Why Bundi Should Be on Your Rajasthan Itinerary: A Complete Guide
The history of India narrates several stories of victory and defeat, but only a few narrate the stories of the remnants of battles. The history of Bundi is one such story known for intense romance, tales of sacrifice, and loyalty that travellers are falling in love with. Bundi, a gem of Rajasthan known for its tragic history, its forts, palaces, and paintings, is also referred to as the city of stepwells.
This quiet royal town in Rajasthan is characterised by slow travel experiences, with fewer crowds. Visiting Bundi with the best travel information means enjoying slow mornings, taking heritage walks, and taking home a part of India’s lesser-known history.
Where is Bundi? Why does it feel Frozen in Time?
Bundi is a small town close to the major cities of Jaipur and Kota, and famous among travellers for its well-preserved Rajput architecture, mural paintings, and blue city vibes.
Bundi has forts, it has palaces, it has step wells, it has murals, and it almost has everything that the tourist hubs like Jaipur and Jodhpur have. Bundi, however, does not have the heavy crowd of those cities, which offer better preserved historical insights and opportunities for quieter engagement, making Bundi an important tourist destination.
The Story Behind Bundi: Forts, Frescoes, and Forgotten Royals
Once upon a time, Bundi was inhabited by the Meena Tribe, from whom the Hada Chauhan Rajputsacquired the place. The rulers displayed immense interest in the arts, which is evident in the walls covered with paintings. These frescoes depicted everyday life – women at festivals, kings hunting, monsoon clouds, gardens, music, and stories from mythology.
When the Mughals were in India, unlike many other kingdoms, the rulers of Bundi had a cordial relationship with the Mughals, the reflection of which started to show in the art. Artists adopted the Mughal style, which included more natural faces, finer details, realistic animals, and softer colours.
The Mughal Style, however, did not take over the art space but blended with the existing art, giving Bundi its own art style. While forts and palaces remained Rajput in structure, elements like arched doorways, domed pavilions, gardens, and water features came from Mughal Design ideas.
Places You Would Instantly Want to Save on Google Maps
Taragarh Fort
‘Taragarh’ gets its name because of its position at the top of the Aravalli Hills, whichprovides a star-like view of the surroundings, making you want to pause mid-climb and soak in the unparalleled beauty. The fort is largely in ruins, providing a peek into what it could have been and leaving the visitors emotional about the battles, strength, and bravery the structure must have witnessed.
Bundi Palace and Chitrashala
Bundi Palace, famous for its grand Chitrashala, is visited by travellers to get a glimpse of the distinctive Bundi Art. Several paintings illustrate Krishna Leela, Vaishnavite and Shaivite legends, royal portraits, flora, fauna, and daily life. In addition to the history and culture it depicts, the frescoes are definitely Instagram-worthy.
Raniji ki Baori and Bundi’s Stepwell Trails
Bundi is known as the City of Stepwells because of approximately 50 stepwells, all with unique carvings and designs. Raniji ki Baori is one of the most prominent amongst them. This architectural idea is unique to India and is usually found in dry areas, and is used for rainwater harvesting. Raniji ki Baori, specifically, is marked with ornate pillars, arched gates, and temple-like carvings. The use of geometry and symmetry makes it extremely appealing to photographers.
Nawal Sagar Lake
Nawar Sagar Lake is an elegant man-made lake that lies at the centre of Bundi in Rajasthan. The lake was built to meet the water needs of the city in the 17th century and is now visited by travellers for its scenic beauty and historical significance. The lake provides an amazing sunrise view and a clear reflection of the palace, temples, and clouds. The best time to visit is from October to March for the pleasant weather.
Blue Streets, Quiet Cafes, and Everyday Life in Bundi
A weekend in Bundi means an experience walking through the blue streets that are soft and calm, and away from the loud streets of Jaipur and alike—the sound of occasional temple bells in the distant background and the soft sunlight on the old town walls.
The cafes in Bundi are different from what we see around us. The Cafés are small, quiet spaces with few wooden furnishings and a handwritten menu. The windows of some cafes provide an amazing view of the city.
Like the city, the daily life of the people is also far from chaos. Women chatting from balconies, kids cycling through alleys, and cows nappingare some everyday sights that can make a city hustler a little envious. In short, Bundi is the best destination for wandering without an itinerary. The untapped beauty for the creators, the colours and paintings for the photographers, and a chaos-free experience for solo travellers, it has it all.
