Lalgarh Palace Complex, Bikaner

The Lalgarh Palace is a classic example of Indian, European and Mughal architecture, and is famous all over for its lattice sandstones. It is a grand display of richness, both in terms of the history as well as the wealth. This vivid architectural masterpiece was designed by Sir Swinton Jacob and built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, the then Maharaja of Bikaner.

The palace has elaborate wings with huge corridors, all adorned with paintings and other extraordinary artifacts that make the place come alive with history. The palace is beautifully crafted with the skilled eye of an artist and is a worthwhile place to explore. The paintings, corridors, wings and sculptures, all entice your senses to their core and make you realize the worth of culture and history in today’s hectic life.

At present the palace houses the following:

• The Shri Sadul Museum which is located in the west wing which also contains the fourth largest private library in the world. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all weekdays except on Sunday.
• In one wing the private home of the Bikaner Royal Family.
• The Lallgarh Palace Hotel. This is a Heritage hotel is owned and operated by the Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji Trust and marketed by Maharaja Heritage Resorts Limited under a Franchise and Marketing Services Agreement.
• The Laxmi Niwas Palace. This is a luxury hotel, owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd.

Infrastructure

The three-storey complex is coated in red sandstone quarried from the Thar Desert. The complex contains the features considered essential for a late 19th-century palace: drawing rooms, smoking rooms, guest suites, several grand halls, lounges, cupolas, pavilions, including a dining room which could seat 400 diners. The complex features magnificent pillars, elaborate fireplaces, Italian colonnades and intricate latticework and filigree work. The Karni Niwas wing houses the Darbar Hall and an art deco indoor swimming pool.

Interesting Facts and Trivia About Lalgarh Palace

• The palace in built largely in the European architectural style that will leave you in awe of its beauty.
• The place was built for Maharaja Ganga Singh by the British administration themselves as they thought that the Junagarh Fort was unsuitable to the Maharaja of Bikaner.
• A single wing of the palace cost around one million rupees to be built, due to the use of the finest raw materials in its construction.
• The entire palace is coated with red sandstone that was especially brought from the great Thar Desert.
• The palace also houses the fourth largest private library in the world.

Things to Do

• Click lovely photographs of the place
• Visit the museum and uncover details of the Maharaja and his royal dynasty
• Stay at the heritage hotel and marvel at its beautiful interiors.

Best Time to Visit

To enjoy the lovely palace, you will be required to spend considerable time outdoors. Hence, it’s most advisable to visit the palace during the winter months of November to February, when the weather is pleasant and the scorching sun is replaced by the cool breeze. However, this time is also the most crowded due to number of tourists flocking to the area. Therefore, if you wish to enjoy its beauty in the absence of interruptions and can brave the heat, visit the palace in the summer months.

How to Reach

Bikaner itself can be reached by road, railways or by air. The nearest airport to Bikaner is the Jodhpur International Airport. Lalgarh junction and Bikaner Junction are the two railway stations to reach Bikaner. The Lalgarh Palace is located two kilometers from the Lalgarh junction and thus can be reached via the local transport available at ease at Bikaner.

Nearby Attractions

• Junagarh Fort
• Ratan Behari Temple
• Prachina Museum
• Kote Gate
• Sardul Singh Statue
• Ganga Theatre
• Soor Sagar

LALGARH PALACE, BIKANER

Famous for:

History, Photography, Seeking Experience

Entrance Fee:

Rs.10 for Indians

Rs.20 for Foreigners

Visiting Time:

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sunday closed

Visit Duration:

1 to 2 hours

Address:

Ganganagar Road, Mehron Ka Bas,

India NH-15, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001

Phone: +918585959191

The Lalgarh palace is a great way to explore and fall in love with history, royalty and architecture. The brilliance of this palace can in fact be experienced more personally through a stay at the heritage hotel. A part of the palace has been transformed into this luxury hotel where you would be treated like royalty yourself, in the midst of regal interiors. Bask in the historic glory of this lavish palace and embrace the beauty of India’s heritage.