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Bundi Travel Guide

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Bundi is the undiscovered splendour, 36 Kms from Kota ruled by the Hada Chauhans. First destination is HADOTI. Set in a narrow inclining gorge. The palaces and forts have fairy tale quality about them. Isolated and independent, this picturesque location has much to offer. Rajput architecture shines and in the intricately carved brackets, pillars etc. Interesting places are Diwan-e- aam, Hati Pol, and Naubat Khana.

The small sleepy town of Bundi, a rather unexplored city with rich historical wealth, is surrounded by the Aravali hills on three sides and is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways. Impressive medieval forts, palaces and temples with beautiful stone idols and chhatris(Cenotaphs) with carved pillars along with a scenic lake in the heart of the town that add to its charm


Places to see :

Forts & Palaces in Bundi :

Taragarh Fort
It was built in 1345 and is great ramble around at leisure. This is rather a ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation.
The view over the town and surrounding countryside from the top are magical, especially at sun set. Inside the ramparts are huge reservoirs carved out of solid rock, and the Bhim Burj, the largest of the battle- fields, on which there is mounted a famous cannon. Taragarh is reached by steep road leading up the hillside to its enormous gateway. Take a path up behind the chitra Shala, go east along the inside of the ramparts then left up the steep stone ramp just before the Dudha Mahal, a small disused building 200m from the palace.

Sukh Niwas Palaces
Sukh Niwas Palaces evokes memories of RUDYARD KIPLING who not only stayed here but found inspiration for his famous work KIM.

Sar BaghSAR BAGH has 66 royal cenotaphs. Step wells (Bawari) are another prominent highlights of Bundi, these served as water reservoirs in the months of summers, there were over 50 wells but many of them had to suffer the ravages of the time. The CHHATAR MAHAL is adorned with beautiful wall paintings of the famous Bundi School. And so are the ZANANA MAHAL (palace for the queens) and BADAL MAHAL.

Phool Sagar
The PHOOL SAGAR is an excellent and well-planned structure as also the decoration of this Rajput edifice, and the same beauty lies in the massive TARAGARH. This little town has yet retained a medieval atmosphere. Bundi is not exactly a tourist tramping ground but never the less, this adds on to its appeal with a curiosity to explore it. The look of the town has a Bluish hue same as that of Jodhpur. With no renovating desire, the art is in a crumbling state of disrepair. The original history claims that Bundi was once the capital of the great HADOTI KINGDOM. But then KOTA in 1624 was separated as an independent state and thus the journey of Bundi downfall started. A prominent author approached BUNDI, He came, He saw and He created RUDYARD KIPLING's inspiration took birth in the state of Bundi and so inspired was he by the enchanting set up that he captured its images and applied them to his works.


Exursion in Bundi :

KotaAn amazing, juxtaposition of majestic medieval age and modern industrialization, mainly the Hydro Electric Plant on the Chambal River and the Nuclear Power Plant has a few traces of its past still left. The fort overlooking the river Chambal is the foremost tourist attraction. It also houses the museum with a rich collection of art and artefacts and some elaborately painted chambers.

Earlier it was a part of Bundi state, but later it grew to be a bigger state. What retains the past glory are the untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and temples dating back over several centuries. These temples were conquered by the Hada chieftain Rao Deva. It was at the time of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir that Rao Ratan Singh gifted this territory to his son Madho Singh. The Kota state reflects in the form of a beautiful collection of Stone Idols (murties) in the Raj Mahal, embellished with gold stained glass work on the walls, the silver mirror work on ceilings and the marvelous wall paintings.

Jhalawar
The princely state of the Jhalas created in 1838 AD, after being separated from Kota by the British. It is best explored by foot within the city and a horse safari in the outskirts as Jhalawar boasts of rich natural wealth, with flora and fauna as active.
Since it is situated at the edge of the Malwa Plateau it has rocky but water laden verdant landscape unlike much of Rajasthan, with some exquisite pre-historic cave paintings, massive forts, thick woody forests, exotic wild life variety and a lush country side which has Red poppy fields, orange laden orchards making it look fascinating and colourful during winters.


Fair & Festival of Bundi :

Fairs and Festivals of Bundi reflect the vigour and lifestyle of its people.

Tejaji Fair (Dugar) Sept - Oct.)
This fair is dedicated to the folk deity Tejaji, large number of people gather here to take bamboo for their village Tejaji temple. This fair continues for five days.


Keshav Rai Patan Fair (Oct.- Nov)
The celebrations start on Kartik Poornima and continues for ten days. Large number of devotees gather overhere to take a holy dip in the river chambal and pray to God Keshav Rai Ji.

Kajli Teej (July - Aug)
The celebration of Kajli Teej in Bundi is different from the Teej festival celebrated elsewhere in the state. At other places Teej is celebrated on the third day of the month of Sravana but in Bundi it is celebrated on the third day of the month of Bhadra.

The festival starts with the procession of Teej in a decorated palanquin from picturesque Naval Sagar and passes through the market culminating at Azad Park.

Cultural programs are organized in the evening in which local artists and those from Hadoti region perform.

Though the Teej procession is carried out only on two days, celebrations continue up to the 8th day culminating on Janmashtami, birthday of Lord Krishna.


How to reach :

Air :
The nearest airport is Jaipur.

Train :
Attached from all major states and cities. The Railway Station is located about 2km south of old city. There are rail connections between Bundi and Agra, Chittorgarh and Kota and connections with other areas like Banaras, Firojpur, Baroda, Dehradun, Gwalior, Trivendrum, Chittor, Jaipur and Mathura.

Road :
There are Express buses heading for multiple destinations in Rajasthan like, Ajmer, Bijolia, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, and Udaipur.

Bundi Travel Guide, Reservation Form