About Bundi

Country: India | State: Rajasthan

Ideal Trip Duration: Not Available

Nearest City to Bundi: Jaipur (219 Kms), Udaipur (269 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Bundi: Not Available

Peak Season: Not Available

At a distance of 41 km from Kota, 167 km from Ajmer, 219 km from Jaipur, 269 km from Udaipur, 356 km from Indore, 379 km from Bhopal, 382 km from Gwalior, 410 km from Agra, and 466 km from Delhi, Bundi is a fascinating old town lies the district of Bundi, in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan. It is one of the prominent heritage sites near Delhi, and among the must-include places in Rajasthan tour packages.

The historic town of Bundi is situated in a gorge surrounded by Aravalli Hills like a small oasis. It serves as the administrative center of the Bundi district. Often called as the blue city of Eastern Rajasthan, it is one of the interesting Places to visit near Jaipur, particularly for those who appreciate architecture, as it is renowned for its intricate forts, palaces, and step wells. The town is also home to numerous temples, earning it the nickname 'Chhoti Kashi' or Little Varanasi. Bundi is enriched with abundant natural beauty, featuring a stunning array of rivers, lakes, and enchanting waterfalls that are worth visiting as part of Bundi tour packages. The scenic landscapes of Bundi have inspired many writers and artists, including Rudyard Kipling in his novel 'Kim,' Rabindranath Tagore in the poem 'False Fort' (Nakalgarh), and Satyajit Ray in his film 'Sonar Kella.'

In ancient times, the region surrounding Bundi was reportedly inhabited by various indigenous tribes. The town is believed to have been named after Bunda Meena, a chieftain of the Meena tribe from the 13th century. In 1342, Rao Deva Hada seized control of Bundi from Jaita Meena, establishing it as a princely state and renaming it Hadoti, the land of the esteemed Hada Rajputs. However, in 1624, Kota separated and became an independent state, marking the onset of Bundi's decline. Subsequently, it came under British rule following a treaty in 1818 and was incorporated into Rajasthan in 1948.

Bundi is renowned for its splendid palaces, impressive forts, step wells, temples, and chhatris adorned with intricately carved pillars. The palaces in Bundi are particularly distinguished by their unique 'Bundi-style' frescoes. This ancient town is fondly called as the 'city of step wells' as it is home to over 50 stepwells that are scattered throughout the city and its vicinity. Taragarh Fort, Moti Mahal, Sukh Mahal, Lake Jait Sagar, Lake Nawal Sagar, Lake Kanak Sagar, Nagar Sagar Kund, Bundi Palace, Raniji Ki Baori, Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary , Garh Palace, Sadar Bazaar, Chaurasi Khambon ki Chatri, Shikar Burj, Talwas Fort, Dhabhai Kund, and Bhimlat Waterfall are some of the top places to visit in Bundi.

Located approximately 210 km from Bundi, Jaipur International Airport serves as the nearest airport, offering extensive flight connections to nearly all major cities in India. Bundi Railway Station is well-linked to other cities in Rajasthan, as well as Banaras, Agra, and New Delhi. Additionally, Kota Railway Station, situated about 41 km from Bundi, acts as a significant rail junction with connections to numerous cities and towns across India. Bundi is well connected to all the major cities in Rajasthan by road. Regular buses ply between Bundi and neighbouring cities such as Ajmer, Jaipur, and Bikaner.

The residents of Bundi enthusiastically celebrate a variety of festivals and engage in local fairs. Among these, Bundi Utsav stands out as the most prominent. This annual cultural and tourism festival, held over three days in November or December, highlights the rich cultural heritage, traditional art forms, and historical importance of Bundi. The festival's cultural programs are particularly noted for providing a platform for emerging talents from across the country. Other festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Gangaur, Teej, Rakshabandhan, Ram Navami, and Krishna Janmashtami are also celebrated with great religious enthusiasm.

The weather in Bundi is pretty much same as the weather in the rest of Rajasthan. The best time to visit Bundi is from October to March, when the climate is remains cool and pleasant, making it ideal for sightseeing. The summers in this region are extremely hot and dry. The monsoons here make days extremely humid. However, the town truly comes to life in the monsoon, with a lively river and verdant hills that captivate all who visit.

