Visit Bundi in Rajasthan : History, Poplar Places to Visit in Bundi, Best Time to Visit, FAQs (2024)
Rajasthan is one Indian state that needs no introduction. Well – known for its royal palaces, grand forts, vibrant culture, rich traditions, delicious cuisine and plethora of exciting sightseeing places, the state has made a place for itself in the hearts of travellers from all over the world. If you are planning a getaway and want to explore the rich heritage and sprawling deserts of the state, then we have found the best tourist place to visit in Rajasthan for you. Located in the south – eastern region of the state in a narrow valley within the majestic Aravalli Hills, the Bundi district is just like a small oasis. This place is quite popular throughout the country for housing a wide variety of interesting tourist attractions such as grand forts, historic step wells, royal palaces and majestic mansions. Sporting an array of stunning paintings, all of the sightseeing attractions to visit in Bundi reflect the royal and historic heritage of the place. Are you still not so sure about going to Bundi for the vacation? Don’t worry as in this travel guide for Bundi, we have already gathered some important information about the place for you. This will definitely help you in making up your mind. Continue reading to know more! Image Source
History of Bundi, Rajasthan
It is believed that in the ancient times, apparently the area around Bundi was inhabited by several local tribes and the place was initially known by the name of ‘Bunda-ka-nal’. In fact, there is a common belief that Bundi derived its name from a former Meena tribe man namely, Bunda Meena. Later, Rao Deva Hada took over the Bundi region from Jaita Meena in 1342 and governed it himself. He established the princely state of Bundi and renamed the surrounding region as Hadoti-the land of great Hada Rajputs. Once ruled by the Hada Chauhans, many historians believe that Bundi once served as the capital of the great Hadoti kingdom too.
However, it was in the year 1624 that Kota separated from the area and became an independent state which marked the start of downfall of the Bundi region. Despite that, Bundi with its charismatic medieval grandeur and historic charm has managed to become one of the top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. Witnessing several great battles and legendary tales of valor, Bundi boasts of a rich historical significance.
An Insight Into The Natural Beauty Of Bundi, Rajasthan
You will be pleased to know that the region of Bundi is exceptionally gifted when it comes to natural beauty. One can find the area flooded with a beautiful pattern of lakes and rivers, few mesmerising waterfalls, lushy lands and rich collection of flora and fauna. In fact, the picturesque natural beauty of the Bundi region is believed to have served as inspiration for plethora of writers and artists. For instance, it is popularly believed that the famous novel ‘Kim’ was penned by the Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling in Bundi. He was so impressed by the stunning sceneries of the place, that he glorified Bundi in his novel, calling it as a work of goblins rather than of men. Dotted with plenty of royal palaces and grand forts, the area of Bundi appears to have come alive from a fairy tale book. Surrounded by lush orchards of orange, pomegranate, guava and mango trees, lined by fields of cotton, wheat and barley, this place situated far away from the madness of city life, allows you to admire the simple rural lifestyle. With the mighty Aravalli range and a beautiful pattern of rivers as well as lakes, Bundi is undoubtedly one of the best tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.
Popular Tourist Places To Visit In Bundi, Rajasthan
Home to a wide array of magnificent palaces, grand forts, historic step wells, spiritual temples and a lot more, it is every traveller’s dream come true to explore the beautiful region of Bundi. Some of the top places to explore in Bundi are:
1. Taragarh Fort
The construction of this majestic historic structure in Bundi started in the year 1354, the same year when the state of Bundi was founded by Rao Deva. Also known popularly by the name of the ‘Star Fort’, this is one of the top attractions to visit in Bundi. Located on a steep hill, this massive square offers its visitors breath – taking panoramic views of the entire city of Bundi. Situated in Nagpahari of the Aravalli ranges, the beauty of the fort has even been mentioned by Rudyard Kipling in his famous novel. Though this majestic structure is mostly in ruins at the moment but it’s fascinating architecture still manages to inspire plenty of travellers who come to visit it from all over the country. The entrance is marked by the three gateways, and is followed by tunnels and many battlements along with ramparts. One can find several other interesting exhibits here such as the famous grand canyons or the Garbha Gunjan. The Rani Mahal located in the same area is also a popular attraction among tourists.
