Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri, Bundi - Timings, History, Architecture, Best Time to Visit

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 depictions of elephants, horses, and various animals, alongside mythological scenes such as Shiva and Parvati, Radha and Krishna, the Varaha avatar of Vishnu, the emergence of Brahma from the navel, Dhola-Maru, Gajalakshmi, and the Samudra Manthan. These carvings are executed with remarkable precision, captivating the attention of visitors.

Within the chhatri, the lower level houses a Shiv lingam, while the upper level features a prominent central chhatri topped with a dome, supported by 16 pillars. Surrounding this central structure are four smaller chhatris positioned at each corner. The chhatri is lavishly adorned with engravings that illustrate elephants, deer, fish, apsaras, and dancers in various dynamic poses.

Timings: 9.30 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Rs. 50 for Single & RS. 75 for Composite (Includes entry to Sukh Mahal & Raniji ki Baori)