Trip to India Jan-Feb.2013, Bikaner, Camel Farm

 A typical street scene in Bikaner.

 With my luck I had come to Bikaner to see the annual Camel Festival.  The events which I wanted to see were on days when I wouldn't be here.  So I elected to visit the Camel Research Center on the south of the city.

 It was feeding time which made it a good time to visit.

 Its the home to over 400 camels in three different breeds.

 Some of the camels are branded.

 I love camels feet.  The way they smoothly plop them up and down and the skin seems to slip.

 No, I didn't try anything in the snack bar.

The next day I took the train back to Jodhpur.  I was stunned to find the train station so empty in the middle of the morning.  A big surprise in a city of over half a million.  Usually any train station is teeming with people.

Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013- Bikaner Fort

Uniforms from the Raj era.

Many Maharaja's were madly interested in early flight.  This plane was presented to a Maharaja by the English government after WWI.

A royal carrier.

I loved this chair with the cats.

Also on the grounds was a small museum with household goods and clothing.

I'm not sure what this bull was all about.

Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013-Bikaner Fort

 Beautiful painted doors in the throne room

 Antique blue tiles surround a Hindu statue

 Bed of nails

 These guns don't look easy to carry

 Repairs being done using bamboo scaffolding

 The great hall

An old Imperial sandalwood throne

 Mesh underwear for your armour

 For dress wear

 Photos of processions through the streets in the early 1900's

Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013 Bikaner Fort

 The Bikaner Junagarh Fort is unique in that it is on flat land in the middle of the city.

 The entrance to one of the inner courtyards

 Despite its location, it was never conquered.

 Built in the late 1500's it has numerous inner courtyards

 This one hosted ceremonial events.  The Hall of the Audience

 Blue tiles imported from Germany

 Called Anup Mahal Chowk the windows in this area were for the women to view the proceedings.

 Home from the campaign

 Ceremonial swords

 Ceremonial standards.

A throne room.  Note the mirrored ceiling.

Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013 Bikaner- More Hotel Photos

 Part of the array of photos in the main hotel hall

 An antique desk in one of the small side rooms

 And a beautiful painting in another hall

 Photos in my room

A block from my hotel with the fort on the left.  They are ganging up on me!  I think the black and white one is the look out.  I crossed the street just in case.