Bundi To Chittorgarh

While traveling from Bundi to Chitorgarh, you will find several attractions that hold a special place in the heritages of Rajasthan. Don't miss out on them if you are really on a lookout of historical treasures of the state.

Menal:
At a distance of 48 km from Bundi, lies a town called Menal, named after a deep gorge or maha nal on which the Menal Palace lies. The place was once a summer retreat for the Chauhan king Prithviraj Chauhan, where he built many palaces that are today in a dilapidated and plundered state.

The main attraction of Menal are a collection of ruined Hindu temples belonging to the Gupta period, specially a Shiva temple which even today holds remnants of pillars, pagodas and sculptures of Hindu Gods that once used to beautify the temple. You can also find inscriptions on the stone temple walls, belonging to the period when the town was founded.

Mandalgarh:
The historic town of Mandalgarh is situated to the west of Menal. As a part of Maharana Pratap's kingdom, the town was gifted with several forts that represent the Rajput glory. The Mandalgarh Fort, built by Rana Kumbha, is the third fort of Mewar. This fort spans to half a mile and stands proudly with high citadels and strong ramparts, showcasing the protective nature of the fort. The fort also houses few temples, devoted to Hindu Lords, the most prominent one being the Jaleshwar Temple.

Bijolia:
16 km from Menal, on the Bundi-Chittaurgarh Road in Bhilwara, is the town of Bijolia, which is famous for Hindu temples belonging to the Chauhan dynasty. Though only ruins of these temple are left today, due to the massive destruction caused by the Britishers, their structure and interiors seem to still narrate the beliefs and faiths of the bygone days.

Some of the temples that still hold importance are Hajareswara Mahadev Temple, Mahakala Temple, Bajinath Temple and Undeshwar Mahadeva Temple, among others. An erstwhile centre of art in the Chauhan period, Bijolia also remained a prominent pilgrimage destination for several years.

Bassi:
Bassi is a town famous for its 16th century Bassi Fort and the Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is situated at a distance of 25 km to the northeast of Chittorgarh. Visiting the city fort will give you a unique experience of the royal life with its period ambiance and antique decor. You can also enjoy a stay here as it is now converted into a heritage hotel. This fort is a fine creation of the Sisodia dynasty king Thakur Jaimal.

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary has a varied variety of conserved flora and fauna. You can find Panthers , Antelopes, Chitals, Jackals, Wild Boars and many other wildlife species including reptiles and avi fauna too. Don't forget to visit the Bassi and Orai Dams within the sanctuary, as you can enjoy here recreational activities like boating, camping and bird-watching.

Nagri:
If you are curious to know about the Gupta and Maurya period, then you should definitely visit Nagri, which is situated 7 km from Bassi on the Chittorgarh road is Nagri. Erstwhile Madhyamika, it remained an important town of the Mauryan dynasty in Rajasthan. The precious Hindu and Buddhist excavations from here, including copper coins and sculptures, still serve as relevant links from the Mauryan to the Gupta period. These are preserved in the museums of Chittorgarh and Udaipur.

Sleeping & Eating:
Accommodation won't be a problem around Bassi, as here you will get a couple of top end hotels that offer comfortable rooms and services. These include the Bassi Fort Palace which is a lavish hotel within the 450 year old fort and Castle Bijaipur that has luxurious rooms and large courtyards.

Getting There & Away:
Buses are available at frequent intervals from Chittorgarh to Bassi, via Nagri, which will take you around 30 minutes and cost you Rs 10 approx. You can also hire a jeep or a taxi which will be more convenient and will cost you around Rs 300. Buses are also available from Chittaurgarh to Bihaipur, which will take around 1 ½ hours and cost you around Rs 15.