Bundi is in eastern Rajasthan.
Bundi rates highly in terms of attractions, the city is famous for the Taragarh fort which towers over the city, and it's more than 50 sunken step-wells used to draw clean water before the modern water mains were installed. The population of Bundi is approximately 105,000 people and was named after a Meena Chieftain Bunda, also notable the miniature paintings from the "Bundi School".
The city attracts a number of tourists in season and a multitude of guesthouses have sprung up near to the fort, ignore the hustlers in the street who try to lead you around or offer you services- you will be charged a higher rate which will go into the hustlers pocket.
The locals genuinely are a friendly lot however, and you can have a tea and make friends with almost everyone - even the shopkeepers and hustlers if you show some genuine intrest.
Famous visitors to Bundi include Rudyard Kipling (writer of The Jungle Book), Rabindra Nath Tagore, Virginia Fass, and film maker Satyajit Ray.
Step wells, or baori in Hindi, were the only method of obtaining and storing water in this part of India. While there are over 50 step wells that rise and fall depending on the water table. Most of the wells have fallen into disrepair and some are probably not worth visiting,but are free to enter (closest two by the azar park market). the Rani Ki Ji Baori (Queen's Step Well) is in good condition and a must-see.
- Rani Ki Ji Baori (Queen's Step Well). The most famous step well in Bundi, it was built in 1699 by the spurned queen. It is 46 metres deep and includes 200 steps.(200 rupee foreigners)
- Dabhai Kund. The largest in Bundi. Though slightly overgrown, it is well worth a visit for the spectacular carvings on the numerous steps leading down to the water level.
- Nagar Saga Kund. Constructed between 1871 and 1875, these are 2 step wells that have been extensively refurbished.
Rani Ki Ji Baori (Queen's Step Well). The most famous step well in Bundi, it was built in 1699 by the spurned queen. It is 46 metres deep and includes 200 steps.(200 rupee foreigners)
Dabhai Kund. The largest in Bundi. Though slightly overgrown, it is well worth a visit for the spectacular carvings on the numerous steps leading down to the water level.
Nagar Saga Kund. Constructed between 1871 and 1875, these are 2 step wells that have been extensively refurbished.
- Taragarh Fort. Built in the 16th century, this is one of the most famous forts in Rajasthan due to its intricate structures and a highly-regarded painting gallery.
- Garh (Bundi) Palace and Chitrashala - Ummed Mahal. These adjacent structures are must-sees and include some of the most amazing paintings in India. It is a steep climb to get up to the palace, which needed protection from attacking elephants.
- Sukh Mahal, On the southern tip of Lake Jait Sagal. A smaller palace built on a dam wall; Rudyard Kipling stayed here.
Taragarh Fort. Built in the 16th century, this is one of the most famous forts in Rajasthan due to its intricate structures and a highly-regarded painting gallery.
Garh (Bundi) Palace and Chitrashala - Ummed Mahal. These adjacent structures are must-sees and include some of the most amazing paintings in India. It is a steep climb to get up to the palace, which needed protection from attacking elephants.
Sukh Mahal, On the southern tip of Lake Jait Sagal. A smaller palace built on a dam wall; Rudyard Kipling stayed here.
- Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri. Constructed in the late 17th century by the maharaja as a memorial.
Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri. Constructed in the late 17th century by the maharaja as a memorial.
- Lake Jait Sagar. Once famous for louts flowers, this lake is adjacent to s small garden and Shikar Burj, an area used by kings for hunting.
- Lake Nawal Sagar. A large square-shaped artificial lake containing many small islands. A temple dedicated to Varuna, the vedic god of water, is half-submerged in the middle of the lake. The lake feeds the numerous step wells in the old city by creating an artificial water table.
- Lake Kanak Sagar, In the town of Dugari (A 67km drive northwest of Bundi. An extremely beautiful lake and town.
Lake Jait Sagar. Once famous for louts flowers, this lake is adjacent to s small garden and Shikar Burj, an area used by kings for hunting.
Lake Nawal Sagar. A large square-shaped artificial lake containing many small islands. A temple dedicated to Varuna, the vedic god of water, is half-submerged in the middle of the lake. The lake feeds the numerous step wells in the old city by creating an artificial water table.
