The Bundi Festival is one of Rajasthan’s most vibrant and culturally rich celebrations, held annually in the picturesque town of Bundi. Organized by the Rajasthan State Tourism Department, this festival is a visual delight that brings to life the heritage, traditions, and local customs of the region. Usually celebrated in November, the Bundi Festival attracts tourists from across India and abroad who are eager to witness the grandeur of Rajasthan's folk culture.
Set against the backdrop of majestic palaces, ancient forts, and serene lakes, the Bundi Festival offers a perfect blend of history and festivity. Highlights of the festival include folk music and dance performances, traditional sports, art exhibitions, turban-tying competitions, camel races, and a grand cultural procession that showcases the royal legacy of Bundi.
What makes the Bundi Festival truly special is its authenticity. Unlike commercialized events, it offers an unfiltered experience of rural Rajasthan, allowing visitors to interact with local artisans, enjoy traditional Rajasthani cuisine, and explore the town’s rich architecture and history.
If you’re planning a cultural trip to Rajasthan, the Bundi Festival should be on your travel calendar. It’s more than just a celebration—it’s a gateway into the soul of Rajasthan
Date & Venue of Bundi Utsav Rajasthan 2025
The Bundi Utsav 2025 is scheduled to take place from November 18 to 20, 2025, in the historic town of Bundi, Rajasthan. This vibrant festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region, featuring traditional music, dance performances, and local crafts. The festivities are set against the backdrop of Bundi's architectural marvels, including the Garh Palace, which serves as a focal point for many events. Visitors can immerse themselves in the authentic Rajasthani experience, enjoying activities such as the Shobha Yatra, cultural exhibitions, and the lighting of lamps along the Chambal River.
History of Bundi Utsav Rajasthan
The ancient Bundi was known to be the native place of the Parihar Meena tribe of Rajasthan and was named after Raja Bunda Singh Meena. 'Bunda-Ka-Nal' which means 'narrow ways' was the ancient name of this town. Later Bundi was captured by Britishers till India's independence. The festival in question celebrates this rich historical and cultural diversity that the place has witnessed over the decades. Besides the most happening Bundi Utsav, the town is known for its architectural excellence too. The town is home to the finest architectural specimens that comprise palaces, stepped wells (Baoli), and temples. Bundi is also known as Rajasthan's Choti Kashi for its numerous Hindu temples. Some of the most famous temples of the town are Neelkanth Mahadev Bundi, Hanumanji Temple, and Radha Krishna Temple.
The world-famous Taragarh Fort is also located in Bundi. As an ode to its aesthetical and architectural excellence, famous writer Rudyard Kipling wrote, “The Taragarh Fort must have been built by angels, not human beings.” While the fort is a masterpiece in its very own right, the town of Bundi is also quite popular, courtesy its historical relevance. It finds its references in many ancient and mythological texts for being an auspicious and pious place.
The 3-day Bundi Festival is organized with the prime motive of boosting tourism in the town and also showcasing the rich cultural heritage of this place. Exhibition of native handicrafts, moustache competitions, folk music, turban binding competition, and dance performances, are the major highlights of the festival that are enjoyed by young and old alike.
Major Attractions of Bundi Festival Rajasthan
1. Cultural Procession
The festival opens with a grand procession through the streets of Bundi, featuring traditional music, folk dancers, decorated elephants, camels, and local artisans showcasing their craft.
2. Folk Music and Dance Performances
Enjoy captivating performances like Ghoomar, Kalbelia, and other Rajasthani folk dances, accompanied by soulful music from local instruments like the dholak and sarangi.
3. Crafts and Handicraft Fair
A vibrant exhibition of local crafts, including miniature paintings, pottery, wooden toys, and textiles, offers visitors a chance to take home authentic Rajasthani souvenirs.
4. Traditional Sports and Competitions
Events like turban tying, tug-of-war, kabaddi matches, and camel races bring a fun, competitive spirit to the festival.
