84 Pillared Cenotaph Bundi

The royal capital of India, Rajasthan not only boasts of its beautiful palaces, forts and wonderful places. This is also a land of emotions and relations, and the 84-Pillared Cenotaph in Bundi is one such example to showcase this. Commonly known as Chaurasi Khambon Ki Chhatri, the 84-pillared cenotaph is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Bundi. Located at Devpura at the south of Bundi city on Bundi-Kota road, Rajasthan, the 84-pillared cenotaph was built the year 1683 by Rao Raja Anirudh, the Maharaja of Bundi in the honor of his nurse, Deva, who gave him love and affection when he was a kid. Rao Anirudh was very attached to Deva and loved her a lot, so he had built this structure in her memory. It is also popularly known as Music Maharani's Chhatri. It is also said that one cannot count all the 84 beams or pillars at a time. This wonderful cenotaph is beautifully embellished with carvings of elephants, deer, dancers, and apsaras.

Architecture Of 84-Pillared Cenotaph:

The 84-pillared cenotaph is a two-storeyed structure and is comprises of 84 strong pillars or Chaurasi Khamba. The interiors of the Chhatri are lavishly designed and decorated with elaborated stylish patterns. On the upper level of this monument, 16 pillars are there to support the core cenotaph overpowered by a dome. This cenotaph consists of 4 chhatris placed on 4 sides or corners of the structure. At the lower part of the structure, one can find a large Shiva Linga, which is protected by a remarkably adorned rooftop that stands sturdy with the support of 84 pillars. With the passing time, a part of this elegantly built monument has been damaged. But still, it is a must-see sight in Bundi.

Best Time To Visit Here:

The favorable time to plan a trip to Bundi and 84 Pillared Cenotaph is during winters, i.e. in the months of October to April. Winter days here are very pleasant and the summers are horrifying hot. While in the monsoons, Bundi commonly receives average to heavy rainfall.

Monuments in Bundi

Monuments in Bundi It is popularly believed that Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling penned part of his famous novel ‘Kim’ in Bundi. In fact, so impressed was he by the place, that this is what he wrote about the Bundi palace: ‘Jaipur Palace may be called the Versailles of India … Jodhpur’s House of strife, gray towers on red rock, is the work of giants, but the Palace of Bundi, even in broad daylight, is such a palace as men build for themselves in uneasy dreams – the work of goblins rather than of men.’ Bundi is a magnificent town located around 36 kilometres from Kota. Dotted with palaces and forts, the place has a fairy tale quality about it. Bundi’s charm lies in its location –surrounded by orchards of orange, guava, pomegranate and mango trees, flanked by the Aravalli range and rivers and lined by fields of cotton, barley and wheat. Situated far from the crowds, it is the simple rural folk that lend Bundi its allure. Bundi was once ruled by the Hada Chauhans. Many historians claim that it was once the capital of the great Hadoti Kingdom, which was renowned for its art and sculpture. However, in 1624, Kota separated and became an independent state and this marked the beginning of the downfall of Bundi. Whether that may be, Bundi still retains its charismatic medieval grandeur. And just like Jodhpur and Rajput, the architecture of Bundi also possesses a noticeable bluish hue, designed to keep houses cool during hot summer, in the intricately carved brackets and pillars.