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How to Reach Bundi

By Air

Nearest Airport: Jaipur - Jaipur International Airport (210 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Bundi Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Bundi Bus Station (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Bundi

#1 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 6 km from Bundi Railway Station, Taragarh Fort is a formidable hilltop fortress located in the town of Bundi, Rajasthan. Situated on a steep hill at a height of 1426 feet, it is one of the prominent hill forts of Rajasthan, and among the prime places to visit as part of Bundi tour packages.

One of the most impressive places to visit in Bundi, the construction of the Taragarh Fort was commissioned by Rao Deva Hada in 1298 AD and Rao Raja Bar Singh Hada built it in 1354 AD. Successive rulers added their rooms to the palace, over the next 200 years, making it into one of the largest palaces in Rajasthan. Known for its robust architecture and panoramic views of the town, it holds historical significance as the site of battles and political events. The fort was described by the famous author Rudyard Kipling as 'more the work of Goblins .....

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#2 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 5 km from Bundi Railway Station, Garh Palace is a historic palace located in the city of Bundi, Rajasthan. It is one of the largest palaces in India, and among the most visited tourist places in Bundi.

The Garh Palace is a collection of several palaces that were built by different rulers over the span of three centuries. Most of the palaces were built between 17th and 18th century CE. Maharao Balwant Singh started the construction of Garh Palace in Bundi in late 16th century which is a hilltop palace and it took around 200 years for the Palace to be completed.

Garh Palace is considered to be one of the finest examples of Rajputana style of architecture. The palace complex is known for its intricate carvings, stunning murals, and beautiful gardens. Some of the famous palaces here include Ratan Daulat, Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-i-Am), Chhatra Mahal, Phool Mahal, Badal Mahal, Chitrashala .....

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#3 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 38 km from Bundi, Bhimlat Waterfall is a serene waterfall situated in the Bundi district of Rajasthan. It is one of the stunning waterfalls in Rajasthan, and among the top places to visit near Bundi.

Bhimlat Waterfall is a stunning natural wonder situated on the border of the Bhilwad and Bundi districts in southern Rajasthan. Formed by the Mangali River, a tributary of the Mej River, this waterfall boasts a height of approximately 150 feet and spans an area of 6 kilometers. The sound of the cascading water can be heard from a considerable distance.

Local legends suggest that during the era of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas visited this location during their exile. It is believed that Bhima struck the ground with his foot to provide water for their thirst, resulting in a stream that continues to flow today, thus giving the site its name-Bhimlat. However, historical evidence indicates that both Bhimlat Waterfall .....

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#4 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 6 km from Bundi Railway Station, Nawal Sagar Lake is an artificial lake or reservoir situated in the heart of Bundi city in the state of Rajasthan in India. It is one of the most prominent tourist places in Bundi.

Nawal Sagar Lake is rectangular shaped lake constructed by Maharaja Ummed Singh. Measuring 229 feet wide by 983 feet long, the lake was created for providing water to the various step wells in Bundi to deal with water scarcity. This lake is one of four lakes in Bundi city, alongside Jait Sagar Lake, Phool Sagar Lake, and Kanak Sagar Lake.

The lake is encircled by imposing walls and features two gateways that provide access. A remarkable aspect of Nawal Sagar is the temple dedicated to Lord Varuna, the Hindu deity of water. This shrine is partially submerged in the lake and can only be reached by boat. The chhatri built in the centre of this lake is also a beautiful example of craftsmanship. Surrounding the temple is a floating circular platform, which .....

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#5 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 5 km from Bundi Railway Station, Sukh Mahal is a small palace situated in Bundi. It is one of the famous places to visit as part of Bundi tour, especially for nature lovers.

Sukh Mahal was constructed as a summer retreat for former rulers by Umed Singh. The intention behind the establishment of this palace was to provide the princes of that era with the opportunity to engage in their questionable activities without restraint. Today, it is quite famous for being the place where the renowned English novelist Rudyard Kipling wrote his novel'Kim'. Many credit the palace as a having played muse to the renowned novel. In fact, even a part of the movie based on the novel was even shot here.

