Forts and palaces

Gajner Palace of Bikaner

Gajner Palace -a summer resort of Bikaner Maharajas -has often been described as ' an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert'. Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh ji of Bikaner, palace stands on the embankment of a lake .The palace was used by Maharaja for grand shoots and lavish entertainment. Royalty, both Indian as well as international, Viceroys and other dignitaries have been entertained at this grand palace.
The architecture of Gajner palace is truly outstanding. Built in red sandstone with intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens , the craftsmanship here is amazing.Palace is surrounded by beautiful wooded area, now a preserved sanctuary which provides shelter to chinkaras , blackbucks, blue bull (neel gai) and flocks of imperial sand grouse. A part of palace has been transformed into hotel.It was this inheritance that Maharaja Ganga Singh was able to use for diplomatic gains, perfecting the hunt to a fine art, and contagious with the hospitality with which it became associated. It was during his rule too that the new Gajner palace was designed by sir Swinton Jacob, complete with twin dressing rooms per room to allow couples to get dressed at their own pace. While the annex to the main palace was opened as a hotel in 1976, the palace too is a hotel now with 25 rooms and a restaurant on the premises.