GAJNER Palace, an incomparable 'Jewel in the Thar Desert' is built on the embankment of a lake. Built by H.H. Maharaja Sir Ganga Singhji of Bikaner, Gajner Palace is approximately 30 kms from the city of Bikaner. Spread over 6000 acres, the Palace was used as a hunting resort by the former Maharajas and visiting British dignitaries during the days of the Raj. Some of the dignitaries who have visited the palace for the shoots are Governor General Lord Elgin, Lord Mountbatten Viceroy of India, Prince of Wales (1905) and Lord Erwin (1927). The Palace has a wildlife sanctuary, adjacent to the imposing palace, and is home to endangered antelopes, chinkara, black buck, neelgai and other animals. The sanctuary and the lake attract more than a hundred species of migratory birds during the winter months. Today Gajner Palace is a grand heritage palace of the HRH Group of Hotels, Udaipur.

Accommodation
Gajner Palace is divided into four different wings: Dungar Niwas, Mandir Chowk, Gulab Niwas and Champa Niwas. The eleven historic suites are in Dungar Niwas These suites were primarily used by British dignitaries during their leisure trip to the Palace- in addition, the Palace offers thirty-one deluxe rooms that form part of Gulab Niwas, Champa Niwas (the recently built section has a beautiful courtyard with rooms all around it) and Mandir Chowk (was part of the reception area for dignitaries arriving by train and dominated by the presence of an ancient temple and age-old banyan trees). Each suite has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur, right from the furniture to the wallpaper, the four-poster beds and large windows. Every little detail has been meticulously recreated exuding an aura of a bygone era but nonetheless fitted with every modem convenience such as air-conditioning. The hotel provides laundry and room service and 24 hour hot and cold running water. Other basic facilities like telecom, travel desk, money exchange and safety lockers are provided.

Fine dining
Mirage; The lakeside restaurant 'Mirage' was once called 'Ganga Bhawan' named after His Highness Ganga Singhji of Bikaner, it recreates the grandeur of royal dining with high ceilings, gold framed majestic mirrors, intricately crafted fire places and wooden flooring. This multi-cuisine restaurant is open throughout the day and serves meals and snacks.
Imperial Terrace Restaurant: Deep into the palace, a terrace overlooks the Gajner Lake providing spectacular views of wildlife, birds landing on the lake and the sanctuary that stretches beyond it. The restaurant at the terrace is named after the rare endangered 'Imperial Sand Grouse, large flocks of which can be seen at Gajner Palace.

A Self-Cooking Kitchen: Adjoining the Mirage restaurant- there is an open area, which has been developed into a self-cooking kitchen. If one would like to prepare their own food while staying at Gajner, the HRH management provides all facilities for this unique experience. A state-of-the-art kitchen area provides computer controlled storage facilities and a complete bakery unit to cater to the needs of the guest. This grand kitchen in the midst of a desert is an outstanding feature of Gajner Palace.

Bar
Mrigtrishna: The sanctuary alongside the Palace is populated with a wide variety of deer species. Thus the bar aptly called "Mrig-trishna" is nostalgic with magnificent chandeliers and artistically painted ceilings reminding you of the days of the Raj. Conference and banquet facilities

Conference Hall: The Conference Hall is in the Dungar Niwas wing and overlooks the lake from one side and a beautiful courtyard framed with magnificent trees on the other. All modem facilities are available for small conferences. For large conferences, the Mirage restaurant can be
Used; it can easily be converted into a conference room

Manoranjan: Manoranjan is an amphitheatre within the beautifully landscaped gardens and makes an excellent open-air venue for large events, in the past, Manoranjan has seen many public gatherings, film shoots, fashion shows and other grand ceremonial events.

Shabnam Mahal: This is the highest point in Gajner Palace and is located on the banks of the lake. The area around the Mahal is surrounded by very old trees and one can see the vast stretch of the sanctuary from here. For any special occasions, the whole area is lit with mashaals making it a remarkable open-air venue in a natural setting.