Lake Kanak Sagar, In the town of Dugari (A 67km drive northwest of Bundi. An extremely beautiful lake and town.
- Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary, Bherupura Antri (<50km northeast of Bundi. A 307 km² park. Animals that live in the park include leopard, sambhar, wild boar, chinkara, sloth bear, indian wolf, hyena, jackal, and Fox. The best time to visit is between September and May. Safaris can be booked at several hotels, including Vrindawati, which is operated by the government. Entrance: ₹160 + safari costs.
Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary, Bherupura Antri (<50km northeast of Bundi. A 307 km² park. Animals that live in the park include leopard, sambhar, wild boar, chinkara, sloth bear, indian wolf, hyena, jackal, and Fox. The best time to visit is between September and May. Safaris can be booked at several hotels, including Vrindawati, which is operated by the government. Entrance: ₹160 + safari costs.
- Shree Krishna Art Jewelry, Nahar ka Chouhta (A few blocks south of the Bundi Government Hospital, +91 96492 45667. A store where you can find local treasures such as antiques, artwork, old coins, etc.
- Yug Art, Near Surang Gate, +91 9928948433. Yug is a fine painter who captures the beauty of Rajasthan. Styles range from portraits to landscapes to comics.
- Bundi Cafe & Crafts, Haveli Braj Bhushanjee. Best place to buy Bundi School Paintings
Shree Krishna Art Jewelry, Nahar ka Chouhta (A few blocks south of the Bundi Government Hospital, +91 96492 45667. A store where you can find local treasures such as antiques, artwork, old coins, etc.
Yug Art, Near Surang Gate, +91 9928948433. Yug is a fine painter who captures the beauty of Rajasthan. Styles range from portraits to landscapes to comics.
Bundi Cafe & Crafts, Haveli Braj Bhushanjee. Best place to buy Bundi School Paintings
In addition to the restaurants below, most hotels in Bundi have restaurants. For those on a budget you can usually get samosas from 5-7rp on street stalls, bannanas are only 20-40 rp a kilo in season
- Kipling Cafe, On Lake Jait Sagar. Fruit ingredients are grown next to the restaurant.
- Lakha, Nahar ka Chouhta. A tiny place where you sit on cushions and the owner cooks you an amazing meal.
- Namaste Cafe, Fort & Palace Road, Nahar ka chohta, +91 96 36 932300. Soul food. Really nice ambience and service.
- Ringo Star Bundi, Fort Street (On the main street.
- Tom and Jerry, Nahara Ka Chotta (Near surang gate, +91 80 58 369455. Western food, popular with tourists.
- Haveli Braj Bhushanjee, below palace. Traditionally decorated Darikhana is being used as dining hall . One can enjoy best local vegetarian meals in traditional atmosphere. You can also have your meals on the terrace with magical view of illuminated palace and town.
Kipling Cafe, On Lake Jait Sagar. Fruit ingredients are grown next to the restaurant.
Lakha, Nahar ka Chouhta. A tiny place where you sit on cushions and the owner cooks you an amazing meal.
Namaste Cafe, Fort & Palace Road, Nahar ka chohta, +91 96 36 932300. Soul food. Really nice ambience and service.
Ringo Star Bundi, Fort Street (On the main street.
Tom and Jerry, Nahara Ka Chotta (Near surang gate, +91 80 58 369455. Western food, popular with tourists.
Haveli Braj Bhushanjee, below palace. Traditionally decorated Darikhana is being used as dining hall . One can enjoy best local vegetarian meals in traditional atmosphere. You can also have your meals on the terrace with magical view of illuminated palace and town.
- Sathi Lassi. Good, thick lassis.
- Krishna tea shop, watch the enigmatic owner prepare spice tea/coffee from scratch in a small shop decorated mostly by tourists, is expansive at 40 rupees, but worth it to say you've had a proper massala Chai. Late in the evenings "special tea" may be available - probably why it's famous
Sathi Lassi. Good, thick lassis.
Bundi is well connected by road to cities such as Delhi (475km), Jaipur (215km), Udaipur (270km), Chittorgarh (150km), Ajmer (175km), Kota (40km), Sawai Madhopur/Ranthambore (120km), and Agra (400km).