What Bundi Tastes Like: Local Food You Shouldn’t Skip
Rajasthani cuisine is known for its mouth-watering flavours and unique ingredients. The method and medium of cooking are also different at times, and that adds to the uniqueness of the flavours. These Rajasthani dishes constitute an important part of the local foods of Bundi
Dal Baati Churma
A plate full of flavours is what describes this dish rightly. Round Battis, a bowl of daal, and a small heap of churmaserved with love is what forms the dish. This dish is usually served with red chilli oil anda lot of ghee.
Gatte Ki Sabzi
Steamed gram flour dumplings floating in a spicy, creamy sauce is what best describes this dish. One bite of this local curry is enough to get impressed with the simplicity of the dish and the complexity of flavours.
Laal Mass
Bundi cuisine comprises several wild meat variants, but the laal mass has gained the most popularity over the years. Non-veg lovers have surely heard about this fiery mutton curry with bold, warming, and intensely spiced flavours.
Pyaaz ki Kachori
Kachoris are golden-brown, round, crispy pastries usually with a filling inside. This local street bite is rightfully famous because of the flavours you will instantly fall in love with.
Mirchi Bada
Mirchior chillies have made their way into the Rajasthani cuisine like no other ingredient. So much so that the street stalls sell long green chillies dipped in thick gram batter and deep fry them to make them into small mirchi bad air fritters.
Bundi Namkeen
The round, small, and uneven balls are not just food, but a known texture and sound that forms a habit. The sharp salty crunch with mild heat is what describes the flavours of this dish, which is usually a part of conversations, long waits, and casual walks.
These are only a few of the varied foods that describe the taste of Bundi. The prices usually do not affect the pocket much. Carefully scanning the streets for the right stall and sharing can help save a lot.
When to Visit Bundi (And When Not to)
The winter months are best to visit Bundi to avoid the extreme weather conditions. These are also the appropriate months for festivals, for aesthetic photography, and for carrying out long walks with peace and calm.
The Summer months, which usually start in April, are extremely hot and dry, making it uncomfortable, while the monsoon months are marked with intense humidity and potential travel disruptions.
How to Plan a Smooth Trip to Bundi
Bundi is 40 km away from Kota, which has the closest operational airport with potential domestic connections, and approximately 210 km from Jaipur International Airport for more travel options.
Bundi has its own Railway Station with some direct trains, while Kota Junction is the major junction, which is just 39 km away from Bundi and is more widely connected with several cities.
Bundi is well connected by roads, and a cab from any of the above-mentioned can take you to Bundi with ease and comfort.
Staying in Bundi
Bundi offers several accommodation options that range from luxury hotels, heritage stays, to budget-friendly guest houses, hotels, and hostels. The accommodations are usually situated near major tourist attractions. Several websites offer pre-booking facilities with trusted reviews from travellers, making the decision easy.
Local Help and Travel Support
The best way to explore any place that has historical relevance is by taking help from local people and hiring local guides to have an educational dive during the walking tours.
Consulting tourist information centres can provide suggestions that are quite practical, especially for first-time visitors, as they can help them explore confidently.
An honest comparison of Bundi with the other famous cities of Rajasthan will leave you with the conclusion that Bundi is definitely a better choice, owing to fewer crowds, lower costs, the slow pace, and a more intimate experience.
A Simple 2-Day Bundi Plan
(Save this!)
Day 01: Spend the first day exploring the streets, forts, and palaces by taking a heritage walk through the narrow streets of the city.
Day 02: Start the second day by enjoying the slow mornings of the place and then proceeding to discover the stepwell architecture. Evenings can be reserved for visiting the markets and taking a little something as a token of memory from this place.
Travel Responsibly: Keep Bundi the way it is
Bundi isn’t famous yet, and that ensures the magic of discovery. However, it also brings with it the responsibility of leaving the place without affecting it much. This can be ensured through conscious travelling practices, respecting the heritage, and supporting the local businesses.
The pace has seen its days of glory and has also seen slow distortions over the years. Responsible travelling can help pause the distortion and preserve it for future generations to know and admire.
Save this, share this with your traveller friends, and plan to explore the lesser-known places for a first-hand experience beyond the clutter of what is known. For exclusive Rajasthan off-beat travel packages, contact the Solitary Traveller today!
Comment (0)