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Gajner Palace (32 kms from Bikaner) -a summer resort of Bikaner Maharajas -has often been described as ‘ an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert’. Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh ji of Bikaner, palace stands on the embankment of a lake .The palace was used by Maharaja for grand shoots and lavish entertainment. Royalty, both Indian as well as international, Viceroys and other dignitaries have been entertained at this grand palace. The architecture of Gajner palace is truly outstanding. Built in red sandstone with intricately carved pillars, jharokhas and screens , the craftsmanship here is amazing.A part of palace has been transformed into hotel.

In the 18th century ,when Maharaja Gaj Singh married a Jaisalmer Princess, she requested him to build a pleasure garden which he proceeded to do, also creating a tank in the process. This is how Gajner was conceived, and this was added to by the successive rulers, till maharaja Sardar Singh extended it into a hunting lodge with an even larger tank. It was this inheritance that Maharaja Ganga Singh was able to use for diplomatic gains, perfecting the hunt to a fine art, and contagious with the hospitality with which it became associated. It was during his rule too that the new Gajner palace was designed by sir Swinton Jacob, complete with twin dressing rooms per room to allow couples to get dressed at their own pace. While the annex to the main palace was opened as a hotel in 1976, the palace too is a hotel now with 25 rooms and a restaurant on the premises.

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