Nagaur, and Khimsar, palace fort in the dessert.

On the road between Bikaner and Jodhpur is the old town of nagaur. Although Nagaur has never been the centre of a Princely state, it has very ancient links, its mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharata, where Arjun (Krishna was his charioteer in the epic battle against the Kauravas-see post on Vrindavan) conquers this place then known as Ahichhatrapur. Later, Nagaur was first occupied by the Naga clan of Rajputs and then the Chauhan clan of Rajputs, its romantic leader Amar Singh defied the Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan (of the Taj Mahal fame) and was killed for this. see link for this episode and this link for more info on Nagaur.


For a very unique stay in the heart of a dessert, Khimsar with its fortress, and an opulent palace within, is a must visit. The fort was built by Rao Karamsiji, a son of Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur.



This great Prince (Rao Jodha) seems to have been fortunate in sons who were as ambitious as him, his other son Rao Bhika founded the Princedom and city of Bikaner, and the rulers of many other states were descended from him. The present occupant of this dessert fort, a scion of Karamsiji's line , runs a superb hotel in the Palace and he and his family personally look after the guests.
Here is a link for more info; and one more link .
Link for history of the Khimsar family .
first 6 pictures festival in and views of Nagaur Fort; next 5 pictures of Khimsar fort.