- Opening Hours: You can visit the place anytime in between 9 AM and 5 PM.
- Total time to explore: You need about 1 to 2 hours to completely explore the place.
- Photography: Visitors are allowed to click pictures inside the premises of the fort.
2. Moti Mahal
Built by Maharao Raja Bhai Singh ji in the year 1645, Moti Mahal is another top tourist place to visit in Bundi. Years later after its construction, in 16th and 17th century, Rao Raja Chatrasal took over the fort and later Rao Raja Umed singh took over it again. Gradually, over the time the fort was further expanded and strengthened by these two kings. They built several steep wells and added plenty of small structures in the fort.
By the 19th century, the place was once again captured and taken over by Ajit Singh who further beautified the place by building a mesmerising garden along with a lake as well as a massive Shiv temple near the fort. If you are a history buff, then you will definitely love exploring this grand palace and know more about its rich history. Apart from its historic significance, the Moti Mahal with the majestic Aravalli hills and the views of the stunning Nagal Sagar Lake offers a picturesque sight for photography.
- Opening Hours: You can visit the place anytime throughout the day.
- Total time to explore: You need about 1 to 2 hours to completely explore the place.
- Entry Fee: There is no entry fee to visit this place.
If your idea of getaway resembles staying in a princely state, knowing more about the rich culture of the state and exploring the historic sightseeing attractions, then Bundi will prove to be just the perfect vacation destination in Rajasthan for you.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Bundi, Rajasthan?
Bundi experiences pretty much similar weather to the rest of the state. The summer season is pretty hot and dry in Bundi. The days are extremely dry with hot winds blowing, while the night time is comparatively a bit cooler. Similarly, during the winter season, the weather here gets extremely chilly but despite the drop in temperature, exploring the place during this season is a pure delight. Hence, if you are looking for the best time to visit Bundi, then it is recommended that you plan your trip to the region in between the months of October and March because this is the period when the climatic conditions of the region are pleasant for sightseeing and exploration activities.
How to Reach Bundi, Rajasthan?
If you are worried about reaching Bundi, then don’t be because this region is well – connected with the rest of the country through various means of transport. In this travel guide for Bundi, we will tell you how you can reach the place easily. You can reach it:
- By Air: The nearest airport to reach Bundi is the Jaipur airport. This airport is located at a distance of about 150 km from the Bundi region. The airport offers plenty of flights connecting the place to the rest of the country. Once you reach the airport, you can easily take a cab or hire a taxi to reach your destination.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach Bundi is located in Kota. The railway station is located at a distance of just around 35 km from the region of Bundi. Once you reach the station, you can easily take a taxi or a cab to reach the destination. It will be a short ride only.
- By Road: Bundi is well – connected with many nearby major cities and states via roadways. There are plenty of state run as well as private buses that connect Bundi to a plenty of nearby cities including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh as well as that in Rajasthan such as Jaipur, Kota, Ajmer and so on. Other than that, Bundi is also well – connected by NH 12 from Jaipur to Bundi, Kota and Jabalpur.
FAQ’s For Tourists Visiting Bundi, Rajasthan
Q1. In Which Literary Work Of Rabindranath Tagore Is Bundi Mentioned?
Ans. The charming silhouette of the Bundi city has been mentioned in the ‘False Fort’ poem by Rabindranath Tagore.
Q2. Is Monsoon A Good Time To Visit Bundi?
Ans. Try to avoid visiting the region during monsoon season as during this period the climate here is extremely humid.
Q3. Who Should Visit Bundi?
Ans. Bundi is a great place to explore for history lovers, architecture buffs, cultural and nature lovers.