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Tourism
Ajmer
| Bharatpur
| Bikaner
| Bundi
| Jaipur
| Jaisalmer
| Jodhpur
| Mount
Abu | Udaipur
| Wildlife
Bundi - How to get there | Phool Sagar | Taragarh fort | Kota | Jhalawar
Bundi
Bundi is the undiscovered splendor, 36 Kms from Kota ruled by the Hada Chauhans. First destination is HADOTI. Set in a narrow inclining gorge. The palaces and forts have fairy tale quality about them. Isolated and independent, this picturesque location has much to offer. Rajput architecture shines and in the intricately carved brackets, pillars etc. Interesting places are
Diwan-e-aam, Hathia Pol, and Naubat Khana.
The Chitra
Shala has a colorful glimpse of history painted on ceilings and walls, making it an open art gallery. The paintings of Bundi School are famous for its festivals, animals and birds scenes portrayed beautifully. During the state time Bundi was popular for hunting's and so are the hunting lodges like Phool Sagar Palace, Sukh Mahal and Shikar Burj.
How to get there
Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur.
Train: Attached from all major states and cities. The Railway Station is located about 2km south of old city. There are rail connections between Bundi and Agra, Chittorgarh and Kota and connections with other areas like Banaras, Firojpur, Baroda, Dehradun, Gwalior, Trivendrum, Chittor, Jaipur and
Mathura.
Road: There are Express buses heading for multiple destinations in Rajasthan like, Ajmer, Bijolia, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, and Udaipur.
Phool Sagar
The Phool Sagar is an excellent and well-planned structure as also the decoration of this Rajput edifice, and the same beauty lies in the massive TARAGARH. This little town has yet retained a medieval atmosphere. Bundi is not exactly a tourist tramping ground but never the less, this adds on to its appeal with a curiosity to explore it. The look of the town has a Bluish hue same as that of Jodhpur. With no renovating desire, the art is in a crumbling state of disrepair. The original history claims that Bundi was once the capital of the great HADOTI KINGDOM. But then KOTA in 1624 was separated as an independent state and thus the journey of Bundi downfall started. A prominent author approached BUNDI, He came, He saw and He created RUDYARD KIPLING's inspiration took birth in the state of Bundi and so inspired was he by the enchanting set up that he captured its images and applied them to his works.
Taragarh fort
It was built in 1345 and is great ramble around at leisure. This is rather a ramshackle fort, with its overgrown vegetation. The view over the town and surrounding countryside from the top are magical, especially at sun set. Inside the ramparts are huge reservoirs carved out of solid rock, and the Bhim Burj, the largest of the battle- fields, on which there is mounted a famous cannon. Taragarh is reached by steep road leading up the hillside to its enormous gateway. Take a path up behind the chitra Shala, go east along the inside of the ramparts then left up the steep stone ramp just before the Dudha Mahal, a small disused building 200m from the palace.
Kota
An amazing, juxtaposition of majestic medieval age and modern industrialization, mainly the Hydro Electric Plant on the Chambal River and the Nuclear Power Plant has a few traces of its past still left. The fort overlooking the river Chambal is the foremost tourist attraction. It also houses the museum with a rich collection of art and artefacts and some elaborately painted chambers.
Earlier it was a part of Bundi state, but later it grew to be a bigger state. What retains the past glory are the untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and temples dating back over several centuries. These temples were conquered by the Hada chieftain Rao Deva. It was at the time of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir that Rao Ratan Singh gifted this territory to his son Madho Singh. The Kota state reflects in the form of a beautiful collection of Stone Idols (murties) in the Raj Mahal, embellished with gold stained glass work on the walls, the silver mirror work on ceilings and the marvelous wall paintings.
The Akh-Ade-ka-Mahal displays the regalia and paraphermedia of the state. Besides there is, Badal Mahal (the private living quarter) with the Kota Miniature show casing into beauty. The paintings of various schools of periods set in glass on the walls, the ladies interactions echo in the Zanana Mahal worth a look.
Other edifices of the by gone era are depicted in Brij Raj Bhawan Palace, the Jag Mandir an Island Palace and a splendid haveli (mansion) with beautiful frescos and royal cenotaphs. Kota today is well known for its dams and famous Kota Saris, woven in the nearby village Kaithoon, these are made of cotton silk in an assortment of
colors, and delicate golden thread. Miniature paintings of the hunting scenes, portrays the forest, while attracted many of the royals and aristocrats who passionately indulged in this wild sport, announcing Kota as the Magic along the Chambal river.
Jhalawar
The princely state of the Jhalas created in 1838 AD, after being separated from Kota by the British. It is best explored by foot within the city and a horse safari in the outskirts as Jhalawar boasts of rich natural wealth, with flora and fauna as active. Since it is situated at the edge of the Malwa Plateau it has rocky but water laden verdant landscape unlike much of Rajasthan, with some exquisite pre-historic cave paintings, massive forts, thick woody forests, exotic wild life variety and a lush country side which has Red poppy fields, orange laden orchards making it look fascinating and
colorful during winters.
The Bhawani Mandi contributes the major share of the
fort, it houses some exquisite paintings on walls and mirror. The museum has a collection of rare manuscripts and sculptures and Bhawani Natya Shala is one of the rare theatre in the area built in the 1920s. The major outskirts attractions are the Jhalrapatan (city of
temples), with a huge 10th century Surya temple, adorned by one of the best preserved idol of Surya. The Sheetaleshura temple is a fine example of Gupta architecture. A little away is the Chandrabhaga temple with gardens and a 'Bawari' (step well). All in all it is basically an attraction for the tourist of an individual interest.
References:
http://rajasthantourism.gov.in/
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