the festival is exclusively organized to glorify the camels, the traditional Rajasthani folk dance performances and music add largely to the charm of this festival. The fascinating Fire Dance adds glamour to the festivities. The ambiance of the fair inspires fire dancers to perform brilliant acts. Their skills and the shows are nothing short of spectacular. The melody of folk music is a soothing sensation that world its charm mesmerizing all those whole hears it. The puppet shows are also amazing. The colorfully attired puppet dolls narrate intriguing local folklore. The festival concludes with a spectacular firework display which illuminates the skies of Bikaner.

The Bikaner Camel Fair gives you an opportunity to indulge in the unique camel milk sweetmeats and camel milk tea. The local Rajasthani dishes appetizers all the food lovers. Check out the stalls in the markets which offer exquisite handicrafts, jewelry, pottery, and rare delights.

SIGHTSEEING

• Junagarh Fort
• Ganga Government Museum
• Sadul Museum and Lalgarh Palace complex
• Bikaner Havelis (Kotharis, Rampurias, Baids, Dagas, Mohtas, Daddhas and many others)
• Bhandeshwar Jain Temple and adjoining Laxminath Temple
• National Research Centre on Camel
• Devi Kund Sagar
• Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke
• Gajner Palace and Wildlife Sanctuary

DATES

Bikaner Camel Festival is celebrated every year in the pleasant weather of January. In 2019, the festivities start on 12th January and conclude on 13th January.

TICKETS

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

TRAVEL TIPS

The month of January could get really chilly in Bikaner especially late in the evenings until early morning. It is advisable that pack enough warm clothing. Carry sunscreen lotions as well to protect your skin from the sun during daytime. When in Bikaner, one of the top things to do is to visit Junagadh Fort which forms the backdrop of the Camel Fair in Bikaner.

HOW TO REACH

• By Air - To reach Bikaner, the nearest airport is Jodhpur International Airport. The city lies 235 kilometers from the air terminal. Domestic and international flights connect the city to destinations all over the world. Once you reach the airport, you can easily access Bikaner by roads. There are a number of buses and taxis that ply one this route. You can avail any of these facilities to reach the camel city.
• By Rail - Bikaner is served by two railway stations; Bikaner Junction and Lalgarh Railway Station. Both the stations are located at a distance of approximately 6 km away from the main city and are well-connected with most of the Indian cities. There are frequent trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jodhpur and other important cities of India.
• By Road - 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.