VERNACULAR

ARCHITECTURE
OF
BIKANER
 INTRODUCTION OF BIKANER
⮚ Bikaner is a city in the northwest of
the state of Rajasthan, India. It is located 330 kilometres
(205 mi) northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. Bikaner city is
the administrative headquarters of Bikaner
District and Bikaner division.
⮚ Formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner, the city
was founded by Rao Bika in 1488 CE from its small origins it
has developed into the fourth largest city in Rajasthan.
The Ganges Canal, completed in 1928, and the Indira Gandhi
Canal, completed in 1987, facilitated its development.
⮚ Bikaner is a non basin settlement in the hot and dry climatic region
of india. The vernacular architecture of the bikaner haveli's has
provided a comfortable shelter against the harsh climatic conditions
of the region.
⮚ Understanding of the traditional architecture in terms of
heat, humidity, air movement and light with respect to
the physical environment provides vital lessons for the
present design endeavours. The familiar elements of
regional architectural styles – Verandahs, balconies,
courtyards, shutters and such are created to use the sun
for warmth and light and to create shade and breeze for
cooling.
CLIMATOLOGY OF BIKANER
HOT AND DRY CLIMATE REGION
 PROMINENT PLACES OF
BIKANER
⦿ JUNAGARH FORT
⦿ RAMPURIA HAVELI
⦿ GAJNER LAKE/PALACE
⦿ DESHNOKE KARNI MATA TEMPLE
⦿ BHANDASHAH JAIN TEMPLE
⦿ SHIV BARI TEMPLE
Junagarh Fort
⮚ Name: Junagarh Fort
Type: Fort
Built: 1589-1594
Built by: Karan Chand under Raja Rai Singh of
Bikaner
Construction materials: Red sandstones
(Dulmera) and marbles (including Carrara)
Open to the public: Yes
Controlled by:Government of Rajasthan
Bordered by: Aravalli Range
 Junagarh Fort - Architecture
⮚ Junagarh Fort is one of the massy forts of India that was built in
1589. Many rulers came and ruled over Bikaner and constructed
many structures inside the fort.
⮚ The fort is designed in a rectangular pattern on a plain land in
Bikaner. It is one of the forts in Rajasthan that is not built on a
hilltop like Chittorgarh Fort or Jaisalmer Fort.
 Dimensions of the fort -

⮚ The length of the fort

is 986m. The width of
the walls is 4.4m and
height is 12m. The
total area of the fort is
5.28 hectares.
⮚ The moat surrounding
the fort has the depth
of 6.1 to 7.6m. The
base width of the moat
is 4.6m while the top
width is 9.1m.
 Structures inside the fort -
⮚ Symbolic hands of
sati
⮚ Seven Gates
⮚ Nine Temples
⮚ Four Deep Wells
⮚ Three Gardens
⮚ Old Jail
⮚ Palaces
 Symbolic hands of Sati
Sati Sthambs, imprinted with symbolic hands of the royal ladies who committed
the act of sati (a widow’s self immolation on her husband’s funeral pyre)
 Junagarh Fort - Gates
⮚ Karan Pol -
Karan Pol faces east and is used
as an entrance into the fort. 

⮚ Suraj Pol –
Suraj Pol is situated on
the western side of the fort.
⮚ Daulat Pol –
Daulat Pol Is situated to the right
of Karan Pol.
⮚ Tripolia Pol -After crossing the
main gate and the palace,
tourists can reach Tripolia Pol
or triple gate
 Junagarh Fort - Temples

