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BIKANER EXCURSION
Gajner Wildlife
Sanctuary :- Just (32 km) from Bikaner; The lush foliage of
woods on the Jaisalmer road are a heaven to nilgai, chinkara, black
buck, wild boar, flocks of imperial sand grouse and many more migratory
birds that houses the sprawling forest in the winters. It can be visited
by jeeps with the forest officers as the guides.
Tal chaper Wildlife Century : The
Black buck (Antelope Cervicapara) Century. It is almost treeless and
flat Saline depression covering an area of about 8 Sq. km and provides a
perfect habitat for the Blackbuck (Antelope Cervieapara) the most
beautiful of all antelopes in the world. Taal chapper is one of the best
known areas in India to observe the Blackbuck in their natural
surroundings. Taal Chappers a fascinating area for bird watchers as
well. Demoiselle Carnes (Anthropoids Virgo) come every year in thousands
in the last week of August or early September. A number of species of
harriers visit the sanctuary in the months of August and September in
groups.
Camel Breeding Farm :- Just 8 km
away from the city, at the govt run camel breeding farm, the Ship of the
Desert, could be scene in different forms like long-haired camel, with
hair on its ears etc, which is a special Bikaner Race, famed for its
strength. The light-coloured ones are the ones from Jaisalmer, and are
prized for their speed. The dark-coloured camels come from Gujarat and
the female camels are prized for their milk-producing capacity.
Fairs & Festivals of Bikaner :-The
un-artificial and loving nature of life is the main essence of its
cultural heritage. The regions love for color and joyous celebrations is
proved by elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which it surrenders
to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region.
Camel Festival :- The Camel Festival
is an event organized in Bikaner by the Department of Tourism, Art and
Culture, Government of Rajasthan, every year in the month of January.
Desert region's Folk dances and Music, add on to what is otherwise an
exclusive camel affair. A festival, when the ships of the desert are
seen at their best. Camels fascinate tourists from all over the world
with their movements, charm and grace. A spectacle of unusual camel
performances: camel races, camel dances, and the bumpy, neck shaking
camel rides. The festival starts with the procession of beautifully
decorated camels. The procession heads towards the open sand grounds.
Here, the festivities begin in earnest. The Camel Pageant is held on the
first day wherein the camel owners show off their Camels' decorations
and jewellery. Camel dance performances are also held. A competition for
best decorated camel, fur cutting design, camel milking and the best
camel hair cut is organized The camels display amazing footwork, dancing
gracefully to the slightest direction of their drivers. Colourful
bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel
shadows on dusky sands, cast a magical spell.
In this festival tea and sweets prepared by camel milk are made
available to the visitors who are interested in enjoying them.
On the second day, the fleet of camels of the region take part in the
camel races. The competition is fierce as the best camels vie for the
honors. Thousands of excited tourists and locals cheer the favorites.
On both days, the evening ends with a rendezvous with the renowned folk
artists of Rajasthan. The grand finale is a magnificent display of
fireworks which illuminates the desert city of Bikaner.
Festive Fun :- Delve into the local
festivals and fairs and see the customs, cultures and heritage preserved
over a period of 500 years. These add a great value in tourism in the
city
Camel Festival :1st, 2nd & 3rd
January '07
Gangaur Festival: April
Kolayat Fair: November
Holi: March
Gangaur Procession :-Folk dances
reflect the communism nature and human-beings through physical
movements, gestures and various other modes of expression. The famous
dances of ladies are 'Ghumar', 'Saluda', 'Bhav', and 'Matakil, while men
perform 'Gerl, 'Patta', Tandava' and 'Pisach' dances gaily and gleefully
on different occasions Muslims perform 'Patta' dance at the time of
Moharratn, with perfect skill, excellent balance and speedy movements.
The Jasnathis of Bikaner are renowned for their Tantric powers and Fire
Dance
Fire Dance :- The tastes and
tradititions of folk life of Bikaner are reflected in it's Rammats.
People give free expressions to their feelings of pleasures and pains in
Rammats( Folk Drama).The falgun Holi festivities, the folk dances,
camel-rides, Dhamals and Loors etc. fill life with eternal joy.
Kami Mata Fair (Dehnik):- The fair
is celebrated twice a year in the little desert citadel of Deshnok, in
honour of Goddess Kami Mata, the tutelary deity of the Bikaner royal
house. The devotees gather at Deshnok during the
Navratra, in March/April and September/October and the fair held on the
ninth day of Navratra, amidst the chanting of hymns and prayers,
Kapil Muni Fair (Kolayat) :- the
sacred lake of Kolayat 55 Km from Bikaner is the venue of this fair. Its
(Nov). The devotees come to take a holy dip in the lake. At this time,
all the fifty ghats bordering the lake are crowded.
Kite Festival (Akha Teej) :- Kite
Flying is a cultural tradition of this region bearing special
significance because of its direct connection with the foundation of
this city. Sky remains full of Kites of varying colours, shapes and
sizes. Peo ple of all ages participate with zeal and vigor in this fest.
It generally falls in April/May.
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