Gajner lake and palace is a beautiful location that offers a spectacular sight to tourists, and also one of the top places to visit in Bikaner. Huge towers located at the lake entrance make it one of landmarks of Bikaner. The palace was once a summer holiday home and hunting lodge of the Bikaner royal family, it is now a luxury hotel. Located at a distance of 34 km from Bikaner, Gajner Palace and Lake is situated in the middle of Thar Desert. Gajner Palace and Lake was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The palace has hosted several royal dignitaries, including Prince of Wales; Governor General Lord Elgin, Lord Erwin; Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, and many more.
Imperial Sand Grouse shooting at the Bikaner Palace during Christmas every year was one of the most sought-after invitations in the Indian social calendar during its heydays before 1947. Sprawled over 600 acres, Gajner Palace and lake is the largest hotel in the world by area is a heritage property that is known for its lush green gardens. The palace has a striking appearance that attracts tourist. The palace built in red sandstone is a perfect example of traditional Rajasthani craftsmanship. The palace has 13 historic suites and 32 rooms that are known for their beautiful terraces and balconies attached. Each suite has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur, including furniture, wallpaper, four-poster beds and grand windows.
Gajner palace was converted into a heritage hotel in 1976 and is currently owned by HRH Group of Hotels. The palace is divided into four wings, namely Mandir Chowk, Gulab Niwas, Dungar Niwas, and Champa Niwas. It is Dungar Niwas that has been converted into heritage hotel. The palace hotel has remnants of a historic railway station, when it was connected to the Bikaner Palace via the railway network in 1922. The palace overlooking the lake and located in the midst of a thick forest, is a birdwatcher paradise as it gives tourists a great chance to view variety of migratory birds in the lake like Imperial Sand Goose, as well as see antelopes, black bucks, nilgai, and other animals in the dense forests near the lake.
The artificial Gajner Lake is considered as the most beautiful place in Bikaner during winters when the lake is swarmed with thousands of migratory birds, making it a birdwatching spectacle and a photographers’ delight. Tourist can enjoy boating in the lake on newly introduced solar powered boats. The entry into lake is free and for boating from 10 AM in the morning to 7 PM in the evening, for not just tourist but also locals with charges of INR 280 per person for a 30-minute ride. This beautiful palace and lake surrounded by mountains of the Aravalli range presents a picture-perfect display of the bygone era. Gajner Palace also provides options like nature walks, desert safaris, and sanctuary dinners for the tourists. Gajner Palace and lake in Bikaner offers the perfect vacation for all those who want to experience a slice of royal luxury in the midst of the jungle.
Gajner Palace is located 3 kms away from the Gajner railway station, from where tourist can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the hotel. Tourists can also reach Gajner Palace from Bikaner railway station located 34 kms away by hiring bus or taxi for a nearly 3 hours ride. Known for its luxury and hospitality, the palace is open from 9 am to 8 pm on all days for visitors with entry fees of INR 100 per person. The best time to visit Gajner Palace, Bikaner is from late October to early March. As Rajasthan experiences scorching heat during summers, it is best to avoid visiting Bikaner and Gajner Palace during the summers. However, if tourists are willing to bear the heat, the palace hotel offers some great off-season deals during summer season. The monsoons are also a great time to visit the hotel but constant rain may hamper sightseeing plans of tourists.
Maharaja Karni Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Ganga Singh who built the palace converted the hunting preserve around the palace into a wildlife sanctuary, making it a haven for a variety of animals including endangered antelope. The palace hotel has ‘The Mirage’ restaurant, that is known for serving delicious Indian, Mughlai, and continental cuisine. The Imperial Terrace, which is an extension of the Bikaner Palace overlooking the lake and wildlife sanctuary showcases variety of traditional Rajasthani folk and tribal dance performances for the guests. The ‘Mrigtrishna Bar’ in the palace is known for serving a delectable range of drinks to its guests. Overall, a visit to the Gajner lake and Palace hotel takes the tourist back to the royal era.
