Taragarh Fort, Bundi

Taragarh, the 'Star Fort', sits high on a steep hillside above Bundi, its battlements melting into the wild scrub and rock so completely that from a distance it looks grown rather than built. Reaching it means a stiff, atmospheric climb up cobbled paths often shared with troops of langur monkeys, but the reward at the top is one of the great views in the Hadoti region: the tightly packed blue houses of old Bundi, the shimmering Nawal Sagar lake, and the desert plains rolling away to the horizon.

Inside the crumbling ramparts you will find the enormous Bhim Burj bastion, once home to a giant cannon called Garbh Gunjam, along with old cannon emplacements, secret tunnels and huge rock-cut water tanks that supplied the garrison during long sieges. Much of the fort is delightfully unrestored and overgrown, which only adds to its haunting, time-forgotten atmosphere.

For travellers looking for offbeat Bundi tourist places and dramatic photo spots, Taragarh is unmissable. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and go early in the day before the heat builds. It is easily one of the most rewarding day trips from Kota for anyone who loves history and ruined forts.

History of Taragarh Fort, Bundi

Taragarh Fort was begun around 1354 CE by Rao Deva Hada, the founder of the Bundi kingdom, and expanded by successive Hada Chauhan rulers over the following centuries. For generations it served as the principal stronghold of the Hadoti country, its position on the ridge making it almost impregnable to attackers.

The fort's great reservoirs, carved from solid rock, allowed the defenders to withstand prolonged sieges, and its bastions bristled with heavy cannon. Over time the royal family shifted their residence downhill to the more comfortable Garh Palace, and Taragarh gradually fell into the romantic ruin visitors see today.

Highlights

• Bhim Burj bastion and old cannon sites
• Rock-cut reservoirs and secret tunnels
• Panoramic views of Bundi town and Nawal Sagar
• Atmospheric unrestored ruins
• Resident langur monkeys along the climb