Bundi is a town located in the Hadoti region in the state of Rajasthan. It is a captivating town where you will be finding a temple at just about every turn. Apart from temples; the bazaars, lakes and the culture of the Royal Rajasthan will fascinate you. It is perhaps due to these qualities, that this town doesn’t fail to attract a great number of tourists on an annual basis. So, if you are wondering to plan a trip to someplace unforgettable then you cannot hope to miss out on Bundi.
History of Bundi
In ancient times, the regions around Bundi were mainly inhabited by local tribal people. Out of these tribes, the Parihaar Meena was considered the most prominent. It is said that the origin of this tribe is somehow related to the Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Talking about history, the town of Bundi was also previously called as ‘Bunda-Ka-Nal’. The word Nal means ‘narrow ways’. This is so because Bundi is located in a narrow valley right within the Aravalli range.
Major Attractions in and Around Bundi
1. Bundi Palace
The famous author Rudyard Kipling described the Bundi Palace as ‘the work of Goblins’ rather than of men. And he wasn’t wrong in making this statement. This is because the Bundi Palace has been so skillfully crafted, that anyone would refuse to believe that such a place could be constructed by humans. Building such a phenomenal piece of architecture gives us a glimpse of the calibre of our predecessors.
2. Rani Ji Ki Baori
The Raniji ki Baori also known as Queen’s Stepwell is a 46 m deep stepwell and a great place for enjoying amazing moments of peace with your loved ones. Visiting this place would be a great opportunity for any history buff to learn various new things. As per our history texts, this place was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavati Ji.
3. Sukh Mahal
This palace was built during the reign of Umeed Singh. Interestingly, this palace hosted the popular writer Rudyard Kipling. It is believed that it was by living here that he was inspired to write his novel Kim.
4. Taragarh Fort
This fort was constructed in 1113 AD under the reign of King King Ajaypal Chauhan on a steep hillside. There are three major gateways to the fort namely Lakshmi Pol, Phuta Darwaza, and Gagudi ki Phatak. The fort is a great place for clicking some unforgettable pics with your loved ones.
5. Lake Jait Sagar
Lake Jait Sagar is a 1.5 km long water body surrounded by some of the most picturesque views. A large number of migratory birds spanning the skies can be seen here. If you are planning an eventful evening with your loved ones, then this lake is your right choice.
Things to Do in Bundi
- Explore the Old City
- Discover Bundi’s Stepwells
- Discover Bundi’s Stepwells
- Experience the Bundi Utsav
- Hike to Taragarh Fort
- Take a Boat Ride on Jait Sagar Lake
- Witness the Famous Bundi Miniature Paintings
- Try Local Rajasthani Cuisine
- Explore Nearby Villages
- Photography and Sketching
- Visit Garh Palace for More Frescoes
Best Time to Visit Bundi
The ideal time to visit Bundi is:
- October to March – Pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing.
- July to September – Monsoons make Bundi lush and green, enhancing its beauty.
- Avoid May-June – Extremely hot, with temperatures exceeding 40°C.
How to Reach Bundi
Bundi is a culturally vibrant town situated in Rajasthan. For those, who love to explore the history and Indian culture, this town won’t let you down. Bundi is situated at a distance of 484, 1,715, 961, 1,578 km from Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Let’s see how you can reach Bundi by the following means of transportation.
By Air
The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport (JAI). It is located at a distance of 200-210 km from the town. It is the primary airport that serves Jaipur and the nearby areas. Interestingly, the Jaipur International Airport was declared as the best airport in the world in the category of handling 2 to 5 million passengers during 2015 and 2016.
List of flights available from different Indian cities to Jaipur
By Road
Depending upon your location you can also choose to travel to Bundi by road. You can choose to travel by your own vehicle, cab or a bus. Here is the route to reach Bundi from various places.
From Kanpur, the bus fares start from Rs.500. From Lucknow, the bus fares are starting from Rs.500. From Delhi, the bus fares are starting from Rs.500 to Rs.600
- Delhi - 485 km via NH48 or NH52
- Gwalior - 374 km via NH27, NH23 or NH52
- Ajmer - 175 km via Ajmer Kota Road
- Ahmedabad - 581 km via NH48 or NH758
- Indore - 358 km via NH52
- Kanpur - 582 km via NH27 or NH19
- Lucknow - 747 km via NH27 or Agra-Lucknow Expressway
By Train
You will need to deboard at the Bundi Railway Station. This station falls under the Kota railway division of West Railway Zone of the Indian Railways and has two platforms. The Kota Airport is located at a distance of 35 km from this station. Here is how you can reach Bundi via train from different Indian cities.
- Delhi - Board Mewar Express from Hazrat Nizammudin and deboard at the Bundi station
- Agra - Board Haldighati Pass from Agra Fort and deboard at the Bundi station
- Lucknow - Board Humsafar Express from Lucknow NR and deboard at the Bundi station
- Varanasi - Board Humsafar Express from Varanasi Junction and deboard at the Bundi station
After you deboard at the station, you would need to get a taxi or a bus to reach your respective destination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bundi
Q: What are the popular tourist places to visit in Bundi?
A: Some of the popular tourist places to visit in Bundi include:
- Taragarh Fort
- Bundi Palace
- Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri
- Sukh Mahal, Nawal Sagar
- Jait Sagar
- Bundi Udhai Vilas Palace
- Shikar Burj
Q: Where is Bundi located?
A: Bundi is a city located in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated about 36km from Kota and 213km from Jaipur.
Q: Are there any special festivals or events in Bundi?
A: Yes, Bundi Utsav is one of the major events that takes place in Bundi, which showcases the rich culture and heritage of the city.
Q: How many days are needed to explore Bundi?
A: 2-3 days are enough to explore Bundi at a relaxed pace.
Q: Is Bundi crowded with tourists?
A: No, Bundi is less crowded than Jaipur or Udaipur, making it a perfect destination for a peaceful getaway.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
