History: The origins of Gajner trace back to an episode of tender longing. When Maharaja Gaj Singh of Bikaner journeyed home from Jaisalmer following his nuptials with the princess of Jaisalmer kingdom, he paused at Chandasar to rest. There, his new bride — overcome by homesickness — confessed that the desertscape reminded her of Jaisalmer. She longed for a place that could mirror her homeland’s beauty. Stirred by her sentiment, the Maharaja envisioned a verdant retreat for her solace. From among her retinue, a skilled gardener versed in the secrets of desert agriculture was chosen to transform a nearby depression known as Magra into a garden paradise. To nourish this arid idyll, the Maharaja commissioned the creation of an artificial lake, Gaj Sagar, and a charming water pavilion, the Jal Mahal. A small village, Gajsinghpura, sprang into being beside it — a name that, over the years, metamorphosed into the Gajner we know today. Yet, in 1808, the tranquillity was shattered when troops from Jodhpur, engaged in siege warfare with Bikaner, razed the palace. The spirit of Gajner, however, proved resilient. The site was revived and expanded by successive rulers — notably Sardar Singh, Dungar Singh, and ultimately Ganga Singh.
During the devastating famine of 1899, Gaj Sagar ran dry. Maharaja Ganga Singh ordered to deepen and widen the lake to hold enough water for two years. It came to possess a staggering capacity of 50 million cubic feet, with a catchment spanning over 50 square miles (129.5 sq. km). The once barren terrain flourished. Gajner also became one of the Maharaja’s two private game reserves, rivalled only by the likes of Sandringham and Balmoral. Royalty and British dignitaries were entertained with grand hunting expeditions. What gives Gajner Palace its unique identity is its symbiotic relationship with nature. The palace grounds are now part of the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary — home to nilgai, chinkara, desert foxes, and migratory birds such as imperial sandgrouse that flock to the lake in winter. The original hunting lodge has thus transformed into a quiet ecological haven, where the cries of peacocks replace the trumpet of fanfare.
In the olden days of the British Raj, the palace served as an opulent retreat for royal sport, luring an array of eminent figures from across the Empire. Among its most distinguished guests were the Prince of Wales in the year 1905, the Governor General Lord Elgin, Lord Irwin in 1927, and later, Lord Mountbatten during his tenure as the Viceroy of India. Of all the glittering affairs held under its expansive skies, none surpassed the famed Imperial Sand Grouse shoots during the Christmas season—an invitation to which was considered the very pinnacle of social prestige in the subcontinent. On one remarkable day, forty guns reportedly brought down 11,000 birds, including the elusive great Indian bustard and the elegant sandgrouse.
Architecture: Between 1910 and 1913, the palace that now dominates the lakeside was conceived. Maharaja Ganga Singh engaged the renowned architect Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob — the same genius behind Lalgarh Palace. The suites and courtyards of Gajner Palace are adorned with floral friezes, jali-work screens, and vintage tiles — testament to a marriage of Indian craftsmanship and Edwardian taste. Crafted from lustrous pink sandstone, the palace features stately guest quarters and refined interiors, furnished by the distinguished John Roberts & Co. of Bombay. Its architectural grandeur, replete with scalloped arches, sprawling courtyards, and carved balconies, stood as a harmonious blend of Rajputana tradition and colonial flair.
Karni Singh, Ganga Singh’s grandson, was influenced by his vegetarian mother and personally disinclined toward hunting. So, he transformed Gajner into a place of hospitality, reserving hunting grounds for memories alone.
How to Reach: Situated in the district of Bikaner in western Rajasthan, Gajner Palace is accessible yet sufficiently distant to evoke a sense of discovery. The nearest railhead is Bikaner Junction, which is well connected to Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. From Bikaner, the palace is a short 40-minute drive through winding desert roads. For air travellers, the nearest airport is in Jodhpur, approximately 250 kilometres away, though a small domestic airport in Bikaner (Nal Airport) caters to limited regional flights. By road, national and state highways ensure seamless connectivity to Bikaner and, by extension, to Gajner.
Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Gajner Palace is between October and March, when the desert climate is cool and the lake teems with birdlife. During this season, the palace assumes a dreamlike quality — bathed in golden light by day and resonant with the sounds of folk music by night. Summers, though sweltering, attract fewer visitors and may appeal to those seeking solitude and reflection.
Now managed by the HRH Group of Hotels, the palace spans over 6,000 acres of forested land, divided into elegant wings — Dungar Niwas, Mandir Chowk, Gulab Niwas, and Champa Niwas. Migratory birds continue to grace the lake in great flocks, affirming Gajner’s enduring identity — a palace where nature, nobility, and nostalgia converge.