The Queen’s Stepwell of Bundi – Raniji ki Baori

Raniji ki Baori is a 17th century marvel build on the orders of Queen Nathavati, wife of a famous King of Bundi, Anirudh Singh. And this is where the stepwell got its name “Raniji ki Baori”.

Raniji ki Baori Structure

Raniji ki Baori is a three storey stepwell and has two fantastic well-arched gates with great artwork done on the pillars and statues of Elephants made up of white marble (not too white) on the top of all columns. The last (3rd) gate of the stepwell is a beautiful one as it has the sculptures of elephants on all corner and it’s a delight to watch.

The entrance of the baori is on the 2nd floor, as the local authority has closed the entry from the 1st (or ground floor). Might be to stop pigeons entering the stepwell as they have made of mess of almost every stepwell of India. I saw that at Chand Baori in Abhaneri, the rooms were stinking of pigeon shit. At Bundi, they (local authority) have completely covered the baori with an iron sheet, (more like a transparent one) which is a smart move to keep the site clean.

So when I entered the stepwell from the 2nd floor, this is the view which I got:

Statues of elephants on the pillars

I noted that on both walls of the stepwell, there is temple type wall crafted statues of Hindu gods. Which indicates that either this baori was a temple where locals use to come for praying, or it was only for the royal family as the statues of gods aren’t that big to plan a big religious ceremony.

Wall crafted Temples at Raniji ki baori

Next, I moved to the 3rd floor which has this beautiful arch gate and such an amazing artwork on it, that even Taj Mahal seem second to it. If you are a lover of Indian architecture, then Bundi is a heaven for you because of sites like Raniji ki baori and Garh Palace. Have a look at the pictures of the 3rd floor.

Craftsmanship at Raniji ki Baori

And with this, I have seen two beautiful tourist attractions of Bundi. One being this and anther one is Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri or 84 Pillared Cenotaph.

Quick facts about Raniji ki Baori

• Opening time of Raniji ki Baori is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and its closed on Sundays.
• Entry ticket is INR 50 for one and INR 75 for two. For foreign travelers, it’s INR 350 for two and INR 200 for one.
• For students is INR 5 (Indian) and INR 20 (foreigner)
• It’s an ASI protected and maintained site, so don’t try to do something fishy (damaging), you can get arrested :)
• Landmark near Raniji ki Baori is a police station just across the road and head office of Bundi Municipal Corporate which is just next to it.
• Finally, instead of buying a ticket to see Raniji ki Baori for INR 50 (for one) buy a combo ticket of INR 75 where you can visit this, 84 Pillared Cenotaph and Sukh Mahal.

And a final view from the bottom of the Baori.