Trip To Bikaner Bikaner, Rajasthan

No trip in Rajasthan seems complete without sighting “The Ships of the Desert” – camels. These extremely hardy animals, which can go without water for days, are an important mode of transportation in the desert part of Rajasthan. In 1984, the Government of India established the National Research Centre on Camel in the outskirts of Bikaner. A visit to this camel farm was part of the itinerary when we stayed at Gaj Kesri, Bikaner.

We reached the research centre in the afternoon when the camels were just back from grazing in the desert. There were different enclosures for the males, females, and calves. There were camels in all sizes and shades and it was fun to see them frolicking among each other. Camels were usually peaceful we were told. But if they were angry, they could get very aggressive. At such times, the upset camels were kept in separate enclosures so that they did not harm others. There were separate enclosures for sick camels.

The enclosure that stole our hearts was the nursery. The newborn calves were kept here with their mothers till they were feeding on their own. We came across the keeper who looked like a portly grandfather oozing affection. An abandoned camel was snuggling against him in all comfort.

Visitors took turns in holding the feeding bottle while feeding the abandoned calf.

The research centre team studies the health and welfare of camels as well as business prospects for using these cattle. Scientists here engage with all camel stakeholders to advance camel development. They also have a camel dairy here and the milk is used for making ice creams, kulfis, and cold coffee. The products are available at a counter here at very affordable prices. We tried their ice cream and cold coffee. The milk was slightly salty and added an interesting edge to these items.

People visit Rajasthan for the forts and desert and shopping. But if you are at Bikaner, along with Karni Mata Temple, do keep the Camel Research Centre on your to-do list. It is a mere 8 km from the city but a unique activity that would appeal to the young and old.