|
Bundi
|
Bundi is the undiscovered splendour, 36 Kms
from Kota ruled by the Hada Chauhans. First destination is HADOTI. Set
in a narrow inclining gorge. The palaces and forts have fairy tale
quality about them. Isolated and independent, this picturesque location
has much to offer. Rajput architecture shines and in the intricately
carved brackets, pillars etc. Interesting places are Diwan-e- aam,
Hathia Pol, and Naubat Khana.
The Chitra SHALA has a colourful glimpse of history painted on ceilings
and walls, making it an open art gallery.
The paintings of Bundi School are famous for its festivals, animals and
birds scenes portrayed beautifully.
During the state time Bundi was popular for hunting's and so are the
hunting lodges like Phool Sagar Palace, Sukh Mahal and Shikar Burj. |
 |
|
|
|
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
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 travellers through an enormous gateway. Once inside
the fort, the traveller 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
traveller 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.
PLACES AROUND BUNDI
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 & FESTIVALS
Bundi is famous for its Kajli-teej festival. This annual festival is
held in July-August. Travellers must make it a point to visit Bundi
during this festival.
HOW TO REACH
BY RAIL - 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.
BY ROAD - 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.
|
|
Phool
Sagar
The PHOOL
SAGAR is an excellent and well-planned structure as also the
decoration of this Rajput edifice, and the same beauty lies
in the massive TARAGARH. This little town has yet retained a
medieval atmosphere. Bundi is not exactly a tourist tramping
ground but never the less, this adds on to its appeal with a
curiosity to explore it. The look of the town has a Bluish
hue same as that of Jodhpur. With no renovating desire, the
art is in a crumbling state of disrepair. The original
history claims that Bundi was once the capital of the great
HADOTI KINGDOM. But then KOTA in 1624 was separated as an
independent state and thus the journey of Bundi downfall
started. |
 |
|
A prominent
author approached BUNDI, He came, He saw and He created
RUDYARD KIPLING's inspiration took birth in the state of
Bundi and so inspired was he by the enchanting set up that
he captured its images and applied them to his works. |
|
|
|
|
|
Taragarh
fort
It was built
in 1345 and is great ramble around at leisure. This is
rather a ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation.
The view over the town and surrounding countryside from the
top are magical, especially at sun set. Inside the ramparts
are huge reservoirs carved out of solid rock, and the Bhim
Burj, the largest of the battle- fields, on which there is
mounted a famous cannon. Taragarh is reached by steep road
leading up the hillside to its enormous gateway. Take a path
up behind the chitra Shala, go east along the inside of the
ramparts then left up the steep stone ramp just before the
Dudha Mahal, a small disused building 200m from the palace.
|
 |
|
|
|
