Bundi

Bundi is a picturesque little town, well off the beaten tourist track, 142 km to the south-east of Ajmer and only 39 km west of Kota. The town is beautifully sited in a narrow valley, brooded over by the gloomy Taragarh Fort. The road into Bundi comes in along the other side of the valley so you have a good view over the town and across to the fort as you arrive. A word of warning — Bundi is almost too unspoilt. So few tourist pass through that most things are kept under lock and key. If you want to see the famous palace murals you must either make enquiries beforehand to ensure the keys are there or else be prepared to 'persuade' the chowkidar to let you into whatever is open.

ORIENTATION

The bus station is at the Kota, eastern end of town. Since accommodation in Bundi is limited you can best see Bundi by stopping, looking around and then continuing on rather than planning to stay overnight. Simply walk into the town and you'll see the Taragarh Fort and palace up the hill on your right. The town is surrounded by a walled fortification with four gateways.

Top view - Bundi City

 

WHAT TO SEE

Taragarh Fort

Taragarh Fort: The Star Fort was built in 1372 and is reached by a steep road up the hillside to its enormous gateway topped by rampant elephants. Inside the palace is the Chitrashala or picture gallery with the walls covered in murals of hunting, historical and religious scenes painted in the Bundi style. There's a fine view over Bundi from the fort ramparts. Directly below are the Ratan Daulat or horse stables.

Naval Sagar: Also visible from the fort is the square artificial lake of Naval Sagar. In the centre is a temple to Varuna, the Aryan God of Water.

Other Places: Bundi's other attractions are all out of town and difficult to reach without transport. The modern palace is at Phool Sagar with its beautiful articial tank and gardens several km out of town on the Ajmer side. Shikar Burj is a small hunting lodge and picnic spot near Bundi. Cenotaphs of Bundi's rulers are near here at Khshar Bagh. Another small palace, the Sukh Niwas, is located at the Jait Sagar tank.