Bundi

Bundi is a town in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan state in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris. It is the administrative headquarters of Bundi District. Bundi has many temples, so it is called "Chhoti Kashi". Settled near a narrow gorge surrounded on three sides by hills of the Aravalli ranges, Bundi is one of the historical and cultural treasures of Rajasthan. The 12th century town is situated in the Hadoti region of the royal state. The town is known for glorious medieval forts, temples, havelis and magnificent palaces. Majorly inhabited by Parihar Meenas in the ancient times, Bundi was previously named as Bunda-Ka-Nal which means ‘Narrow ways’. As per the name, the structure of the city has been incorporated with narrow lanes and surroundings. Apart from the magnificent forts and palaces, the land of Bundi is gifted with the bounty of nature. Its scenic beauty is so magnetic that it has inspired great authors and artists like Rabindranath Tagore and Rudyard Kipling to use it as their muse.

Taragarh Fort is ranked among the best forts in the country. The marvelous architecture and skill of craftsmen have enlivened these ancient structures. Bundi is best known for its step wells. Known as Baoris in the local language, this was the only source of water for the people of the region. There are more than 50 step wells in the region, but only a handful has been maintained. The step wells boast of exquisite beauty and architectural excellence.

Bundi History:  Bundi is an entrancing city of Rajasthan which is an important part of its tourism. The city attracts travelers from all over the world and experience and discovers its glory from the Rajput Kings and their lifetime. According to the history of Bundi the city dates back to control of Prithviraj Chauhan which started in 1193. This town is surrounded by a huge wall with four gates at four corners of the city. Bundi is surrounded by Aravalli hills and is also a wonderful destination of Rajasthan which is rich in cultural heritage. Bundi is an enchanting tourist destination located in the eastern part of Rajasthan and known for the huge number of step wells and its lavish forts, beautiful palaces and ancient step-wells.  Bundi city is actually a great tourist destination and is home to many historical treasures located under Kota division of the state and is indeed a picturesque small town in Rajasthan, and is one of the unknown cities unlike the popular ones with a rich historical heritage. According to the history of Bundi the city was formerly called as “Bunda-Ka-Nal".

Bundi city was under control of the British and there were many Rajput Kings who worked under the British to get back the control of the city but it actually kept on moving from one hand to another. Starting from 1804 when Rao Raja Bishan Singh gave complete help to Colonel Monson while he was on his devastating hideaway before Holkar, while taking revenge for which the Maratha Empire and Pindaris recurrently attacked and demolished his state and forced the kingdom to pay honor the people. And followed by the incident as a result, and according to the history of Bundi Bishan Singh made a secondary association with the British East India Company that actually protected him and he was responsible for the construction of the beautiful palace called Sukh Niwas on the suburbs of Bundi.


Tourist Attractions: Bundi, a Rajasthani town is noted for its stepwell reservoirs, palaces and forts. This ancient town has many spots worth visiting to witness grandiose and historical lifestyle, one such place is Taragarh Fort. It was built in 1354 and is also known as Star Fort. This is one of Bundi’s tourist attractions. There are three tanks inside, which never dries up. Adjacent to Taragarh Fort is Bundi Palace known for its impressive murals and frescoes. You must take a stroll in the Chitrashala (picture gallery) to behold the beauty of art. Another popular attraction of Bundi is Sukh Mahal. It is located at the banks of a placid lake and is surrounded by terraced gardens. When Rudyard Kipling was working on his novel Kim, he stayed in Sukh Mahal.

Bundi Palace:  Bundi is one of the most of the popular tourist places in Rajasthan. Blessed with an unending natural beauty, the particular place is great to visit as it boasts a perfect combination of natural beauty and historical significance. Hence, tourists of all kinds get a great experience by visiting the place. Bundi is in fact famous for baolis or step wells and water tanks. These are great attractions for tourists in Bundi. However, the forts and palaces in Bundi are also a great attraction for tourists. The Bundi Palace of Rajasthan is perfect place to visit in order to witness the extraordinary craftsmanship of Rajasthan. The various exhibits of the palace provide you a great window in to the history of the place.  The palace is reached from the north - western end of the bazaar, through a huge wooden gateway and up a steep cobbled ramp. Only one part of the outer perimeter of the palace, known as the Chittra Shala, is officially open to public. It is a fascinating pavilion and has a gallery of miniature murals that embellish the palace. Elaborate Colourful paintings on the walls depict scenes from the 'Raga mala' 'Raslila' -- the Radha-Krishna story. You can see the renowned Bundi murals at the Chattar Mahal and Badal Mahal within the palace complex. Chattar Mahal is a steep, paved carafe-way is the only way to reach the monument. Of special interest in the palace is the Hazari Pol or Gate of the thousand, the Naubat Khana, the Hathi Pol with its old water clock and the Diwann-e- Aam. Flash photography is officially prohibited. The palace looks beautiful, from a distance and when illuminated at night.

