Bundi is a small town with rustic setting that stands on the foothills of the Aravali Mountains. Bundi is very famous for its baolis meaning waterworks or step wells, havelis, temples and chhatris with carved pillars. The mural adorned palaces, the forts and the monuments tell tales about the glorious past of the city. A picturesque lake where the entire city and the palaces get reflected in the lake adds a stunning quality to the place.

Location

Bundi is located in the South East region of Rajasthan and lies at a distance of 206 km from Jaipur and 36 km away from Kota.

How To Reach

By Air:
The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport.

By Rail:
The nearest railroad is Kota.

By Road:
Bundi is well connected to all the cities within Rajasthan. There are buses and tourist taxis available from Jaipur and Kota.

Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Bundi is October- March.

History

In the past, a tribe called Meena inhabited this region and Bundi derived its name from the tribe' chieftain's name - Bunda Meena. In the 12th century Bundi came under the dominion of the Chauhans and reached its highest glory in the medieval times. The glory of Bundi declined with the Mughal rule and later became an independent state.

Places to See

Taragarh Fort:
The white fort that stands on a wooded hill is one of most striking forts of Rajasthan. The fort was raised in 1354 A.D and has a colossal gateway. Inside the fort one can see the colossal battlement called Burj and a large reservoir carved out of solid rock. The fort offers a bird's eye view of the town and a fascinating vista of the sunset.

The Bundi Palace:
The marvelous structure located adjoining the Taragarh Fort atop the hill, exhibits the extraordinary craftsmanship of the place. The awe-inspiring traditional murals are characteristic of the splendor and opulence of the royal dwellers of this palace. Chitrashala is a part of the Bundi Palace and consists of an art gallery or pavilion that exhibits miniature colorful murals depicting scenes from the Ragmala and Raaslila-the story of Radha-Krishna.

Chhattar Mahal or Palace or Towers:
This palace can be reached by a steep path. The palace houses the the Naubat Khana, Hazari Pol or Gate of the thousand, the Hathi Pol with its ancient water clock and the Diwann-e- Aam.

Ratan Daulat:
This remarkable structure that comprises of a stable for nine horses and a Hatia Pol was built by Rao Raja Ratan Singh.

Sukh Mahal:
It is a luxurious summer palace surrounded by a beautiful verdant garden on the Sukh Sagar Lake.

Eighty Four Pillared Cenotaph:
A magnificent memorial with84 pillars in a single cenotaph along with a Shiva lingam was erected by Rao Anirudh.

Nawal Sagar:
Near the Bundi palace is the artificial lake of- Nawal Sagar where a shrine is dedicated to Varuna, the Aryan god of water is locate at the centre.
bundi

Baolis:
The renowned step wells or baolis are Raniji-ki-Baoli that exhibit lovely carvings, the Nagar Sagar Dhabhai Kund and the Bhora-ji-ka-Kund. Kshar Bagh and Phool Sagar are other major tourist attractions.

Accommodation Facilities:

Tourists can stay in the following hotels that provide luxurious accommodation-
Haveli Braj Bhushanjee
Heritage Hotel
Hotel Ishwari Niwas Palace
Hotel Royal Retreat
Budget Hotel
Hotel Vrindawati