Bundi has been a crown in my months long solo backpacking across Rajasthan! Away from the extreme touristic crowd in major cities of Rajasthan, Bundi is a hidden gem with all the necessary regal touches (and more than that) to offer to the onlookers! Surrounded on three sides by Aravalli Range Bundi is situated near a narrow gorge. Bundi's architectural grandeur is particularly mindblowing with its ornate palaces, forts, azure lakes, intricately curved stepwells and much more!
How to reach? The town of Bundi is situated at 35 km from Kota and 210 km from Jaipur. It is connected to major cities of Rajasthan like Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Kota via road and rail.
DAY 01 - GARH PALACE, TARAGARH FORT, STEPWELLS, NAWAL SAGAR
=> Start the day early with a heavy breakfast as you would be going to explore two most elaborate and historically important landmarks of the Bundi town.
=> First, visit Garh Palace or Bundi Palace, which should not take more than 1.5hrs. Bundi Palace is famous for its lavishly drawn frescos and murals on the walls. The best part of the palace is the Chitrashala or the Umeed Mahal which has magnificent frescos drawn over the walls, from floor to ceiling. This is a UNESCO world heritage part of the palace and is unparalleled to anything else in Rajasthan.
=> After visiting the palace hike up through the steep stone-paved path leading to Taragarh Fort. It's the most impressive and massive structure in Bundi which is a great place to explore. But the place is not maintained at all and due to lack of security, it is not advisable to visit the place alone or in the late afternoon.
=>After hours of excursion under the scorching sun, take a relaxing lunch at Sawan Cafe which is just outside the palace entrance. It is a small joint run by a family offering various local Thalis and delicacies.
=> Start again in the late afternoon and take an auto to visit the famous Baori or stepwells of Bundi. Bundi houses over 50 stepwells. Raniji Ki Baori is the largest of its kind in Bundi and Rajasthan. It is an intricately carved 46-meter deep stepwell.
=> Next visit Dabhai Kund or the Jail Kund which is the largest Kund in Bundi. The surrounding area is not very clean and the entrance may not be open most of the times. But it is well worth a visit for the spectacular carvings on the numerous steps leading down to the water level.
DAY 02 - JAIT SAGAR LAKE, SUKH MAHAL, MEERA SAHAB DARGAH
=> On the second day, after breakfast, take a leisurely stroll around the old quarters of Bundi to explore this vibrant blue city of Rajasthan! The local life, street life along with beautifully colored and decorated houses are great to explore.
=> Walk towards Jait Sagar which is approximately 2km away from the palace chowk. The lake is spectacular and huge!
=> Sukhmahal is a cream-colored small wind palace that sits on the water bank of Jait Sagar. Rudyard Kipling stayed in Sukhmahal once. The view of the lake from the top floor of Sukh Mahal is unparalleled to anything else. It is undoubtedly the most pristine and serene part of the town.
=> From Sukhmahal head towards the 84 pillar cenotaph or Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri as it is known. It is a royal cenotaph built in the seventeenth century. The structure has a large shivling covered by a decorated rooftop that is supported by 84 pillars.
=> In the late afternoon head for the Meera Sahab ki Dargah which is situated at the eastern hilltop of Bundi. The dargah is a great place to offer some silent prayers and peaceful time to be with yourself. The way up the hill is one of the most spectacular journeys as one gets to see the entire Bundi town from there.
=>While coming back to the city, get down on the main road just above the Nawal Sagar Lake and do a small hike up to reach one of the four hill-corner chhatris of Bundi to witness a spectacular sunset. You can ask any local to show you the path towards the Mayur Chhatri or Peacock Chhatri and you are sure to enjoy the most dramatic yet tranquil sunset while overlooking the Bundi city.
Bundi has been one of the best places during my month long solotrip to Rajasthan. The yellow stoned palace and forts, blue-walled houses, azure patches of tranquil lakes, narrow lanes full of vibrantly coloured houses and people make it one of the most fascinating of the cities in Rajasthan. And the cherry on top is Bundi is not that crowded thus you can indulge in a self-explorating tour unlike in other major cities of the state. Bundi is a must visit place if you want to explore the diversity of Rajasthan!
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