Sukh Mahal is a two-story palace designed in the Rajput architectural style during the 17th to 18th centuries AD. The ground floor features a hall, while the upper level contains two dome-shaped rooms. The primary highlight .....

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#6 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 5 km from Bundi Railway Station, Government Museum is a museum located on the shores of Jait Sagar in Bundi. It is one of the prominent places to visit in Bundi.

The Government Museum of Bundi is situated within the historic Sukh Mahal complex and was inaugurated in 2016. The museum showcases a variety of artifacts, including stone sculptures from the Hadoti region, miniatures from the Kota and Bundi schools, and an array of weaponry. Among the notable sculptures are representations of ascetic Parvati, Durga, a snake couple, Naravarah, Agni, Anal Vasu, and various depictions of social life.

In terms of paintings from the Kota and Bundi styles, prominent themes include Krishna lila, royal figures, Nayak and Nayika, as well as hunting scenes. The arms gallery features an extensive collection of stone tools, arrows, shields, swords, and various firearms, including daggers, spears, pistols, .....

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#7 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 5 km from Bundi Railway Station, Raniji ki Baori, or Queen's stepwell is a noted stepwell situated in Bundi town of Rajasthan state in India.It is one of the must-include places in Bundi heritage packages.

Raniji ki Baori was constructed in 1699 by Rani Nathavati Ji Solanki, the younger queen of Rao Raja Anirudh Singh of Bundi. It stands as the largest of over 50 stepwells in the town, which were established by the ruling elite to address water shortages during drought periods. This medieval architectural wonder exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship and served as a popular gathering place for the local community for both social and religious activities during its time.

The stepwell is an impressive three-storey structure, reaching a depth of approximately 46 meters. It represents the grandeur of Hindu Rajput architecture in Rajasthan. The ancient baori features exquisitely carved pillars and .....

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#8 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 9 km from Bundi Railway Station, Shikar Burj is an old historical building owned by the rulers of Bundi. Located near Sukh Mahal, it is one of the must-include places in Bundi packages.

Perched atop a hill, Shikar Burj is an exquisite monument that historically functioned as a hunting lodge for the Bundi royals. Constructed in the 17th century by Rao Raja Vishnu Singh, the structure showcases a harmonious blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles, featuring elaborately carved stone walls and jharokhas. This tower once served as a crucial vantage point for observing enemy movements. Following his abdication, Ummed Singh, the ruler of Bundi in the 18th century, took residence here.

The Shikar Burj offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the surrounding hills. The area is enhanced by an overgrown vegetable garden, Char Bagh, which includes a central well and an irrigation system, as well as a temple garden and a swimming pool, all contributing .....

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#9 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 3 km from Bundi Railway Station, the 84-Pillared Cenotaph or, Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri is a chhatri located in the Bundi town of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the must-include places in Bundi family packages.

Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri was erected in 1683 by Rao Raja Anirudh, the Maharaja of Bundi, as a tribute to his foster mother's son, Dhabhai Deva. Deva held a special place in Rao Raja Anirudh Singh's heart, and his untimely demise deeply affected the Maharaja. To immortalize Deva's memory, he constructed this chhatri featuring 84 pillars.

The architectural design of the 84 Pillared Chhatri is distinctive. This expansive double-storied cenotaph is built upon a raised platform and is characterized by its 84 pillars, known as chaurasi khambe. It is often remarked that it is impossible to count all 84 beams simultaneously. Stone slabs adorn all four sides, each intricately engraved with .....

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#10 of 12 Places to Visit in Bundi

At a distance of 30 km from Bundi, Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is a tiger reserve in Bundi district of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India, and among the must-include places in Bundi wildlife packages.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary is situated between the renowned Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. Covering an area of approximately 307 square kilometers, this sanctuary was established in 1982 and serves as a vital tiger corridor. It ranks as the 52nd tiger reserve in India and is the fourth in Rajasthan, following Ranthambore, Sariska, and Mukundra.

The sanctuary is contiguous with the buffer zone of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to the northeast and the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve to the south. The Mez River, a tributary of the Chambal, flows through the reserve. The landscape is predominantly rugged and hilly, characterized .....

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