Garh Palace:  Maharao Balwant Singh started the construction of Garh Palace in Bundi. The Garh Palace is the complex of numerous palaces which were built by rulers of different times. Most of the palaces were built between the 17th and 18th centuries. After a long period of neglection Garh palace again gaining its recognition.  Garh Palace is known for its artistic Rajput style architecture which can be easily seen in its Jharokhas and pillars. Among other palaces which are famous for their decoration like Chhatra Mahal, Phool Mahal and Badal Mahal, there is a somewhat separate Ummed Mahal, famously known as ‘Chitrashala‘. Chitrashala has fascinating pavilion and a gallery of miniature murals located on a raised platform above a garden platform.

Taragarh Fort:  Taragarh Fort of Rajasthan is undeniably a renowned fort which stands out for its own identity in Bundi, Rajasthan. Taragarh Fort was the only place to an important generous state when it comes to the Rajput charm and grandeur. Taragarh Fort is a huge fort built in 1354 during the peak of Rajput rulers. It was made the capital of main princely states. This unique fort is accessible by a sharp road connecting up the hillside towards its entrance, which is decorated with wild elephants. The fort consists of huge pools etched out of hard rock and its Bhim Burj, which is the leading of the walls, on which is built up a renowned cannon. An outstanding birdeye of the city from this historical fort is one more attraction among explorers. It is believed that the Taragarh Fort was the first Hill Fort in India. The fort is also one of the oldest forts in Rajasthan that have seen a number of battles and rulers from Rajput, Muslim, Maratha and the British conquerors till date. The fort also has a historic Dargah of Hazrat Miran Syed Hussain Asghar Khangswar who was the governor of Ajmer at the time when Sultan Shahabuddin Ghori was the ruler here. But after the death of Qutubuddin Aibak, Chauhan and Rajput rulers combined attacked the fort and Miran Syed Hussain Asghar Khangswar was killed there.

 Taragarh Fort was very popular for its tunnels crossing the entire hillside. However, these tunnels are now unreachable for want of proper maps of Rajasthan. The main of its ramparts is the 16th-century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam, or ‘Thunder from the Womb’.Taragarh Fort is a mark of previous Chauhan charm and has some huge water tanks in it. These water tanks were built to store water and supply it to the residents during a time of water crisis. The water reservoirs have been fixed out of the rocky base of the fort. There is a Rani Mahal in the fort which is a small palace within the compound, and it is built for the wives and concubines of kings.

Talwas Fort:  This is a grand fort which is built by Maharaja Ajit Singh. The fort is having a close proximity to Ramgarh Sanctuary and is indeed a great one in terms of its carvings. The fort is having a beautiful pond in it and one can get to see the beautiful blooming lotus in it. The fort is one of the important tourist attractions in Bundi. Apart from this is the beautiful Ratan Sagar Lake. During the rainy season, animals like leopard, bear and deer could be spotted. Ramgarh sanctuary is located just near to Talwas.


Nawal Sagar Palace:  The Nawal Sagar Palace is a palace which is located on the banks of the Nawal Sagar Lake and the palace was built by Maharao Raja Ummed Singh and the palace is 250 years old. The palace has been converted in to a heritage hotel and there is having really comfortable and warm facilities but the rooms that were used by the kings has been kept as royal treasure.

