Gajner wild life sanctuary is
situated 32kms from Bikaner on Jaisalmer road. The lush
foliage of the woods here have a number of neelgais(blue
bull), waterfowls, chinkara (black buck), particularly
flocks of imperial sandgrouse and wild boar living here.It
is considered as the prettiest place in the region, with a
lake, a palace, wooded hills and gardens. The lake at
Gajner attracts water birds in thousands, the imperial
sand grouse from Siberia being the most important of
these. Large herds of deers can be seen here grazing
freely. It was developed into a shooting ground for the
royalty. Hunting, as a rule, was a sport limited only to
the feudal chiefs and the Maharajas. Major game was hunted
only during the period of British Raj . The palace, built
by Maharaja Ganga Singhji, served as resort. There was
invitation to the annual sandgrouse shoot in Bikaner that
no one dared miss: it simply belonged on the top of the
heap in society, so designed by Maharaja Ganga Singh at
this hunting lodge. Royalty, both Indian as well as
international, Viceroys and other dignitaries have been
entertained here. The part of palace has now been
transformed into a heritage hotel. |