The crown of Thar Desert was founded by Rao Bika in 1488 AD. It has a blend of modernity and old culture, a royal culture emanating from chivalry, tradition and faith.  

Realising that a struggle for his paternal inheritance was unlikely to bear fruit, prince Bikaji, the son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, decided to chart out his own destiny. He assembled a strong force of young worriors which proved to be powerful in the hazardous desert. At Deshnoke he sought the blessings of Karni Mata, a mystic. She blessed him and prophesied victory and thus Bikaji defeated his opponents and founded the city of Bikaner in 1488. Desert city Bikaner stands on a slight eminence and has fascinating royal monuments, temples, havelies and colorful bazaars.

Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breeading farm in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides doing transportation duties, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Celebrations are a way of life in Bikaner as seen in its colorful festivities. The exotic Desert City throbs to life when the Ship of desert majestically move in processions swaying music. Bikaner has retained its medieval aura, and traditional life style unruffled by modernity.