Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

Visitor Information

• Famous For: History, Architecture, Photography
• Entry Fee: Indian = 50 INR, Indian (Student Concession) = 30 INR, Foreigner = 300 INR, Foreigner (Student Concession) = 150 INR, Audio Tour = 350 INR, Audio Tour (Student Concession) = 200 INR, Phool Mahal and Chander Mahal = 100 INR

• Visiting Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
• Visiting Duration: 2 to 3 hours

The Junagarh Fort is the most famous fort in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The Junagarh Fort was originally called the Chintamani Mahal until the 20th Century. This is a rare fort because even after thousands of attempts by vicious invaders, this fort still remains unconquered over time. Hence, it is quite astonishing to everyone how the Junagarh Fort could withstand the multiple invasions even though it lacks the advantage of height as it is not even located on the hilltop. At present, a part of the fort has been converted to a grand museum where ancient artifacts have been well preserved. Thus, it is a premier tourist attraction all over the world.

Traveler Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes as you will have to walk a lot.
• Do not forget to carry sufficient water because mineral water is not sufficient on the premises. Moreover, you will have to buy it at double the original price.
• You are not allowed to use a still camera or a video camera without a camera ticket. You can buy the same from the ticket counter itself.
• There are some regions within the fort where flash photography or even non-flash photography is prohibited. So, you need to keep your eyes open in order to look out for the signs so that you do not have to pay a fine on getting caught by the security guards.

Things to Do There

• Take a look at the historic pieces of art and paintings that are displayed at the museum.
• Visit the armoury section which houses the widest collections of weapons from the medieval age.
• Take a look at the silver carriages and the carts that the royals of Rajasthan used while travelling from one place to another.
• Wonder at the incredible zari work on the royal clothes.
• Click photographs outside the museum while posing in the gorgeous Rajasthani clothes at a nominal charge.

Availability of Guides

Guides are available at the fort premises instructing in Hindi and English. The museum provides the Audio Tour facility at a nominal charge in French, German and English.

Best Time to Visit

To beat the heat of the desert land of Rajasthan, it is recommended that the tourists visit the fort between November and February to enjoy a pleasant weather.

How to Reach the Place

Junahgarh Fort is in the heart of the city of Bikaner. Thus, it can be reached easily by hiring a private car, a private bus, a cab or an auto rickshaw. Public buses are also available that would drop you near the fort.

Interesting Facts About the Junagarh Fort, Bikaner

• This is one of the most talked-about forts in the history of the world as this fort could never ever be conquered even after constant attack.
• This fort is built on the plain land unlike the other forts that are mostly built on the hilly terrain to keep watch over the surrounding.
• This fort houses the best collection of Armory belonging to the middle ages.

The Popular Architectural Attractions in This Fort Are

• Karan Mahal
• Phool Mahal
• Anup Mahal
• Badal Mahal
• Gaj Mandir
• Durga Niwas
• Durbar Hall
• Vikram Vilas

Nearby Attractions

• Lallgarh Palace
• Prachina Museum
• Sardul Singh Statue
• Soor Sagar
• Ganga Singh Statue

 Nearby Restaurants

• Laxmi Niwas Palace
• Chhappan Bhog
• Garden Café and Restaurant
• Rendezvous
• Heeralal Sweet Shop
• Chhotu Motu Joshi Sweet Shop
• Parshvnaath Ice-Cream Parlour
• King’s Pavilion Restaurant
• Evergreen
• Grill Inn

The Junagarh Fort in Bikaner is rich in culture and heritage. The walls of the fort echo the tales of velour and victory that have got trapped within these unconquerable walls of the fort over so many centuries. The architecture of the fort is a symbolism of the influence of various forms of architecture that have been spotted in India so far, thus, proving how wide its political and artistic exposures were. Thus, this fort is a must visit for every lover of history and architecture as it stands erect as a valid recognition of both.