Discover Bundi: Stepwells, Palaces and Lakes

Bundi combines impressive architecture with lakes, murals and nature experiences. The stepwells are a special highlight for your trip: Raniji ki Baori was built in 1699 by Rani Nathavati Ji. Dabhai Kund is an inverted pyramid-shaped stepwell and the largest of its kind in Bundi. Both structures give you a specific reason to consider the town’s architectural history when planning your trip.

Stepwells, Fort and Murals

Taragarh Fort is also one of Bundi’s defining historic sites; it was built in 1354. Its grounds are ideal for a leisurely stroll. If you prefer to combine architecture with time outdoors, you can treat this stroll as an experience in its own right alongside a visit to the stepwells. The Eighty Four-Pillared Cenotaph offers a different architectural accent: as its name suggests, the structure has 84 pillars and intricate carvings.

Chitrashala and Chhatra Mahal offer further perspectives for art enthusiasts. Chitrashala is an art gallery in Bundi known for its murals and frescoes, including depictions from the lives of Krishna and Radha. Chhatra Mahal, in turn, is an example of Rajput architecture. Its painted façades depict stories from Indian mythology, history and culture. Together, these sites offer different points of interest: pillars and carvings, paintings and stories, or the architecture of a fort.

Sukh Mahal was a summer retreat for former rulers. The Government Museum in Bundi was established on the grounds of the protected monument Sukhmahal. This adds a historic residence and a museum as two distinct aspects to your cultural itinerary.

Lakes and Green Surroundings

Water also shapes the selection of sights. Nawal Sagar Lake is man-made and contains a partially submerged temple dedicated to Lord Varun Dev. Jait Sagar Lake has a different setting: it is surrounded by green hills and lined with splendid palaces. If you would like to include lakes and scenery in your trip, these two places offer different points of interest without requiring you to treat them as part of a single walking route.

Shikar Burj lies in Bundi’s dappled forests and has been converted into a picnic spot. Nearby, at Kanak Sagar Lake near Dugari, migratory birds such as bar-headed geese and demoiselle cranes can be observed year-round. Another nature experience is the Chambal safari associated with Bundi: it passes through a river landscape of deep gorges, high clay banks and waterfalls. This gives you the option of weighing architecture and lakes in town against nature experiences in the surrounding area when choosing your destinations.

Festivals and Getting There

Kajli Teej takes place each year in the Hindi month of Bhadra, that is, in July or August. The Bundi Festival includes a handicrafts fair. These events add cultural festivities to the architectural sites and landscapes that can be visited year-round. If such experiences matter to you, take Kajli Teej and its stated time of year into account when planning your trip; the Bundi Festival offers a separate reason to visit for those interested in culture, with its handicrafts fair.

Bundi is served by regular buses from Ajmer, Bijolia, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sawai Madhopur and Udaipur. Bundi also has rail connections with Chittorgarh. You can take these travel options into account when planning your stay. When choosing a holiday apartment, the first consideration is whether you want to focus your visit mainly on Bundi’s historic architecture and lakes, or also include nature destinations in the surrounding area.

Other destinations at the same level: Ajmer, Rajsamand, Barmer, Banswara, Sawai Madhopur, Bhilwara and Jhalawar.

To the main travel overview: Rajasthan.