Located
some 200 km from Jaipur and 30 km from Kota, this hamlet almost has a dreamy
touch to it. Lying in a beautiful narrow valley, with a fort on a hill overlooking
the city, Bundi’s charm is in its simplicity. Bundi was the capital of the
Hadoti kingdom of Hada Chauhan Rajputs’ clan, legendary Prithviraj Chauhan
being one of them. Just like Jodhpur, Bundi’s constructions also have a
noticeable blue colour to them – to keep houses cool during summer. The place
saw a period of spectacular prosperity in the 19th century under the
rule of Zalim Singh and then decline post his death. The place has, however, preserved the art and culture from the glorious past, even though with a clear
struggle, which is clearly evident as you walk through the lanes.
Taragarh
Fort: Built in 1345,
atop a steep hill overlooking the city, it almost has a guardian-like presence
over Bundi. With time having stolen its charm and grandeur, Taragarh is still a
worthy shadow of its past. It stands in a sombre contrast to the land below –
fields, rivers and lakes, surrounded by fruit orchards, flanked by Aravallis
and looking postcard perfect. Apart from the tanks built with now-lost
technique so they never dry up, the fort is also a tribute to Rajputana architecture with its curved roofs, temple columns, and elephant and lotus
motifs.
Palace: Rudyard Kipling called this palace ‘such a palace as
men build for themselves in uneasy dreams – the work of goblins rather than of
men.’ Located on the downhills of Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace’s mansions are a
treat to watch with their murals and frescos. The palace is actually a
collection of many palaces inside one, built over three centuries. The Ummed
Mahal in the eastern part is also famously called Chitrashala (picture
gallery) and it boasts of some of the best paintings from the late 16th
century depicting love stories, court proceedings, stories from God Krishna’s life events, Ramayana and
Mahabharata, and more.
Raniji
ki Baori: If Bundi is known as the city of stepwells with over
50 stepwells, Raniji ki Baori, as the name suggests, is truly the queen among all
the baoris. Sitting pretty in the middle of the city, it is also counted among
the best stepwells in Asia. Built by queen Nathavati in 1699, wife of famous
king of Bundi, Anirudh Singh, the stepwell is a three-storied construction with a grand
high-arched entry gate, intricate carvings, and marble elephants. If the look
from the top amazed you, the view after a 100-step odd decent will make you
fall in love.
At
walking distance from Raniji Ki Baori is Nagar Sagar kund, twin ornate
stepwells. Hidden inside the densely crowded market, these 2 Baories are
another visual spectacle noted for their symmetry.
Chaurasi (84) khambon ki chhatri: Many of the royal
children were raised by nannies and as a result, the to-be kings and queens had
great respect for those women and treated their children like their own
brothers and sisters. This 84-pillared cenotaph is a temple-type structure with
a marble Shiva lingam in the middle, and was built by the king, Anirudh Singh,
to honour his foster brother, Deva. The double-storied cenotaph is decorated
with carvings of animals and nymphs. The legend is that no one can count the
pillars correctly unless the locals share the trick to do so.
Sukh
Mahal and Lake Jait Sagar: Located close to the
Taragarh Fort, near the north gate of the city, this picturesque lake and
cream-coloured palace on its bank, is said to have played the muse for none
other than Noble prize-winning Kipling. He is believed to have authored a part
of his famous novel, Kim, while staying here. Built on a lake and surrounded by
mountains on three sides, the palace was the royalty’s escape from harsh
summer. The lake is covered with pretty naturally grown lotus flowers that
bloom during winter and monsoon.
Tickets are required for Raniji ki Baori, 84 khambon ki chhatri and Sukh Mahal. Better to purchase composite ticket with validity of 24 hours covering all 3 spots. The
Bundi festival, held in the month of Kartik (November) is a wonderful stage to
showcase Bundi’s traditional art, culture and craftsmanship. Make your plans accordingly.
Tour
operators generally advise people about 1- or 2-days itinerary for Bundi.
However, if you are game to explore the unexplored ones, there are so many nearby
attractions that one can easily spend 3-4 days in Bundi. Itinerary as follows –
Day 2: Better to hire a local Taxi –
even if you are 100 km. around this.
· Bhimlat Mahadev and Garadiya Mahadev.
Day 3:
· Chaurasi (84) Khambon ki Chhatri
· Garh Palace, Badal Mahal (Hiring a local Auto will be better to reach till the gate)
· Local markets and Shopping.
Day 4: Start by 9AM from Bundi to Sawai Madhopur –
· Kshaar Bagh – Resting place of erstwhile royal family.
·
Chauth Mata Temple – Hill top temple located near to Ban Ganga
· Arrival at Sawai Madhopur by evening.
Keep
exploring Folks…