History revisited
Visit to the old Railway station -The dignitaries during the days of the Raj arrived straight at the Gajner Palace by special trains, the remnants of which are visible in the form of a railway siding in Bikaner, an old platform and antique lamp posts leading to the disembarkation point within the palace grounds. In the next few years, one would be able to visit the Palace in the same way as the former Maharajas did. The railway station will be restored meticulously, preserving the characteristics of its former glorious days. An antique railway station will be refurbished as a restaurant to add a nostalgic touch to the dining options at Gajner Palace.

Architecture - The architecture of the palace is fascinating. Although a Hindu king built the Palace, it has a flavour of both Rajput and Mughal architecture with every area having a distinct feel of the Raj. The photographs of the beautiful era gone by are exhibited in the rooms and public areas.

Religious
Temple - On the right side of the palace there is an ancient temple, which one can visit. A priest offers prayers daily in this temple.

Dargah - A Muslim place of worship is on the left side of the palace premises just before the wooded area. Thousands of devotees gather at this holy shrine during the Urs festival.

How to reach Gajner
Rail: There are trains to Bikaner from Mumbai, New Delhi. Calcutta. Jodhpur. Jaipur, Ahmedabad. Ludhiana, Agra, Chandigarh and Allahabad. Gajner Palace organises a pick up and drop from the Bikaner railway station, which is 36 kms from the Palace.

Sight seeing in Bikaner:
(36 Kms from Gajner)
Junagarh Fort The imposing fort was built between 1589 and 1594 by Raja Rai Singh, one of the trusted Rajput generals of Akbar. The fort defied every attack that was made on it and stands proud and unconquered. The perimeter wall is nearly a kilometer long, with 37 bastions and two gates. The Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) is the main access to the inside. Within are a profusion of palaces (37 of them), pavilions and temples. Each palace is, in turn, a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, lowers and kiosks.

Sadul Museum: Housed in the Lalgarh Palace, the Sadul museum has a very large collection of old Bikaner State photographs and also personal belongings of the Maharajas till the 1940's.

Deshnook Temple: Away from the city, on the way to Jodhpur, is the famous temple devoted to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple offers a haven to rats as they are believed to be sacred.

Camel Breeding Farm: The only camel-breeding farm in Asia is worth a visit. There are hundreds of camels here. Take a ride on one, watch the calves gamboling, or submit to a lecture from a traditional camel breeder, over a cup of camel milk. The farm is open in the afternoon only.

Devi Kund Sagar (32 km): Devi Kund is where the members of the Bika dynasty were consigned to the flames. Many royal chattris (umbrella shaped cenotaphs) stand here. The most imposing is that of Maharaja Surat Singh, built in white marble with Bikaneri paintings on the ceiling.

Sightseeing in Kolayat: (Approx. 20 kms from Gajner).
Kolayatji Temple: Located on the way to Jaisalmer, this temple is dedicated to Kapil Muni. It is the site of a famous annual fair, which is held in the month of Kartik. Thousands of pilgrims flock to this ancient town to bathe in the holy waters of the Kolayat Lake on full moon nights. A cattle auction and camel sports are the major draws of this annual festivity.

Kodamdeshar Temple: This temple lies 10 km off the highway to Jaisalmer. It is dedicated to Lord Bhairavnath and is situated on the banks of a picturesque take. The peculiarity of this temple is that it does not have roof; many have tried to construct one but have not succeeded.

Special Evenings at Gajner Palace:
Sand Dune Dinner with folk performances;
Sanctuary Dinner with a Shikar setting;
Top Terrace dinner, a romantic setting;
Lake Terrace Dinner - Special dinner on the Imperial Terrace with Cultural programmes;
Floating Island Dinner (on the Gajner Sake)

Gajner Palace has been one of the hosts for The Jewel of lndia Car Rally (1st as well as 2nd); many ad films, music videos and catalogues have been shot in these beautiful settings. Celebrities like the British theatre actress, Dame Diana Rigg has come to Gajner on a nostalgic visit.

Besides, hosting lifestyle events and film-shoots, Gajner appeals to nature lovers, bird watchers, adventure tourists and honeymooners. Gajner is fast gaining popularity with corporate for their yearly get-togethers. People interested in the history of the region and those who like to visit religious shrines find Gajner an exciting destination.