I travelled to Bundi when I was around 11 years old. My Tauji (Father's elder brother) was posted here in a school as a teacher. As he had to do his duties at school, he freed me to walk around on my own (he tried to fix it up with some knowns there but I refused).
I roamed in the city and reached the palace called "Garh". I was disappointed when I saw a big lock there.
( see , this is open now )
It was closed . I tried to find some "chor raste" (hidden entry) as I was highly motivated due to my recent exploration of Jaipur's Amber fort with my another uncle (we got lost there and tried hard and came out in 2 hours so it was like a victory).
I found a dark entrance. I stepped in a few meters, I guess. But it was too dark. I didn't have courage and turned back. I went down, purchased a match box and came back with with it. And I succeeded to reach in a room at the end of the passage and then suddenly I saw so many Bats hanging from the roof and then they tried to get out, may be due to the disturbance that I caused. I also ran out along with them and dropped my idea to explore further.
( the "Chor rasta" I tried 30 years ago)
Then I saw another fort above this place on the mountain and there was proper way going there. but I could see no person there. So as a child I was little hesitant to go up . Then I saw somebody far away from me also climbing on the trail. I got my ignition and run towards him. After all I could also venture in the fort . I caught up with him very soon. He was a tourist from Australia and I think he told me that he is some sort of cleaner or carpenter. At that moment, I was so surprised that how can a person doing so small a job can have money to travel to a foreign land (I had just appeared for my of 8th standard exams back then. I know a lot now. :) ) .
We both entered the Fort and I was running towards the open ground and there was a small pond there. I loved water, but on seeing a group of monkeys there, turned back and found my 15 minute aged local guardian was not along with me. He also had entered along with me but he turned back and was now looking at the giant lock of the entrance (Huge gate of fort, that usually has a small door for daily use. One that we entered through).
I took this picture today. It was the same like 30 years ago. Some thing do change, some things never change. (dialogue from Matrix).
I learned that it's always a good practice to keep looking back when you are visiting any place. He roamed here and there and I was also running this wall to that wall with caution (playing with caution). Whenever I saw monkeys around, I got closer to my new tourist friend (Ha ha ha).
Soon I finished with all that was available in the fort to see but my friend was hanging so much there and it was getting dark too. I had to reach my uncle' rented house. I also feared getting lost in dark (it was a new place to me and mind it that it was no mobile phone age). So I had to say good bye to him and I started climb down from the fort .
When I was climbing down I got some glimpse of the palace from the top, as the trail was higher than the palace. I decided to give one more try to enter the place.
(This is the palace I finally got to visit. But the original looks that I had on my mind have been ruined by repairing, as I clearly remember the original look of the palace in my memory).
Next day I enquired around that how I can see the palace. People told me it's closed and opens only for movie shootings or some festivals .
I don't remember what I actually asked to people but I do remember the answer and it was that "the keys for the fort are in "Rawala (another royal place, but smaller in size)".
I do remember the next question I asked- "How can I get there?".
"Go down to the main street and ask anybody", the man answered.
"How any body can give me direction by just saying only name "Rawala". Give me some proper address", I enquired and was assured that every body knows where it is.
With suspicious mind I came to main Street and asked people. I was happy that everybody knew the place and able to direct me towards there. I vaguely remember that few people also asked me why I want to go to "Rawala". Now you already know what I must have answered and how amused the people were.
I did eventually reach there with all my 2-3 hours journey but when I reached there, they said the keys are not here and these are with some other people. I was really disappointed and turned back as it was again, I guess, getting dark
Now I am thankful that they didn't break my heart by saying no. They treated me as a child and gave me a good excuse only.
I am laughing it out now. What was I asking for? The key of the palace to open it and see it.:)
This all came to my mind when I enter this city after around 30 years and I am happily surprised that this city kept most of the down town building it it's original form, the thing I guess most of the Indian cities have lost.
Day 2
I visited the palace which I missed to see 30 years ago . One more wish fulfilled, is it destiny?
I went to the fort on top of the hill. It is called Taragarh fort .
I am still afraid of monkeys but don't let other people know. A lot of visitors were there .
I sat on the fort wall for some time and got spiritual .
One must visit this place on the way to fort, that is "Chitrshala". The place with paintings, more women were pictured drinking and smoking than man.
I don't want to click and post more pictures here. One has to go and watch or forget about it
Pic 1
Pic 2
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