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Introduction
The small, rustic town of Bundi was the capital of one of the
erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan. It is known for its
palaces, forts, baolis (step wells) and water tanks. The
monuments and their architecture reflect the splendor of the
local Rajput chiefs. The walls of the palaces at Bundi are
decorated with life-size frescoes depicting the glory of its
rulers.
The area of Bundi came under the Chauhan rulers in the 12th
century. The descendents of the Chauhans set up their center
at Bundi and ruled from here. Bundi got its name from Bunda,
one of its former rulers. It was an important state at the
peak of Rajput glory in medieval times. The association with
the Mughals led to the decline of Bundi.
In 1624, Emperor Jahangir pressurized the local rulers and
split the erstwhile state into two parts-Bundi and Kota.
Although the state lost its glory, it continued to be an
independent state within the British rule and became a part of
India when it gained independence in 1947.
Climate: Bundi is
located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the
northwestern part of India. It is located amidst a hilly
terrain, near a gorge. It is 206 km from Jaipur and 36 km from
Kota. The climate of Bundi is extreme: summers are quiet hot
(April-June) and winters are cool (October-February). It
experiences scant rainfall between June and August.
Location : The best time to visit Bundi is between the
months of October and February, but one might also visit it in
July-August, when the Kajli-teej festival is celebrated here.
Best time to visit: An extensive green cover ensures a
pleasant season during spring and early winter. The best
season to visit the city though remains between October and
March.
Places of interest
Bundi is
famous for its monuments and especially its fort, which
preserves the glorious legacy of its erstwhile Rajput rulers.
Bundi is also famous for its waterworks.
Taragarh Fort
The Taragarh fort, built in 1354, with its imposing structure
of stone, is situated on a steep hill and has massive
battlements and ramparts. The fort welcomes the traveler
through an enormous gateway. Once inside the fort, the
traveler can see the Bhim Burj, the largest battlement, and a
huge water reservoir carved out of solid rock. From the fort,
one can see the entire town. Tourists also visit the fort to
see sunsets.
Bundi Palace
Bundi palace, which is situated on a hill, adjacent to the
Taragarh fort, is known for its traditional murals. These
murals give the traveler a glimpse of the splendor and
lifestyle of the rulers of Bundi and their exploits. Though
most parts of the palace walls are decorated with traditional
murals, only the Chitra Shala area is open for the tourist.
Special permission has to be obtained to see the frescoes in
other parts of the palace.
Waterworks
Bundi has a number of impressive baolis or step wells.
Raniji-ki-Baoli, (Queen's step well) is an important place to
visit. It is a 46-m-deep step well, built in 1699 by Queen
Nathavatji, and is known for its carvings. The Nagar Sagar
Kund, a pair of identical, step wells is near Raniji-ki-Baoli,
in the center of the town. Nawal Sagar, the artificial lake
near the palace is a good tourist spot and one can see a
shrine at the center of this lake. Other waterworks worth
visiting are Dhabhai Kund and Bhora-ji-ka-Kund. Other places
of tourist importance are the Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market)
within the old town. An 84-pillared cenotaph is situated at
the southern end of the town within a well-laid garden, near
the railway station. It is worth visiting at night when the
monument is lit up.
Festivals in Bundi
Teej Festivals
: Bundi
is famous for its Kajli-teej festival. This annual festival is
held in July-August. Travelers must make it a point to visit
Bundi during this festival. |
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