Neglected Heritage.

GANGA THEATER; The oldest theater of Bikaner, Built on order of then His Highness King Maharaja Shri Ganga Singhji. We have heard tales of the splendid & glorious interiors and exteriors of th theater from our parents and grand parents. How splendorous and glorious Ganga Theater used to be. How a flowing water waterfall used to b there. Ornate and decorated interiors gave the theater a feel of royalty.

Now this beautiful and glorious structure stands abandoned and neglected by everyone including the civil authorities, the Royal family (the original creator and owner of the theater) and the common man, as now everyone wants to go to the multiplex and other grander theater and nobody even care to give this once glorious grand structure a glance.








As now you can see how the paint is peeling off, glass in window panes lays shattered, walls are used for graffiti and markings and direction, space in front of it is being used as parking, and other sides of walls being used as someplace to spit at and urinate at which is totally disgusting. People not only ignoring its existence now, they are defacing the "once ornate jewel" in the crown of the royal family of Bikaner then. Though thee "Black Sheep" of the family now, can turn to be one of the wonders and tourist attractions of Bikaner. All Ganga Theater require is proper care and love of his family: "All the Bikaneris."

If remodeled/renovated and incorporating the new technologies like Dolby/DTS and the new age projector and all along with the glory and splendor of older time can creat wonder just like the "Raj Mandir" of Jaipur and this could turn out to be one of the "Golden Egg" laying hen for Bikaner. But people, Administration and royal family not only neglecting and ignoring the theater but its potential as well. Located at the most prime location. The public park, besides all the high ranked administrative office, the collectorate, the Civil court, the main telephone exchange of BSNL and the newly under contruction/renovation children park and toy train, the lilly pond. The theater has some beautiful parks and ornate fountains around the locality which are very beautiful and soothing. The old pakistani battle tank placed as the sign of victory in 1971 battles. And just in front of the junagurh fort. And if a couple of restaurants and an ice cream parlor/food court come up around the theater.... this could become the biggest family attraction and picnic sport for all the bikaneris. Since the public park is already being beautifued by the Administration then why is this jewel is being neglected.

Public park already attracts many people during the day and even more during the evening time for spending time amidst the lush greenry and peace of the park. And one of the main attraction of children. Even i remember myself always eager to go for a picnic in public park when i was young, then as i grew up i saw this public park getting worse from bad and only people with illicite conducte used to throng the locality sometimes back. But by god's grace, Administration took some care of it and now its back to its glory now, yet the poor Ganga Theater stands neglected. Waiting for someone to come by, and take care of it and love it like old times.