⦿Har Mandir -

Har Mandir was a

temple where royal
people came to
worship. They used
to celebrate the
festivals of
Dussehra and
Gangaur here.
 Ratan Behari Temple
⦿ The temple is also known as Krishna temple and was mainly used to
worship Lord Krishna. The temple was built by the 18th ruler of Bikaner
in 1846.
 Gaj Mandir
⦿ Gaj Mandir is a beautiful temple whose walls are beautifully
decorated. There are carvings on the walls along with impressive
designs.
 Junagarh Fort - Palaces
⦿ Karan Mahal –
Karan Singh built the Karan Mahal in 1680 to celebrate his victory
over Aurungzeb, the Mughal Emperor.
 Phool Mahal
Raja Rai Singh built the phool mahal and it is considered as the oldest part
of the fort. The palace is decorated with flower vases, rose water
sprinklers, and motifs. 
 Anup Mahal
Anup Mahal is considered as a grandest construction of
Junagarh Fort. It was built by Anup Singh.
 Chandra Mahal
⦿ Chandra Mahal is considered as one of the most luxurious palace
of Junagarh Fort as the palace consists of gold plated deities.
 Ganga Mahal
Ganga Singh built the Ganga Mahal in 20th century. There is a museum
inside the palace known as Ganga Singh Hall which was used as durbar
hall during the reign of Ganga Singh.
 Badal Mahal
⦿ Badal Mahal is an extension of Anup Mahal and consists of paintings
of Shekhawati Dundlod Chiefs who were respecting the king of
Bikaner.
Wall Details And Carvings
RAMPURIA HAVELI
 Architecture of Rampuria Haveli
⮚ The Rampuria Haveli is a beautiful specimen constructed of Dulmera
red sandstone as the crucial base material.
⮚ The mansion demonstrates gorgeous arty abilities prevalent during that
era. The inner halls and rooms are decorated and beautified with
aesthetic art.
⮚ It was built at a distance of 2 km from Bikaner Junction railway station.
This haveli is known for its 400-year-old architectural splendor.
⮚ Embossed with stunning facades, magnificent perforated screens,
enticing overhangs, extended balconies, and latticed windows, this
ancient haveli is a true reminiscent of Bikaner’s royalty and
flamboyance.
⮚ A true treat to the eyes, the haveli was made from original ‘dulmera’
stone that are red in appearance and has graceful carvings on them. Built
in Victorian, Mughal and Rajput architecture, golden works and
exquisite wood carvings make Rampuria Haveli a must to visit
historical place in Rajasthan.
 Structure And Design Of The Rampuria Haveli

⮚ The haveli is adorned with a stunning handiwork that was

prevalent during the 15th century. Rampuria Haveli is delicately
designed with jharokhas, latticed windows and gumaharias
(basements) that eventually gave it an exotic look, making it more
appealing to its visitors.
Architecture of Gajner⦿Palace
.The structures form was inspired
by Jain and
Mughal architecture with a touch
of European interiors because it
was made during the British rule
in India.

⦿ The complete building is

built of red sandstone and
marbles. There are wide
windows, open terrace and
balcony's to view the semi
beauty of the Gajner Lake
and the surrounded forest.
 SHIV BARI TEMPLE
⦿ Built of red sand stone, the Shiv Bari Temple of Bikaner is an architectural
delight. The main features of the Shiv Bari Temple are the pavilions,
domes, and well decorated columns.
⦿ The temple is fortified by a huge embattlement wall. The main attraction
of the Shiv Bari Temple is an idol of four-faced Lord Shiva carved out of
black marble.
 BHANDASAR JAIN TEMPLE
⦿ The marble pillars of Bhandasar Jain Temple are decked-up with floral
arabesque pattern and events reflecting the lives of the 24 Jain Tirthankars.
The walls and the floorings contain beautiful dancing images of maidens and
multi-colored floral designs.
JALWALI VILLAGE
 HOUSES
⦿ The smaller villages north of Bikaner
epitomize true Indian village.
⦿ The main activity of the desert region is
agriculture and dairy products.
⦿ The farmers produce millet and other
grains for their own consumption as well
as to sell.
⦿ These villages show very few signs of
progress.
⦿ Occasionally, some villages near the bus route area are seen to
have more modern facilities, like electricity.
⦿ It is in the interior villages that one finds some of the most
beautiful mud forms in an undisturbed, vernacular architectural
environment.
⦿ The village of Jalwali is situated in this region on an uneven
terrain.