Facts and Figures Population 77,000 Languages Rajasthani, Hindi Best time to visit Winters STD Code 0747 THE CAPITAL OF THE CHAUHANS 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.

LOCATION
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.

VISITING TIME
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.

THE PAST 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. TOURIST SPOTS Bundi is famous for its monuments and especially its fort, which preserves the glorious legacy of its erstwhile Rajput rulers. 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, 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. Bundi is famous for its waterworks. It 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.

SITES NEARBY
There are many tourist attractions near the town. Phool Sagar Palace, a modern palace built in the 20th century, with its well-laid gardens and artificial tanks, is several kilometers from the town, on the way to Ajmer. The Sukh Mahal Palace is 2 km north of the town near the Jait Sagar Lake. The Sar Bagh, with its royal cenotaphs and intricate carvings, and the Shikar Burj, a small royal hunting lodge adjacent to the Jait Sagar Lake, are other nearby places worth visiting. Garardha village, 32 km south of Bundi, is known for its ancient rock paintings that are about 15,000 years old.

FAIRS AND 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.

HOW TO REACH
Bundi does not have an airport. It has a small railway station located to the south of the town. Bundi is well connected with Agra and Kota by trains. One can also catch trains from Kota, which is 36 km from Bundi and is an important railhead. Bundi is also well linked by bus with Ajmer (5 hours), Kota (1 hour), Udaipur (9 hours) and Jaipur (5 hours). The main bus stand is 1 km north of the railway station.

One can move around the town using auto-rickshaws and take taxis to visit places around. Bikes are also available on hire.

PLACES TO STAY
Most of the hotels in Bundi are mid-range. The traveler can also find a number of guesthouses.

PLACES TO EAT
Bundi does not offer any special cuisine to the traveler and food is reasonably priced.

INFORMATION
There is a small tourist office (Ph: 22697) in the grounds of the Circuit House. To see all the murals within the Bundi palace, special permission has to be obtained from the Maharaja of Bundi (Ph: 32812). There are many tourist attractions near the town, but getting there without proper transport is a problem. Beware of the commission racket in Bundi. The auto-rickshaw drivers may mislead travelers into those hotels from where they get commission.