Sikar is a city and

municipal council A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, borough cou ...

in the Sikar district of the state of

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. It is the administrative headquarters of the Sikar district. It is largest city of the

Shekhawati Shekhawati is a region in the northern part of the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Rajasthan, comprising the districts of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu district, Churu. The language of this region is also called Shekhawat ...

region, which consists of Sikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu. After Kota, Sikar is number one coaching hub in the country for competitive examination preparations and has a number of engineering and medical coaching institutes.It is also known as Rajasthan's 'Mini Kota'. Sikar is also a major hub for agricultural trade, given it is surrounded by large plains areas west of the

Aravalli range The Aravalli Range (also spelled ''Aravali'') is a mountain range in North India, Northern-Western India, running approximately in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Ahme ...

. It is also a major rail and road junction. Sikar is a historical city and contains many old havelis. It is away from

Jaipur Jaipur (; , ) is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and the List of cities and towns in Rajasthan, largest city of the north-western States and union territories of India, Indian state of Rajasthan. , the city had ...

, from

Jodhpur Jodhpur () is the second-largest city of the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, after its capital Jaipur. As of 2023, the city has a population of 1.83 million. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Jodhpur district and ...

, from

Bikaner Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the States and territories of India, state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. It is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. Fo ...

, and from

New Delhi New Delhi (; ) is the Capital city, capital of India and a part of the Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the Government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Parliament ...

. Sikar district is also popular for

Khatu Shyam Temple Khatu Shyam Temple (Rajasthani languages, Rajasthani/Hindi: खाटू श्याम मंदिर) is a Hindu temple situated in Khatoo, Rajasthan, Khatoo town in the Sikar district of the Indian State of Rajasthan. It is a site for worsh ...

, situated in the town of Khatoo, 16 km from Reengus town and 45 km from Sikar city. Another place for which Sikar is famous is the Harsh Parvat, part of Aravalli Range. Mainly, Harsh Parvat is known for the Harsh Temple, which is historical temple. Moreover, it is a tourist place where people come to enjoy the mansoon season and greenery of mountains.

History

Sikar had been the biggest Thikana (Estate) of the Jaipur state. Previously Sikar was known as Shekhawati Pradesh. It was the capital of Thikana Sikar. Sikar is surrounded by fortified walls consisting of seven "Pols" (gates). These historic gates are named: Bawari Gate, Fatehpuri Gate, Nani Gate, Surajpole Gate, Dujod Gate Old, Dujod Gate New, and Chandpole Gate. Previously Gaur dynasty ruled this estate but after defeated by Shekhawat Rajputs, shekhawat rajputs becomes rulers of this region.

Geography and climate

Geography

Sikar city is the district headquarters of

's Sikar district, which is situated in the eastern part of

. It is the sixth most populous city of Rajasthan. It is located at. It has an average elevation of .

Climate

Demographics

Sikar City had a population of about 237,579 people according to the census of 2011. As per provisional reports of Census India, the population of Sikar in 2011 is 237,579; of which there are approximately 123,156 males and 114,423 females. The sex ratio of Sikar City is 929 females per 1000 males. Regarding education, total literates in Sikar city are 158,413 of which 91,403 are males while 67,010 are females. The average literacy rate of Sikar City is 77.13, male and female literacy status is 86.29 and 67.37, respectively. The total population of children (0–6) in Sikar City is about 32,189, consisting of 17,236 boys and 14,953 girls. The child sex ratio of girls is 868 per 1000 boys.

Popular places

Sikar, a city rich in cultural heritage, offers several fascinating places to visit: *

: A renowned pilgrimage site, this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna’s incarnation, Khatu Shyam Ji. It attracts devotees from all parts of the country. * Harshnath Temple: Located about 11 kilo-meters from Sikar, this ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva dates back to 973 CE. It offers a hilly area scene with historical significance. * Lachhmangarh Fort: built by Rao Raja Laxman Singh in 1805. * Nehru Park: One of the largest parks in Sikar. * Smriti van: one of the biggest park * Bheruji Temple, Reengus: A renowned pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord

Bhairava Bhairava (, ), or Kāla Bhairava, is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva.Kramrisch, Stella (1994). ''The Presence of Śiva''. Princeton, NJ: P ...

