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When it comes to travelling, Rajasthan is one of the most visited places in India and we are sure that most of you have been to this part of the country quite a number of times. Rajasthan is one of the best jewels in India's crown. Be it forts, fancy palaces, colourful festivals, fascinating traditions, ghoomar dance or wildlife encounters, this North Indian state has it all.
In Rajasthan, which is known for its heritage and royalty, there is a lot to explore. From the streets and forts to the large traditional houses, popularly known as havelis that were built centuries ago, everything has its own story of existence. One such example of havelis is the Rampuria Haveli in Bikaner.
Rampuria Haveli, known as the pride of Bikaner, is an exquisite blend of antiquity, grandeur and exquisiteness. There are plenty of surviving havelis in the city of Bikaner, but this haveli is undoubtedly the grandest of them all. Built in Dulmera red sandstone, the magnificent royal mansion was structured to befit the wealthy lifestyle of the most powerful merchant family, the Rampurias. According to the folklore, the splendour of a haveli was directly proportionate to the owner's wealth in those days. However, each of the seven havelis has its own name but all of them are collectively known as the Rampuria Haveli.
History Of The Rampuria Haveli, Bikaner
Around the 1400s, Balujee Chalva idealised and constructed the Rampuria Haveli following the orders of Rampuria, the rich, influential merchant family of Bikaner.
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.
However, the descendants of the Rampurias no longer live in these mansions and most of them have settled abroad. The haveli is now left to its caretakers. The family divided Rampuria Haveli and inherited the mansion in several parts. The mansions have been divided into little houses with independent owners and not by any single owner.
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. The exterior structure is dominated by the jharokhas, providing the haveli with a most picturesque look.
Most parts of this massive haveli are decorated with golden work of the highest quality, while the inner halls and rooms are beautified with aesthetic forms of art. There is a seamless blend of Victorian art forms with that of the Mughal Era along with wooden carvings.
How To Reach The Rampuria Haveli
One can easily reach Rampuria Haveli in Bikaner by availing taxis or buses as these elegant mansions are well connected by roads of the city. The Jodhpur International Airport is located at a distance of 251 km and thus, the visitors can also travel by flight up to the nearest location.
Best Time To Visit The Haveli
Bikaner is located right in the Thar Desert area; hence, it is ideal to visit the Rampuria Haveli during the winter season. Although the temperatures can dip to freezing points during winter, it is better than the dry summer weather which averages around 45-degree Celsius.
Timings To Visit The Rampuria Haveli
Most of the haveli is up for display to the public. The haveli is open throughout the year and one can visit this magnificent mansion between 6 am and 6 pm.