5. Fireworks Display
The festival nights end with dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky, adding to the festive ambiance of Bundi.
6. Rural and Cultural Exhibitions
These exhibitions provide insights into the rural lifestyle, agricultural practices, and tribal traditions of Rajasthan.
7. Heritage Walks and Guided Tours
Special guided tours take visitors through Bundi’s architectural marvels such as Taragarh Fort, Bundi Palace, and stepwells like Raniji ki Baori.
8. Local Cuisine Stalls
Food lovers can indulge in authentic Rajasthani delicacies like dal bati churma, gatte ki sabzi, and malpua at the food stalls.
How to Reach Bundi Festival Rajasthan
Away from the limelight, Bundi in Rajasthan has some unique, interesting and mesmerising destinations to explore. Some of them are Taragarh Fort, Moti Mahal, Badal Mahal, Nawal Sagar Lake, and ancient step wells. There is regular and fairly frequent rail and flight connectivity along with a well-developed road network that lets you arrive smoothly in town from any part of the country.
Bundi town, where this festival is celebrated, is nearly 490, 960, 1,500 and 1,700 km away from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. You can reach here by multiple economical travel routes and modes and below mentioned are some best travel options that you must consider.
By Air.
Jaipur Airport is the nearest airport to the city of Bundi situated at a distance of 200km. Travelling by air to Rajasthan is a faster and much more comfortable option that you can opt for in case of time constraint.
By Train.
Bundi Railway station is the nearest train station to reach the town. The station is well connected to other metro cities and receives regular and frequent trains from all parts of India. From the train station, one is required to cover a distance of 3km via locally available transport such as auto, taxi or a bus.
Note: Train journeys are economical and comfortable hence you may consider travelling by train.
By Road.
You can arrive here via inter and intra tourist buses. If you are fond of road journeys then a road trip to Bundi, Rajasthan will give you the opportunity to take breaks at the roadside villages, farms, and Dhabas, and explore them too.
One-way bus fare to Bundi from Delhi starts from Rs.400, from Jaipur Rs.250, from Kota Rs.50, from Ajmer Rs.180, from Jodhpur Rs. 270, and from Indore Rs.350. If you are driving to the town in your personal vehicle then you can consider taking National and State highways.
- From Delhi, you have to cover a stretch of 490km via NH 48 and 52
- From Jaipur 218 km via Jaipur-Kota road
- From Kota 40km via NH 52
- From Ajmer 175km via Ajmer-Kota road
- From Jodhpur 380km via Beawar-Pindwara road
- From Indore 350km via SH 27 and NH 52
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
Conclusion
Bundi Utsav is a celebration that beautifully captures the essence of Rajasthan’s rich culture and traditions. With its lively music, vibrant dance performances, colourful processions, and traditional art, the festival offers visitors a chance to experience the true spirit of Rajasthan. The historic town of Bundi provides the perfect backdrop, adding charm to the event. Whether it’s enjoying the local cuisine, exploring handicrafts, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, Bundi Utsav is a must-visit for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of Rajasthan in a joyous and memorable way.
With us, nothing is far!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bundi Festival 2025
Q1: In which state is Bundi Festival celebrated?
A1: Bundi Festival is celebrated in the state of Rajasthan, India.
Q2: What is Bundi famous for?
A2: Bundi is famous for its historical forts, stepwells (baoris), palaces, blue-painted houses, and its vibrant Bundi Festival, which showcases traditional Rajasthani culture.
Q3: Which is the biggest festival of Rajasthan?
A3: The Pushkar Fair is considered the biggest festival of Rajasthan, attracting thousands of visitors for its camel fair, cultural performances, and religious activities.
Q4: What is the biggest festival of Rajasthan?
A4: The biggest festival of Rajasthan is the Pushkar Fair, celebrated annually in the town of Pushkar with great enthusiasm.
Q5: What is the two-day festival of Rajasthan?
A5: The Bundi Festival is a notable two-day cultural festival of Rajasthan that celebrates the state’s folk traditions, art, and heritage.