Administration

Sikar city is governed by a Municipal Council, which comes under the Sikar Urban Agglomeration. The new municipal council building is built in Shekhawati style like a mahal or haveli. Sikar city is divided into 60 wards. Although Sikar city has a population of 237,579 (in 2011), its urban/metropolitan population is 244,563 (in 2011). The Sikar metropolitan area includes Chandrapura (Rural), Radhakrishnpura, Samarthpura, Shivsinghpura and Sikar city.

Education

Sikar has emerged as a significant educational hub, particularly for competitive exam preparation. The city of Sikar hosts numerous coaching institutes that offer specialized training for medical and engineering entrance exams such as

NEET A NEET, an acronym for "Not in Education, Employment, or Training", is a person who is Unemployment, unemployed and not receiving an education or Vocational education, vocational training. The classification originated in the United Kingdom in ...

and IIT-JEE, attracting students from rural areas and neighbouring states, including

Haryana Haryana () is a States and union territories of India, state located in the northern part of India. It was carved out after the linguistic reorganisation of Punjab, India, Punjab on 1 November 1966. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with les ...

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...

. This approach has been associated with lower stress levels compared to other coaching hubs like Kota. Sikar is home to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University, which offers higher education programs in various fields. Additionally, government colleges in Sikar provide undergraduate and postgraduate courses in arts, sciences, and commerce, while private institutions contribute significantly to the educational landscape. Notable private institutes include Mody University of Science and Technology in Laxmangarh, which focuses on women’s education, and Bhartiya and Sobhasaria Engineering Colleges. A Government Polytechnic College also operates in the district. Sikar is also home to Shri Kalyan Government Medical College, a tertiary medical institution offering

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (; MBBS, also abbreviated as BM BS, MB ChB, MB BCh, or MB BChir) is a medical degree granted by medical schools or universities in countries that adhere to the United Kingdom's higher education tradi ...

(MBBS) and postgraduate courses. Sikar has gained recognition for its success in medical entrance exams, with several students achieving high ranks in NEET, including All India Rank 1 in 2024. In the field of engineering, Sikar achieved its highest rank to date in the IIT-JEE (Advanced) examination, securing All India Rank 11 in 2016. In NEET UG 2025, Mahesh Kumar of Hanumangarh got All India Rank 1 with 686 marks out of 720, and topped the exam while studying at a private coaching institute in Sikar.

Notable persons

Politicians

* Narayan Singh Burdak - RPCC Chief and former minister in Government of Rajasthan * Govind Singh Dotasra - RPCC Chief and former minister in Government of Rajasthan * Mahadeo Singh Khandela - former union minister in

Government of India The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...

* Gopal Singh Khandela - former minister in Government of Rajasthan * Banshidhar Bajiya - former minister in Government of Rajasthan *

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (23 October 1923 – 15 May 2010) was an Indian politician who served as the vice president of India. He served in that position from August 2002, when he was elected to a five-year term by the electoral college fol ...

- 11th vice president of India * Ramdev Singh Maharia - former minister in Government of Rajasthan * Subhash Maharia - former union minister in

* Amra Ram - MP from Sikar * Harlal Singh Kharra - former minister in Government of Rajasthan * Jhabhar Singh Kharra - minister in Government of Rajasthan

Businessmans

* Jamnalal Bajaj - founder of the Bajaj Group

Sport persons

* Bajrang Lal Takhar - Indian rower * Radhey Shyam - Indian basketball player * Aditya Garhwal - Indian Cricketer

Others

* Swami Keshwanand - Indian freedom fighter and social reformer * Digendra Kumar -

Mahavir Chakra The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) () is the second highest military Medal, decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced ...

recipient for bravery in

Kargil War The Kargil War, was fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in the Kargil district of Ladakh, then part of the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir (state), Jammu and Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LoC). In In ...

