South of Jaipur on the road to Kota, Bundi is an attractive town famous for its forts and places nestled within the beautiful Aravalli Hills. Kipling stayed here in the late 19th century and is said to have found inspiration for his book Kim, but despite this it has attracted relatively few visitors. Bundi is off the main tourist circuit in Rajasthan, and the town is largely unspoilt, although this does means that the tourist facilities here are not as developed as other parts of the state.
The most famous attraction in Bundi is Bundi Palace, located on the hillside overlooking the town. This 16th century palace is adorned with lavish carvings and brightly painted murals, with a fine view over the town from the ornate balconies and terraces. The older Taragarh Fort on the crest of hill above Bundi palace has even more impressive views, but watch out for the monkeys.
Bundi town itself has many impressive havelis and temples as well as a lively bazaar. Many of the houses are painted blue and the narrow alleys are fascinating places to explore for a taste of Indian life. The region around Bundi is known for its many step wells, which were once the only source of water for the region, and you will see some of these on a visit to Bundi.
