Things to Do in Bundi

Standing tall against the ravages of time, the palace is noted for the delicate turquoise-and-gold murals and a Chinese-inspired ceiling. Inside the palace, constructed by Rao Raja Ratan Singh, you can view the Ratan Daulat or Diwan-i-Am.

The white marble coronation throne and beautifully carved coaches in the stable are significant attractions. The architecture shows incredible innovations in design. The palace houses some of the notable tourist places in Bundi, Rajasthan including Phool Mahal, Badal Mahal, Hathi Pol, and more.

Location: Bundi, adjacent to Taragarh Fort.

Entry fee: Rs. 80/-

Timings: 8 am – 6 pm.

Bundi abounds in baoris or stepwells, the most notable among which is Rani-Ji-ki-Baori. Constructed in 1699 by Rani Nathwati, it is one of the largest and most well-preserved stepwells in India. Thus, it is a must-visit among Bundi tourist places.

This 300-year old construction is 46 meters deep and dotted with pillars featuring sinuous carvings. The massive gate or toran has intricate murals typical of Bundi. If you climb down the zig-zag staircases, you will reach below-ground landings containing places of worship.

Location: Bundi Rd, near k. N, Adisal Singh Colony, Gayatri Nagar.

Entry fee: Rs. 75/-

Timings: 10 am – 4 pm.

Situated beside Jait Sagar Lake, this palace was built during Umed Singh's reign. The star attraction is a resplendent white marble umbrella on the second storey roof. Used by the royal princes as a summer getaway, the cosy palace now houses a tiny museum.

Adding to the aesthetics of this charming edifice are the lotuses that bloom in the lake after the monsoons. This is also famous among the places to visit in Bundi because the celebrated author Rudyard Kipling stayed here while writing the novel Kim.

Location: MDR 52, Teerath, Bundi, Rajasthan 323001.

Entry fee: Rs. 20/- (Covered in the composite ticket for Raniji-ki-Baori).

Timings: 9:45 am – 5 pm.

One of the incomparable places to visit in Bundi is the sprawling complex of Garh Palace. Once you enter through the renowned Hathi Pol, you can explore the delightful Rajputana architecture and the Bundi school of paintings.

The exquisite Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace) is inlaid with mirrors. The Chhatra Mahal contains a collection of awe-inspiring pictures. A gallery in this complex displays the formal attires of the illustrious kings, arms and ammunitions used in battles, and other interesting artefacts. Chitrashala and Badal Mahal are other places of interest here.

Location: Sadar Bazar, Teerath, Bundi.

Entry fee: Rs. 100/-

Timings: 8 am – 6 pm.

Situated at the heart of the town, this lake is a unique attraction among Bundi tourist places and shows the reflection of the entire city. Tourists flock to this lake for this unmatched view.

At its centre, the square, artificial lake has a half-submerged temple dedicated to Lord Varuna, the Hindu God of water. Several stepwells surround the lake, and it was the primary source of water for those wells. Today, it offers a peaceful ambience to spend quality time with loved ones.

Location: Balchand Para, Bundi.

One of the matchless tourist places in Bundi Rajasthan, this palace is steeped in history and offers gorgeous views of the Aravallis and the Nawal Sagar Lake. Built by Maharao Raja Bhao Singh in 1645, the fort was later strengthened and extended.

The subsequent rulers added steep stepwells and gardens that continue to pull visitors even today. Brilliant mirror works embellish the interiors of the palace. Rumour has it that when it was first built, 80 pounds of gold was used in its beautification, along with expensive marbles. A massive Shiva temple near the fort is another major draw.

Location: Teerath, Bundi.

Set in the middle of the forests, this old hunting lodge is now popular among Bundi tourist places as a picnic spot. Owned by the previous monarchs, this quaint cottage is located close to Sukh Mahal.

This historic mansion was home to Maharao Raja Umed Singhji in the sunset years of his life and now has a haunting quality of old-age charm. It still features a vegetable garden called Char Bagh that has a well at the centre. The garden also houses a temple and a pond where tigers used to drink from in the bygone days.

