We already said that Bundi is a must-see if you are going to travel to India, both for the relative tranquility that you can breathe (let’s not forget that we are in India, although, if you compare Bundi with other cities, we can say that it is quiet) and its places to visit.
This city of Rajasthan is well known for its many baoris and temples, as well as its blue houses. Bundi was founded by various local tribes who made it the capital of their kingdom, known as Hadoti, and in 1948 it became part of Rajasthan.
A baori is a well or cistern, very common in Rajasthan, used to ensure water supplies during periods of drought. They also served as community meeting places, and as a stage for festivals and events. In Bundi we can find a few that remind us of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
The narrow streets and ancient walls of this city are hidden away from the tourism and bustle of India, and add a touch of mystery and charm. Unlike other more touristy neighboring cities, we could say that Bundi has a more authentic and traditional atmosphere.
The climate in Bundi is similar to other cities in Rajasthan, generally arid, so we recommend that you go during the winter months, from October to March.
We know that the subject of visas can be somewhat confusing, especially for India, where obtaining one is an essential requirement for entry. In the article on how to obtain an Indian visa step by step (coming soon) you have information on how to apply for one online for up to 5 years.
It’s essential to travel to India with comprehensive insurance. We were among the first to offer the popular IATI discount, and you can now get it with Heymondo Travel Insurance as well.
You can find more information about both companies through the links provided above, or you can access the discount directly using the buttons below (in both cases, you’ll see the reduced final price on their website):
While many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in India offer free Wi-Fi, some travelers prefer or need a constant connection. We’ve included details on obtaining a eSIM India card with unlimited data (from Holafly) or with fixed data but cheaper (from Saily).
If you want to get it directly, here’s the link (with a discount) for both companies:
As in many other cities in India, the train is one of the best options. There are connections from the main cities in India such as Delhi, Udaipur or Kota from where trains arrive to Bundi.
You can take a look at our article about trains in India with all the information you need about sleeper classes (3rd class), and we have for you some links to the most popular trains to get to Bundi:
To get to Bundi from other cities in India, there are several bus services. We recommend the train instead, as roads in India tend to be a bit “difficult” for certain distances. In any case, here are some links to the most common routes:
You can fly to Kota and then take a bus or train to Bundi. Other nearby airports are Jaipur and Udaipur if you go through these cities first. Once there, it is best to take a train or bus to Bundi. You can use one of the links above.
Bundi Palace, also called Ghar Palace, is a spectacular building built in the 17th century by Raja Ratan Ji Heruled. It is located on top of a mountain, a little lower than the Taragarh Fort, and has impressive views over the city and the lake of Bundi.
The Maharaja’s chambers are found through the door guarded by two elephants.
It is full of columns, balconies and viewing points, and it is worth looking closely at all the details of the ornamentation and engravings that decorate the interior of some rooms.
Chitrashala, next to Bundi Palace, is a place full of colorful paintings and murals, mainly in shades of blue and green, which, being protected from rain and weather, have allowed them to be preserved in perfect condition for centuries.
According to our guide, the maharaja’s maids stayed here, and its walls depict different scenes from the Ramayana, small portraits or palaces in Mughal and Rajput styles.
By the way, beware of the monkeys outside Chitrashala, you have to be careful and rent a stick to scare them away.
Once we have seen the Bundi Palace, we must continue up the mountain until we reach the Taragarh Fort, built in the 16th century and which at one time had tunnels that crossed the hill.
The path to the top, surrounded by undergrowth in some sections and with the heat that is so oppressive in Bundi, is not easy, but it is worth going up to see the ruins of this fort, some water tanks and viewing points from where you can observe the also impressive views over the city.
As we have already mentioned, a baori is a cistern or stepped well very common in Rajasthan, used to ensure water reserves during periods of drought. In Bundi we find different baoris, including Raniji Ki, one of the most popular.
Built in the 17th century by Rani Nathavani Ji of the Maharaja’s queens, it is over 40 meters deep, has pillars with ornate reliefs and various sculptures. Nearby, there is another baori called Nagar Sagar Kund, which is now out of use.
If there is one baori that can catch our attention, it is Dabhai Kund, one of the largest in Bundi. Its ornamentation and stairs leave evidence of the greatness of the Rajput rulers.
At the foot of Bundi Palace and in the old part of the city lies Nawal Sagar Lake. This artificial lake is surrounded by several baoris and a luxurious 300-year-old palace, owned by the last maharaja of Bundi, now converted into a 15-room hotel.
In the center of the lake, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Varuna. It is a good place to stroll and quietly observe the life of the inhabitants and tourists of Bundi.
The oldest part of Bundi could not be less than other cities in India, and has an Old City full of narrow streets and bazaars (something we got used to on our visit to India). Among these streets we will find some of the hundreds of temples hidden in the city.
The most famous markets in Bundi are Sadar and Chaumauk bazaar, the first being located very close to Nawal Sagar lake, so we can go for a walk after visiting the lake.
South of Bundi, we find this temple, also known as the Cenotaph of the 84 pillars or Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri, dedicated to Shiva and built in the 17th century by the Maharaja Anirudh Singh. Most of the kings of the time were raised by caregivers and the Maharaja dedicated this building to one of them.
With a vaulted ceiling, inside we find beautiful stone carvings, in addition to the 84 pillars (they say there is a trick and that you cannot count the 84 columns).
If you rent a bike, a nice area to visit is Jait Sagar Lake, near Taragarh Hill, about 2 km from the center of Bundi. A quiet lake surrounded by hills, during the monsoon months its waters are covered with lotus flowers.
On one of its banks, we find the Sukh Mahal Palace, as well as Kshar Bagh, a garden containing dozens of cenotaphs of the ruling kings and queens in the region. The cenotaphs contain impressive carvings of elephants and horses.
This small and pretty summer palace on the banks of Lake Jait Sagar was built by Umed Singh and is surrounded by terraces, and now houses a museum. One of the most striking elements of Sukh Mahal Palace is its chhatri, a domed pavilion that is very typical of Hindu architecture.
As an anecdote, it is said that this palace and Bundi Palace are connected by an underground tunnel. This is where Rudyard Kipling was inspired and wrote part of his work Kim.
If you are in Jaipur and don’t have much time to spend in Bundi, you can also take a private day trip to Bundi from Jaipur with lunch.
Haveli Uma Megh is an old restored haveli (in Indian style, of course…), but very welcoming, just like its owners. It has a quiet garden with views to the Nawal Sagar lake, where you can relax at a table to read or have a beer. Our room, with an en-suite bathroom, was quite large, and the bed had a mosquito net.
We also leave here some recommendations for sleeping in Bundi:
After our visit to Bundi Palace, we went looking for a place to eat and, by chance, we found the Energy Cafe, where they gave us a small notebook with all the dishes listed. A charming terrace and the kindness of its owners confirmed that the place had been a success.
The best way to get around Bundi is on foot, as most places are within walking distance. Another option for visiting the lakes, for example, is to rent a bicycle.
And if you are carrying a load or prefer to go by car, the best way is by auto rickshaw.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Bundi.