* Himani Shah - Princess of Sikar (now Former Crown Princess of Nepal) * Priyan Sain - Indian beauty pageant titleholder * Jamnalal Bajaj- He was an industrialist and freedom fighter * Lothoo Nitharwal - freedom fighter * Anjana Devi Chaudhary - first woman from Rajasthan state to be arrested during freedom struggle and wife of Ram Narayan Chaudhary * Roop Kanwar - victim of sati practice * Sobhagya Singh Shekhawat - Rajasthani language writer

Modes of transportation

Rail

Sikar Junction railway station comes within the territory of the North Western Railway. Sikar City is connected to Jhunjhunu,

Rewari Rewari is a city and a municipal council in Rewari district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is the district headquarters of Rewari district. It is located in south-west Haryana around 82 km from DelhiDelhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...

, Churu,

, Sri Ganganagar, Hisar,

, Kota,

Ajmer Ajmer () is a city in the north-western States and union territories of India, Indian state of Rajasthan. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Ajmer district and Ajmer division. It lies at the centre of Rajasthan, earning it the ...

Udaipur Udaipur (Hindi: , ) (ISO 15919: ''Udayapura'') is a city in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, about south of the state capital Jaipur. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Udaipur district. It is the historic capital of t ...

, Abu Road,

Indore Indore (; ISO 15919, ISO: , ) is the largest and most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The commercial capital of the state, it has been declared as the List of cleanest cities in India, cleanest city of In ...

Ahmedabad Ahmedabad ( ), also spelled Amdavad (), is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 ...

and

Mumbai Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

Mathura Mathura () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the states and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located south-east of Delhi; and about from the town of Vrindavan. In ancient ti ...

Prayagraj Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benar ...

Alwar Alwar ( Rajasthani Pronunciation: �lʋəɾ is a city located in India's National Capital Region (NCR) and the administrative headquarters of Alwar District in the state of Rajasthan. It is located 150 km south of Delhi and 150 km ...

. New lines proposed since 2010 are Sikar to Nokha via Sujangarh and Sikar to Neem-Ka-Thana via Udaipurwati.

Road

Sikar is well connected by roads from all the major cities of

and nearby states. A four-lane national highway NH-52 passes through the city. NH-52 connects Sikar with

and

. The western freight corridor also pass through Ringas of Sikar, as a main project of the central government. Kotputali Kuchaman Mega Highway also passes through Sikar. Jhunjhunu-Jaipur state highway is also passes through Sikar.

Airport

The nearest airport to Sikar City is

Jaipur International Airport Jaipur International Airport is an international airport serving Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. It is located in the southern suburb of Sanganer, located from the city centre. It is the List of the busiest airports in India, 13th-busiest a ...

, which operates daily flights to

Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

Bangalore Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...

Pune Pune ( ; , ISO 15919, ISO: ), previously spelled in English as Poona (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1978), is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau in Western ...

Chennai Chennai, also known as Madras (List of renamed places in India#Tamil Nadu, its official name until 1996), is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Tamil Nadu by population, largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and ...

Guwahati Guwahati () the largest city of the Indian state of Assam, and also the largest metropolis in northeastern India. Dispur, the capital of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the seat of the Government of Assam. Th ...

Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...

Dubai Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...

Sharjah Sharjah (; ', Gulf Arabic: ''aš-Šārja'') is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, after Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the D ...

, and

Muscat Muscat (, ) is the capital and most populous city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the population of the Muscat Governorate in 2022 was 1.72 million. ...

. A new airport is proposed at Shahpura (a town in Jaipur district) that is very close to Sikar. A small air strip at Tarpura village is also available for the landing of small private planes against payment. *

References

External links

Official page:Sikar
{{Authority control Cities and towns in Sikar district Shekhawati Thar Desert