Sukh Niwas Palace:  The Sukh Niwas Palace is located in front of the Jai Mandir of Bundi and is decorated with some of the interesting features. The doors of the Sukh Niwas Palace is made up of sandal wood and spread rich aroma in the surroundings. There are proper water channels made to allow the water to let out properly. In past times these water channels were used to flow of cold water and to keep the palace cool during the summer season. This idea was followed to have the effect of air conditioners when there was no electricity. As far as the architecture is concerned the entire palace is decorated with typical Bundi styled murals on all over the walls. The distinctive of these murals is they are in rich maroon, deep blue and off green color. Built by Maharao Raja Vishnu Singh in 1773, the Palace has a beautiful garden. It was used as a summer palace by the Maharajas of Bundi State and was the scene of festival processions. The Sukh Niwas palace is made up of the locally mined stones of Bundi. The palace is an example of one of the premium specimens of Rajput structural design. There are beautifully carved brackets, pillars and balconies in the palace. The statues of elephants are very gorgeous and made to use abundantly all over the palace.

There is a Diwan – E-Aam, Hathi pol and Naubat khana inside the palace. There is a famous chitrashila or painting room located in the palace. It gives you a glimpse in the history of the past. The walls and ceilings are completely covered with paintings of the Bundi School. There are shooting scenes, court scenes, festive processions and celebrations on the wall. There are also pictures of beautiful birds, animals and the scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. All these paintings are in very good condition and tell you a lot about the art and existence in the past. Rudyard Kipling stayed here at the Sukh Niwas Palaces, Bundi as he spent quality time in this palace and has many good memories.

Ratan Daulat:  Ratan Daulat is a popular tourist attraction of Bundi, Rajasthan. The monument stands as a symbol of the bravery, loyalty and great achievements of the Rajput Rulers. Ratan Daulat was built by Raja Rao Ratan Singh, who was one of the most noble and bravest Rajput Kings. The structure provides a lot of information related to the bygone era. The monument is uniquely designed, which speaks of the innovation involved in its construction and designing. All the coaches in the stable are beautifully designed and feature intricate carvings. Hatia Pol is also an important attraction of Ratan Daulat.

Badal Mahal:  This is an intricate museum which is located inside the Taragarh Fort and the place is famous for the dynamic and antique mural paintings. This Mahal or palace is most remembered for the beautiful murals and paintings. The walls of this majestic palace are covered with exquisite paintings. The fabled paintings in the Badal Mahal are interesting since they depict the influence of the Chinese culture in this quaint little town. The faces and the flowers that have been depicted in the paintings are a hint of the source of wealth of the city; the poppy seeds that were traditionally cultivated to carry on opium trade with China.

Nawal Sagar Lake:  Nawal Sagar Lake is one of the major tourist attractions in Bundi, and this is an artificial lake which is surrounded by many small baoris. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Varuna located in the central part of the lake and this lake is the main source of water for the different step wells of Bundi.

Jait Sagar Lake:  This is another important tourist places in Bundi which is very famous amongst the tourists and the lake is located only 2 kilometers away from the Taragarh Fort and one can see the beautiful lotuses blooming on it.   This 1.5 km long lake is encircled by hills and is sprinkled with lotus during monsoon and winter months. A visit to this lake is one of the most popular excursions from Bundi and is easily accessible through city’s local transport. Placed amidst a serene natural setting of mountains, the lake was commissioned by Jaita Meena. The surroundings of the lake are extremely soothing and peaceful. There is a fountain too near the lake, which looks extremely enchanting at night. The lake is also quite popular as a picnic spot amongst locals as well as tourists.

Dhabhai Kund:  Dhabhai Kund is located to the south of Rani-ki-Baori and is one of the numerous tanks seen in Bundi. Dhabhia Kund is the name given to a step well; which was constructed in the olden days to provide water to the drought prone regions of Bundi. It is fascinating in its geometric construction and has steps that lead to the main tank itself. Despite its dreadful state, it is worth a visit. A couple of matching step wells outside the Choughan gate is known as the Nagar Sagar. Such tanks are very commonly found in Bundi. They are worth visiting owing to their magnificent style of construction and utility purpose.

Rani ki Baori:  Raniji ki Baori is a very beautiful and architectural fabulous stepwell situated in Bundi town in Rajasthan. The story behind the Rani ki Baori was that in late 16th centuary king Rao Marry to Rani Nathavati as his previous wife fail to give him a baby.

Rani Nathavati did give birth to a son but invoked the jealousy of the queen. So she gave child to the elder queen and devoted to serving her subjects. She undertook the project of building a step well.  Rani ki Baori was 46 m deep and splendid work like beautiful carving. It was completed in 1699. Its high arched gate and multistoried structure with places of worship on each floor make it very different architecture. Rani-ki Baoli is thus Stepwell made by the Queen or Queen’s well.

