| |
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 private wildlife sanctuary,
adjacent to the imposing palace and is home
to endangered antelopes like the 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.
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 trips to the Palace. In addition,
the Palace offers thirty-one deluxe rooms
that form part of Gulab Niwas (used by high
profile railway officers in the past), 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 modern
convenience such as air-conditioning.
 
|
|
