Attractions at Bundi- Raniji Ki Baori

The day Brat 2 and I reached Bundi we managed to venture out only after the Royal Palace was closed. So the locals recommended us to go to Raniji Ki Baori (Queen's Step Well). They also told us we should take an auto. I am aware that the locals tend to think that we city people cannot walk. So we asked about the distance. When they said 2 KM or so, we decided to walk.

The Information Board outside Raniji Ki Baori, Bundi, Rajasthan

Rani Nathawat is credited for building of this step well in 1699. And it is indeed grand. Brat 2 remarked to me- "I am sure the Raniji would not walk from palace to the bath, and I wonder how many people were needed to carry her palki (palanquin)?" I wonder where are the other 49 wells located?

Steps Leading out of the Raniji Ki Baori, Bundi, Rajasthan

When we reached there the first day the main entrance was closed. But looking at the picture above I am wondering if we could have just walked a few meters and entered through this gate? Doesn't look like it can be locked.

The View from the Main Entrance, Raniji Ki Baori, Bundi, Rajasthan

The view of the place while we were entering was quite striking. But we reached here by 2.00 pm or so, and the sun was so hot that we were longing quite badly for our AC room.

Raniji Ki Baori

But that didn't stop us from clicking pictures. The real baori (stepwell) is beneath this ornate structure but locked now, so we could not climb down. There are grills around this place so clicked this picture by getting the lens of the point and shoot camera inside one of the mesh holes.