Bundi Off The Beaten Path

The Sukh Niwas palace is a romantic place to visit ~ quiet and almost forgotten by time. Apparently, Kipling spent time here, drawing on the surroundings for inspiration for his writing.

The front of the palace is decorated with Bundi-style painted figures, the distinctive style became recognizable to me after only a couple of days in the town.

Sukh Niwas Mahal, an 18th-century summer palace overlooking a small lake, is located on the north-east corner of Bundi.

It's within walking distance from the town centre. You can't actually see the palace until you are upon it though, as it is hidden in overgrown trees and gardens, adding to the atmosphere of an already attractive building.

Kshar Bagh is a garden near Bundi (maybe 3 or 4 km from the centre) where the royal centoaphs are found. The gardens themselves are somewhat unkempt and overgrown, which adds to the atmosphere. It's also a less-visited place in a city that is already off the beaten path.

One of the things I first noticed when arriving in Bundi was that there were an enormous number of pigs. Animals in cities and towns are common in India (cows, dogs, goats, even the occasional pig), but this was unusual. Even more unusual was the bare strip down the backs of the older pigs (the babies were untouched). . .

My local guide was able to explain that the pigs are raised and stripped for paintbrushes ~ Bundi is one of the centres of miniature painting in India, specializing in Krishna and palace scenes. It is yet another little detail that makes Bundi such a wonderful place to visit.