The
old city of Bundi, preserved exceptionally well, somewhat forgotten at the
bottom of the Rajasthan, the variation of the usual circuits, however deserves
amply a visit. It is a picturesque very animated city located at the foot
of a fortress and a princely, remarkable palate for its marvellous murals
of the 18 2nd century, single in the Rajasthan.
Bundi kept an authentic charm with the medieval perfume. The site by itself holds the attention: immense and old palate, fixed on the side of a mountain, dominates the old city at the often painted houses of light blue, as in Jodhpur.
The visit of the palate is especially focused on a house, Chitra Shala, continuation of parts open on a court surrounded by galleries. One admires there, the word is not too strong, of superb mural frescos painted to the 18 2nd century, whose colors turquoise green are one enchantement. Mythological scenes are represented there (gesture of Krishna various gods) as well as scenes of court and hunting.
Restorations of quality, undertaken in 2002, made it possible to save the frescos which threatened of the water infiltrations.
After a turn in the old city and his picturesque and animated bazaar where one can stroll a long moment, one visits:
The
well of the queen (Rani ki Baori) of Gujarati style, with its long series
of steps going down up to the level from water
The cenotaph (chhattri) with the 84 pillars, built to the 18 2nd century, with the unusual and interesting aspect, but whose decorations of low-reliefs remain summary.
Area
On the road of Bundi with Chittorgarh, one will not forget two remarkable visits:
Bijolia
Bijolia
or Bijolian (district of Bhilwara) is to 49 km of Bundi. On the plate, in
the vicinity immediate of the degraded strengthened walls of this small agglomeration,
remain three temples (formerly, there would have been a hundred of it) of
the 12 2nd century. Preserved well, these temples constitute the occasion
to appreciate the elegant typical architecture of the old temples of the north
of India.
Most significant of the temples is dedicated to Shiva Mahâkâla. With the entry, under the porch significant and original statue of Ganesh upright holding a chain, a hatchet and a mud with ablutions (kamandalu) ritual.
Behind the temple, a basin, Mandakini Kund, precedes a second temple, whose cella shelters a well curiously. A lingam would be immersed there. It is the temple of Udayeshvara. Rare Vinâyakî (female form of Ganesh) is engraved in low-relief on an external wall.
A third temple is on the right first. It offers a series of interesting statues: Shiva Nâtarâja, Brahmâ, wildest Châmundâ, of Mâtrikâ and, in the interior sanctuary, Shivalingam with the thousand faces (Sahasrarshivalingam).
Menal
Menal is to approximately 17 km after Bijolia towards Chittorgarh. One stops the car on the roadside and one goes to foot on the site (approximately 300m). The entry of the enclosure of the temples is kept by a significant strengthened door on two floors. On both sides of the entry, Ganesh, on the right Bhairava are on the left.
In
a fort beautiful natural site, vertiginous a 120 m height cascade, with grondement
impressive for the period of monsoon, precipitates in the covered abrupt throats
of vegetation of the Menal river.
On the plate in overhang, rises a superb temple of Shiva perfectly well preserved, built at the 12 2nd century.
In front of the entry, throne a statue of Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva. Vast a mandapa of entry, to the pillars decorated with carved consoles, gives access to the interior sanctuary, unfortunately desacralized and invaded by the bat. Its door of access is made of two groups of three very gracious statues.
On the external walls, a flowering of statues of a common style not very. Many the female shapes of the Goddess: Bhairavî, Châmundâ, etc and of the nymphs.
With the lower circumference, above a plank of funny elephants, one discovers many very raw erotic scenes: bestiality, sodomy, exhibition, etc...
On will shikhara, and with the top of the porch of entry, a lion symbolizes the power of nature. Between its legs is held a squatted elephant that the lion controlled.
In a side chapel of the close temple a very beautiful relief of Devî remains, the Large Goddess.