Bundi

City of Rajasthan, 214 km from Jaipur

should-see attraction

Visit duration: People typically spend up to 1 day here

Places to visit in Bundi

About Bundi City

Bundi, a small town in Rajasthan, was founded by Rao Deva Singh. The enchanting town with its Brahmin-blue houses, a temple, incredible palace, bewitching stepwells, reflective lakes, and colourful bazaars is popular among tourists who look for pleasant and interesting places that are not crowded. The town retains the regal aura and the ancient charm of Rajasthan.

In the 12th century, a tribe of nobles from the Chauhan family were compelled to move south because of Muhammad of Ghori. When they arrived at this area that is currently recognised as Bundi, they fought with the pre-existing Mina and Bhil tribes and settled down. They made Bundi the capital of their kingdom which was then called Hadoti. They were royal patrons of the Mughal court and were also able to maintain their independence until Rajasthan made the city a part of it.

Stepwells of Bundi

Home to over 50 beautiful stepwells or baoris, Bundi was said to have 100 baoris which were built to access underground water. Among these baoris, Raniji ki Baori or the Queen's Stepwell still remains a popular tourist attraction in your Rajasthan tour itinerary.

Another step well that is built completely different from this one is Dabhai Kund Stepwell. It is also known as the Roaring Tiger as according to legend a tiger had fallen in the well water and was unable to be saved by the local people. To honour the tiger, it was given this name.

While most baoris are not maintained well, another one that is popular among visitors is the Shree Abhay Nath Mahadev Ki Baoli. It is an L-shaped boari with eight elegantly decorated columns. Another such L-shaped baori is the Bhawaldi Baori.

Each Boari present in Bundi has a story associated with it and striking architecture that showcases how skilled the makers were.

Palace and Forts in Bundi

Rajasthan’s cities and towns are home to magnificent architectural wonders and when it comes to Bundi, it is no exception.

The Bundi Garh Palace is a striking example of the town's architecture. The edifice of the palace is so skillfully created that it seems to be mushrooming from the rock that it is built on. The palace was constructed during the rule of Rao Raja Ratan Singh and his successors later on added to the complex.

Enter the complex through Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate). The gate leads to a staircase that takes you to Diwan-e-Aam where the coronation of the king took place in the presence of common men. Then you enter Chhatra Mahal, a part that was added later. The mahal displays murals that are not in great condition. This leads to another fleet of stairs that takes you up to the e Phool Mahal where you can witness murals that display royal processions. You can see the finest murals including ceilings decorated with peacocks and Lord Krishna’s murals in the Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace.

Once you have visited these places, you can exit through the Hathi Pol and walk uphill. You will reach Chitrasala where you can spot some interesting paintings in the rooms that surround the palace’s courtyard. The Sheesh Mahal is located at the back of the Chitrasala where you can see beautiful but weathered inlaid glass work. In the Sheesh Mahal, you can also see a painting of Bundi in the 18th century.

On the hilltop, above the Bundi Palace lies a 14th-century fort called Taragarh. The place is overgrown with knee-high grass.

The palaces and forts in Bundi have their own charm, representing a time that’s gone by and standing as an eye-witness of Rajasthan’s opulence and grandeur.

Sleeping in Bundi

A comfortable space to rest after touring a city is essential. Enjoy the most satisfactory services of Bundi at some of the finest accommodations.

Hotel Kasera Heritage View

The reconstructed haveli is located 280m from Garh Palace which offers an asymmetrical contemporary hall and authentic rooms that are brightly decorated with a rooftop restaurant. All the services are combined with friendly hospitability. Hotel Kasera Heritage View provides both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned budget-friendly rooms for travellers.

Hotel Bundi Haveli

This average budget haveli is located in Balchand Para and is 800m from Garh Palace. This remodelled haveli is decorated with stone floors, white walls, colour highlights and framed artefacts in contemporary fashion. The rooftop restaurant of the haveli focuses majorly on the Indian menu.

Hotel Haveli Braj Bhushanjee

This expensive 200-year-old haveli located at Balchand Para is managed by the Braj Bhushanjee family who are the offspring of the former prime ministers of Bundi. This haveli is the first guesthouse of Bundi that still retains the original stone interiors and murals, historic and valuable artefacts, along with a private garden and magnificent rooftop views. Haveli Braj Bhushanjee includes contemporary rooms ornate traditionally.

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Eating in Bundi

Here are some of the greatest places to eat in Bundi.

Bundi Vilas Restaurant

The rooftop restaurant is located in Balchand Para. It opens from 7:30 am to 10:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. At night, it opens at 7:00 pm and closes at 10:00 pm. The restaurant offers Indian cuisine at a budget-friendly price. It also has a farm on the outskirts of the city and so the ingredients used in this restaurant are farm-fresh. Their homemade jam products are a must-try for travellers. It is recommended to book a table beforehand to enjoy the limited services of candlelit dinner.

Morgan's Place Restaurant

The restaurant is located on the terrace of the Kasera Paradise Hotel. It opens at 9:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm. It is a multicuisine budget-friendly restaurant. They serve dishes like pizza, pasta and falafel along with fresh juice, simple coffees and even expresso. The restaurant is perfect to sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday with a comfy spirit.

Rainbow Restaurant Cafe

A budget-friendly rooftop cafe with a multicuisine menu is located near Nawal Sagar Lake. It is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Along with various tasty snacks, the cafe serves special lassis. Rainbow Restaurant Cafe has an uncommon floor-cushion seating arrangement with a Bohemian ambience intensified with chill tunes which are confined within bamboo lattice windows to keep the ravaging macaques at a distance.

Other cities near Bundi

• Chittorgarh Fort - 158 km
• Pushkar - 185 km
• Jaipur - 214 km
• Udaipur - 270 km

FAQs about Bundi

1. Which is the best place to shop in Bundi?

When in Bundi, you can shop for cotton carpets at Main Bazar. For miniature statues that are famous in Bundi, you can visit the Sadar Bazar. In Chaumukha Bazar, you can find beautiful pieces of jewellery.

2. How many days would suffice to tour the city of Bundi?

To avoid the hassle of continuous touring, it would be better to enjoy the city at a calm pace which requires a minimum one full day to complete the tour without hustling.

3. What is the best time to visit the city?

The city being a part of Rajasthan will be hot for tourists during summer, so it would be best to avoid the hot season while visiting the city.