Recce-ing Around

A walk around the Lalgarh Estate will give you a broader view of the magnificence of the House of Bikaner. A palace constructed for Maharaja Ganga Singhji’s eldest son, Bikram Mahal, draws you in with its grand façade. In it you will find a swimming pool attached to every suite and details like large metal street lanterns imported from London in Queen Victoria’s time. A part of it has been donated for the state towards space for a veterinary college.

The Civil Courts are sessioned inside another palace for a member of the royal family. This one has superb balconies and Doric columns, and classical steps with a loggia leading indoors. His Highness’ office whose stately large dome harkens back to balls and banquets and somehow not the cabinet meetings he held here lies further down the open road.

Keep going and you’re on to the main road and five minutes away from Junagadh Fort and the Seer Sagar tank, a historic artificial water body dug opposite the fort.