Mallika Dureja
Gajner Palace, a hunting lodge of the rulers of Bikaner, is located on the shores of Gajner Lake, 34 kilometers from the city center. Gajner Palace, located in the heart of the Thar Desert, is a must-see for any visitor to Bikaner and Rajasthan.
The former ruler of Bikaner, Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji, commissioned the construction of the Gajner Palace during the time of the British Raj primarily as a hunting resort. The Prince of Wales visited the royal mansion in 1905; Lord Elgin served as Governor General; Lord Erwin visited in 1927; and Lord Mountbatten, Viceroy of India, also stayed there. Invitations to the Imperial Sand Grouse shooting at the Palace over the Christmas season were the most coveted of all social events in India.
Gajner Palace is a historic estate with a sprawling 6,000-acre garden. It is an excellent example of red sandstone construction and craftsmanship. The terraces and balconies of the palace are well-known for their unique design. The Palace complex also includes the foundations of a long-gone train station. In 1922 CE, a rail line was built from here, a hunting resort, to Bikaner Palace.
The HRH Group of Hotels now owns the historic Gajner Palace, which was renovated into a beautiful hotel in 1976. Dungar Niwas, Mandir Chowk, Gulab Niwas, and Champa Niwas are the four sections of Gajner Palace. There are 13 classic rooms at the hotel. The original splendor of each suite has been painstakingly reestablished. The four-poster beds, the wallpaper, and the picturesque windows are just some of the details that have been preserved.
The dense forest surrounding Gajner Lake is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including migratory birds like the Imperial Sand Goose, antelopes, black bucks, nilgais, chinkaras, blue bulls, and deer. The lake also offers boating for tourists.
Timeslot: 10am-7pm
A 30-minute visit costs Rs. 280 per person.
