Kodamdeshwar Temple – Bikaner’s Oldest Living Temple

Lord Shiva’s Kodamdeshwar Temple is one of the most renowned and oldest sites in Bikaner that holds historical and religious significance. Some say that Rao Bika began the city by first praying here. The temple is peaceful and spiritually associated; many people travel there to visit or pray. Being close to the city, it has an ambience of serenity and people can pray as they feel connected to the local culture.

History of Kodamdeshwar Temple

Kodamdeshwar Temple of Lord Shiva is the ancient and most revered temple of Bikaner. Rao Bika, the city’s founder, who visited the temple to pray before building Bikaner in the 15th century and this specialty enhances its historical value. He believed Lord Shiva’s good wishes would guide him to success.

After that, the temple remained important for local people to gather and worship. Many people continue to visit in order to pray and receive blessings. The building’s simplicity and the calm atmosphere make the place very spiritual. It is a mark of religious and cultural importance in Bikaner.

Step into Royalty: Top Places to Visit in Bikaner for 2025

Religious and Cultural Importance of Temple

Kodamdeshwar Temple is important to the Bikaner community in terms of religion and culture. Lord Shiva is venerated there adn people visit to witness blessings, calmness and spiritual strength. Locals often think that prayers asked here are sure to be fulfilled, mostly issue of marriage and beginnings.

The establishment of Bikaner is connected to the temple through its significance to the local culture. The temple of Bikaner became special as it was the land, where Rao Bika first prayed before establishing the city. On Mahashivratri, the temple is converted into the centre of cultural activities, praying, and age-old rituals. Since people from surrounding villages visit to the temple, it stays lively with local practices and beliefs.

Plan your visit: Karni Mata Temple, the shrine of sacred rats

Best Time to Visit 

People should visit Kodamdeshwar Temple in Bikaner between October and March, as the weather during that time is very comfortable and Vibrant. The festival season of Maha Shivratri makes it a good opportunity to see the temple, with all its events. Do not plan a trip to Bikaner in summer, since it is extremely hot and not pleasant for outdoor activities.

Step into royalty: Discover Bikaner’s majestic Junagarh Fort

Timings to visit Temple

Visiting hours of Kodamdeshwar Shiv Temple for divine blessings and worshipping are from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. At the same time, festive seasons like Maha Shivaratri can extend visiting times. It is recommended to visit early in the morning to avoid the heavy crowd and heat.

Don’t miss this: Explore Lalgarh Palace’s Indo-Victorian elegance

How to Reach Kodamdeshwar Temple

Kodamdeshwar Temple is in Bikaner and reaching bikaner will be the most easier and comfortable, if you choose appropriately:

• By Flight: You can get a flight from your nearby airport to Bikaner’s Nal Airport, which is 13km from Bikaner City. On the other hand, you can choose to fly to Jodhpur Airport (251 km from Bikaner), which allows diverse national and international flights.

• By Train: The Bikaner Junction enables travellers to visit the temple from major cities like Delhi and Jaipur. After departure, you can rent a taxi to this Temple from the nearby areas of the Airport.

• By Bus: Bikaner can be accessed through private and government buses from all cities in Rajasthan. These buses operate from every city in Rajasthan, particularly from Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Frequently Asked Questions