The Magical Town of Bundi | India
Where we stayed: R.N. Haveli
Highlights: walking around the mazes of streets on the hills
Where we ate/used WIFI: Tom and Jerry’s
Best Chai Tea: Krishna’s
When I asked my friend Liz (who is doing her P.h.D. research in India) for some off-the-beaten path suggestions, she immediately mentioned Bundi. “I just remember loving it.” And as soon as Kate and I arrived, we too fell in love with it. Without a doubt, Bundi is where we had our most sincere interactions with locals.
As I was looking up more detailed information to share with you about this amazing place, I came across another travel blogger’s entry, and it sums up everything I want to share. Here is Wandering Earle’s guest blog post on Y Travel Blog:
“Picture a large desert hill, with a small town nestled into its base, a town with hundreds of narrow lanes creating a maze of homes, shops and temples, most of which are painted a mesmerizing shade of pastel blue (a sign of royalty).
From almost any vantage point, the impressive Bundi Palace looms overhead from it’s location halfway up the hill, representing one of the most well-preserved palaces I’d ever seen in India. Glance even further towards the sky and your eyes will meet the grand Taragarh Fortress, whose ancient outer walls line the entire summit of the hill, encompassing various hilltop shrines that are still used by locals to make daily offerings to the Hindu gods.”
“Bundi’s population, which consists of an interesting mix of Hindus, Muslims and Jains, all of whom live in complete harmony, are clearly proud of the peaceful atmosphere they’ve created. Smiling locals, many of whom extend their hand in greeting to all strangers who pass them by, are the norm and two minutes will rarely pass without a group of children leading you off for a personal tour of their neighborhood.”
The family you see below was so warm and welcomed us into their home and up to their rooftop where I captured some of my favorite photos.
A short 30 minute walk up the hill brings you straight to the fortress, where one can climb onto the top of the fortress wall. From here, the never-ending view is addicting, especially before sun set when the colorful town below appears as majestic as those found in the wildest of fairy-tales.”
