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Get ready to travel into the land of the royals. Once inhabited by numerous local tribes, Bundi lies in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan. It is a princely state located towards the western side of the largest state of India in terms of area. The town was once known as Bunda-ka-Nal, the literal translation of Nal being ‘narrow ways’. The name is derived from a Meena tribe that used to exist in the area which went by the name Bunda Meena. The princely state was later established by Rao Deva Hada, who overtook Bundi from Jaita Meena in the year 1342. As one can expect from the area, Bundi is home to several palaces, forts, and baolis or water steps in addition to temples. However, there are several other things to do in Bundi, which we will know more about.
Apart from historical importance, Bundi is also blessed with natural beauty. There are several rivers, lakes, and waterfalls that lend to the grandeur of the princely city. A variety of flora and fauna are also to be seen in the city. The beautiful city is surrounded by Aravali ranges on three sides and a wall encircles the city which has four gateways for passage.
Many legendary tales are associated with the city of Bundi and it has been the fighting ground for many battles. Several forts that are a testament to the valor of the warriors who once fought to guard them. Apart from the forts, there are also water bodies that are nothing short of mesmerizing. The old-world charm of the city certainly takes you back to the old times when the royal families wandered its streets. Here are some of the attractions that you must visit during your stay at Bundi.
This is the single biggest attraction for tourists and is an impeccable structure which has been a reason for pride for the city. The fort was built during the same year in which the state of Bundi was founded. The fort offers a panoramic view of the entire city. The fort, however, which was once described by Rudyard Kipling as ‘more the work of Goblins than of men’ is now in ruins. However, one can still imagine the magnificence of the fort that once was just by noticing the features.
From the heights of the Moti Mahal, one can see the entire city as well as the pristine Nagal Sagar Lake. The fort which was built by Maharao Raja Bhao Singh Ji in 1645 was taken over first by Rao Raja Chatrasal and then by Rao Raja Umed Singh. Ajit Singh later captured the fort who built a garden and a Shiv Temple in the premises. It is said that 80 pounds of gold were used when the king ordered the construction of the fort.
Forming an essential part of the view from the Taragarh Fort, this is a man-made lake. The reflection of the entire city is visible in the lake as it is situated right in the center of the city. The tourists definitely should not miss this attraction during their visit to the city of Bundi.
If you’re in this lovely town, you should visit the different forts and baolis located in different parts of the city. However, if you wish to go beyond just sightseeing, there are several things to be done. This also depends on the time of the year in which you’re visiting Bundi. The primary among activities at Bundi is being a part of the Bundi Utsav.
A culmination of cultures, traditions and different art forms, Bundi Utsav gets everyone together for a magnificent celebration in the months of November-December every year. Traditional folk music and folk dance are very important parts of this festival. Besides, locals also get to showcase their skills and sell handicrafts on stalls. Other activities during the festival include turban-binding competition, mustache competition, etc.
Even after the Bundi Utsav, there are ample opportunities for one to go out and shop from the local markets. There are cloth carpets, miniature paintings, artifacts and numerous other kinds of handicrafts which are items of interest among tourists. The detailing in all the products, especially the carpets, makes the products stand out against those of any other place in the state.
Also, one may choose to spend time with the locals, experiencing local cuisine, cultures, and understanding the way of life. Entrepreneurship is the law of the land, and you will find very few people employed for others in Bundi. Beware of the monkeys while you’re taking a stroll in the market, especially if you’re carrying eatables.
Bundi is quite easy to reach owing to the accessibility to the nearby cities. The capital city of Jaipur is only a few hours away and one can get a train or flight to the Pink City from different cities of India and abroad. Apart from Jaipur, the city of Kota which is less than an hour drive away is also a major connecting city of Bundi with other cities of India.
Bundi by Air: At a distance of 218 km and reachable in just under 4 hours is Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a major international airport and connects to many important cities in the world and most of the cities in India.
Bundi by Rail: Bundi has a railway station of its own. However, it is a small railway station and there are only 2 platforms, thus one cannot expect a lot of traffic on this route. The nearest busy railway station is that in Kota, which connects with many important cities of the country. It is located at a distance of 38 km only and is reachable in an hour from Bundi.
Bundi by Road: Much like the other roads of Rajasthan, the journey to Bundi is comfortable for the most part by road. The city is well-connected and one can find intercity and interstate buses from Bundi affiliated to Rajasthan tourism as well as private companies.
The magical land of Rajasthan has many beautiful places to see apart from the royal city of Bundi. Almost every city in this state has a historical charm which one must experience during a trip to Rajasthan. Here are a few cities which can be visited over the weekend from Bundi.
The most important place to visit for a couple of days when you’re in Bundi is Jaipur. Reachable in just 4 hours from Bundi, Jaipur is everything you’d expect as far as grandeur is concerned. There are magnificent forts like Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, and Jaigarh Fort. There are markets where you can purchase local products at reasonable prices.
A 5-hour drive from Bundi will take you to the lake city Udaipur. There are several lakes which lend to the serenity of the city, and yet there are grand palaces and extremely luxurious hotels and resorts that add to your experience of the city. Pichola Lake, which is the center of attraction at Udaipur should be the main part of your Udaipur itinerary.
Located at a distance of just over 150 km from Bundi and reachable in about 3 hours is the fort city of Chittorgarh. Truly said to be the city of pride and honor, there have been many battles that have been fought in the city. However, the Siege of Chittorgarh in 1567-1568 by the Mughal Empire against the kingdom of Mewar remains the most notable. One must visit the city for the colossal Chittorgarh Fort, which spreads over an area of 700 acres.
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A different experience awaits when one plans to visit Ranthambore National Park. Reachable in about 3 hours from Bundi, the national park is rich in flora and fauna and presents visitors with an opportunity to witness the majestic Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat. One must plan to visit Ranthambore National Park and book a safari to experience the jungle.
There are more than just a few reasons to visit the lovely city of Bundi. It is beautiful, rich in culture and boasts of great history. However, one must take into consideration the weather during which one is planning to visit the city. Summers can often be unforgiving, like other parts of Rajasthan. Visit Bundi during the winters and surrender yourself to all that the city has to offer to you. Every waking minute in this city is a different experience altogether, and if ever there is a city which teaches more than books can, it is Bundi.
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April 15, 2024 