Location: MDR 52, Akoda.

A monument in the Taragarh Fort premises, Badal Mahal, is one of the best tourist places in Bundi Rajasthan. It is famous for its dazzling murals on the walls and the ceiling, the most well-preserved specimens of Bundi's art heritage.

The artwork on the ceiling is heavily influenced by Chinese culture. It is shaped like lotus petals adorned with frescos of Lord Krishna and peacocks. The style of the faces and the flowers hints of the opium trade with China. Below this structure lies the Zenana Mahal, the domain of the queens. It is also decorated with paintings showing glimpses of the royal life and court scenes.

Location: MDR 52, Teerath.

Timings: 9:45 am – 5pm.

The Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri is one of the most amazing places to visit in Bundi. It contains a dome on the first storey, shaped like an umbrella or Chhatri supported by 16 pillars. The lower level has chaurasi or 84 posts.

Historians claim that the number 84 signifies the cycles of rebirths that humans must pass through before reaching salvation. This two-storey structure erected on a high podium contains a shivling with engravings of dancing figurines, elephants, and deer on the base.

Location: Devpura, off Kota road.

Entry fee: Rs. 50/- (Included in the Rs. 75/- composite ticket for Raniji-ki-Baori and Sukh Mahal).

Timings: 9.30 am – 5 pm.

Bundi is a paradise for ardent shoppers offering exquisite pieces of art. You can find miniature paintings in the distinctive Bundi style, comfortable Kota sarees, and cotton carpets with intricate detailing.

Such mementoes can elevate your home décor, or you can use them as gifts. And the place to buy some of the best specimens of Bundi's art is the Sadar Bazaar. This market is especially noteworthy for shopping for cotton carpets with charming paintings. Some other merchandise on sale includes lac bangles, metal-wares, silver jewellery, wooden toys, and colourful cotton stoles called odhnis.

The arresting entrance to the Garh Palace complex is one of the most admired places to visit in Bundi. It has two enormous stone elephants forming an arc at the top. Hence the name Hathi Pol, meaning Elephant Gate.

Approachable via a steep stone ramp, this gateway is adorned with carved pillars and panels. It features marvelous arches and projecting balconies with latticed windows, examples of Rajasthan's distinctive architecture that evokes a sense of regal grandeur.

Location: Garh Palace, Sadar Bazar, Teerath, Bundi.

Entry fee: Rs. 80/- (covered in the ticket to Garh Palace).

Timings: 8 am – 6 pm.

Another superb specimen of stepped wells, the most striking feature of the places to visit in Bundi, Dhabhai Kund is a dramatic piece of architecture. The symmetric steps, counting more than 700, are an engineering marvel.

The geometric construction has elaborate carvings, typical of ancient Rajasthan's structural design. If you climb down the staircase, you can reach the water level below. Outside the Chauhan Gate, the twin stepwells of Nagar Sagar Kund are located.

Location: Gayatri Nagar.

Timings: 8 am – 7 pm.

Offering one of the most tranquil ambiences among the places to visit in Bundi, this lake is a popular excursion among the locals and tourists alike. The Sukh Mahal, a royal summer residence with terraced gardens is situated beside this lake.

Flanked by towering walls with four entryways, this 1.5km-long stretch of water body gets filled with lotuses in the rainy season and winter, creating an attractive sight. On the eastern fringes of the lake is the Kshar Bag featuring cenotaphs of previous Bundi rulers and their consorts. The structures feature intricate carvings.

Location: 2km from the town centre.

Bundi is the cradle of a distinct style of painting with elements of Mughal, Deccan, and Mewar-style art. And the best specimens of this school of painting can be seen at Chitrashala, a UNESCO World Heritage site among the places to visit in Bundi.

Located inside the Bundi Palace, this palace contains murals featuring green backgrounds, white human bodies, and traditional attires in jewel shades of red, blue, and black. The paintings transport you to the ancient courts of Rajputana and also depict the life of Lord Krishna, like his cosmic dance rasamandala with gopis.

Location: Garh Palace complex.

Entry fee: Rs. 100/-

Timings: 8 am – 5 pm.