Bundi - Rajasthan

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I only did a quick overnight visit to this place as I had heard about it's architectural beauty and the unspoiled nature of it's old buildings. Apart from the same issues that seem to be everywhere at the moment re: failed lakes (the lake in Bundi is very low and toxic) due to poor monsoons and abuse, I was very pleasantly surprised by the amazing paintings on the walls and ceilings of the ill-kept palace/fort.

Bundi is a city of approximately 88,000 inhabitants (2001) in Rajasthan in northwest India. It is of particular architectural note for its ornate forts, palaces, and stepwell reservoirs known as baoris.

Attached are some pics which say it all

Travel to Bundi from Pushkar involved a 15 min bus to Ajmer - then a 4.5 bus to Bundi. Sitting in the seat behind the driver with a full view of his 'risk-taking' behaviour may not have been a great idea - and certainly would not be recommended for the faint hearted!

If you look at the sunset picture - looking back at the palace - one can almost imagine Gandolf riding his white steed up the pathways to the top garden area.

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Photos

Bundi palace and fort
This is the view of the palace and fort on the way into town on the bus from Ajmer

Bundi elephant gate 1
This is the main gate to the old palace

Bundi elephant gate 2
Huge stone elephants perched above the main entrance to the palace

Garden at top of palace
This garden reminded me of the kings throne level in "the return of the king" - Lord of the Rings

Stone cupola
Looking up while sitting inside the balcony of a stone cupola in the fort

Queens Boari
A "boari" is a stepping well - this one is spectacular - right in the middle of Bundi - and was used by the Queen (I guess for bathing?) - now empty but very deep and would have been gorgeous when the water table filled it.

Bundi Hawelli Door
THese doors to Hawallis (residences) are typical all over Rajasthan but stunning here in Bundi - they enter into a central courtyard

Sunset
Looking back at the palace from the cupola in the mid-way fort

Comments

[Sue E]

Update
So according to your blog you have been travelling for the last ten years (since 1999) so maybe that explains many things. Strange sense of deja vu perhaps or just that you wish you had left sooner!!. Anyway the photogeraphs are brilliant although the text was very entertainng. I did like the gift of the temple and the determination to follow the PD logic to it's end. Perhaps when you are over the first blush of love this will change. I know at times I give brilliant advice but I wish you didn't find it so easy to act on. Much love to you despite all. xx