Step Wells:  Bundi is especially known for its step wells and they are the best tourist places in Bundi. These step wells are very ancient and beautiful step wells that can be seen here and among them one can see the major ones such Janana Sagar and Ganga Sagar and there are more than 50 step wells are there in the city.

Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhattri:  The Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhattri or the "84-Pillared Cenotaph" is a chhatri built by Maharaja of Bundi, Rao Raja Anirudh, in the year 1683 as a memorial of his adoptive brother, Deva. The memorial is also known as "Music Maharani’s Chatri. The cenotaph is having nice carvings on it and it is having a huge Shiva Lingam on it which is decorated by the roof top known as Chhattri and surrounded by 84 pillars.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary:  Bundi tourist location has many incredible tourist places like Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary and other places to visit in Bundi. Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is also one of the famous places in Bundi to visit for holidays with your family or friends. Bundi weather and temperature in Bundi both offers good and perfect cozy environment to travellers to travel best places to visit in Bundi in the least amount of time. This helps tourist explore most of the places to visit near Bundi and around in less time as compared to other climatic conditions. Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary tourist place offers really some nice landscapes capturing live moments like Animals in The Forest, Water in The Mountains, and Fun in the Sun.

Shopping in Bundi:  Bundi is one of the best places to buy goods like miniature paintings and exquisite cotton carpets. Tourists can also purchase some beautiful collection of Kota Sarees from Bundi town.

Cotton carpet with unique paintings is a major shopping item of the Bundi town and is available in nearly all the shops in the main bazar of Bundi. Some of the other shopping items of Bundi are wood carved items, metal wares, and hand painted items, silver jewelry and murals. The Bundi city, famous for its unique paintings, has many shops that date back to the 17th century.

Famous Shopping Places - Main Bazar – Bundi is widely known for cotton carpets, designed beautifully. The main bazar of Bundi town is filled with many shops which sells uniquely designed cotton carpets. Some of the shops even date back to the 17th century. Wooden toys and stone statue art are also sold here. Women may purchase Kota Sarees and lac bangles from Main bazaar.

The Sadar Bazar – The Sadar Bazar is another important market area of the Bundi town. You can find some Shopping Malls and local shops in this market. Cotton carpet is also one of the selling items in the Sadar Bazar.

Chaumaukh Bazaar– Jewelleries and Cotton carpets are common items found in the Chaumaukh Bazaar.

Kalji Teej festival:  Kalji Teej festival has a number of unique features. It is almost a month long event beginning with the monsoon season of July and ending in August. Bundi’s Kalji Teej is different from other parts of Rajasthan as the other places celebrate it on the third day of the month of Shravana. On the contrary, Bundi celebrates it on the third day of Bhadra.

Kajli Teej festival of Bundi also includes a number of other traditions and practices. The huge procession of goddess Teej is an integral part of the festival. This procession travels through various parts of Bundi. It travels through the main bazaars and ultimately stops at Azad Park. It is a great experience for tourists to witness this procession as it includes performing artists, elephants, camels and performing bands. A large number of people also take part in the procession. Their enthusiasm for the festival is clearly reflected from their joyous mood. They deck themselves in colorful attires.

The festival of Kajli Teej also holds great significance for the married couples. According to the belief, the festival strengthens the ties between the married couples. The whole of Bundi boasts a different look altogether during this event. Variety of foods, entertainment options for kids along with a number of cultural programs provide a great time to the people of Bundi as well as tourists visiting the place during that time. The cultural programs are very popular among visitors as they reflect the rich culture of the place. These cultural programs are mainly organized during the evening. These programs feature performances by local artists. These artists are mostly from the Hadoti region. Though the main function is for 2 days but the festival continues till Janmashtami.

How to Reach: Bundi Location- Bundi is situated at 35 km from Kota and 210 km from Jaipur. It is located at an average elevation of 268 meters (879 feet) in the south-east of Rajasthan.

By Air-The nearest airport to Bundi is Jaipur Airport at a distance of 210 km.



By Train-Bundi railway station is located about 2 km south of old city. Bundi is well connected to other major cities.


By Road-Bundi has well road connection between other major cities of Rajasthan and other states. Kota (41 km) , Bhilwara (137 km), Tonk (116 km) are some nearest cities of Bundi.

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