Bundi or Pushkar?

JanineG

We are debating between going to Bundi or Pushkar during our 2 week time in Rajasthan in November. Other places we are visiting in Rajasthan or en route there: Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur.

We could do one of the following:
Delhi-Bundi by overnight train-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Jaipur-Fat Sikri and Agra-Delhi

OR
Delhi-Ajmer/Pushkar-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Jaipur-Fat Sikri and Agra-Delhi


And do you think we should dedicate one or two days to whichever place we choose? Thanks for your help!

JanineG

Anyone have an opinion? Thanks.

labrol

Toss a coin!
Pushkar for me.

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Matthew Morris

Bundi definitely.

I didn't like Pushkar at all, it's very busy, full of "hippy trail" tourists, hasn't got a very nice atmosphere.

Bundi is more chilled out and relaxed.

I would spend more time in Udaipur, or 2nd choice would be Jasialmer

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JanineG

Thanks for your replies. I had heard that about Pushkar, that it's very touristy. Is 2 days too much for Bundi? Is one day enough? We'll have almost 3 full days in Udaipur after Bundi (or Pushkar). Any other opinions?

Matthew Morris

Well you chould check out Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh within a couple of hours of Udaipur if you find 3 days too much in Udaipur. There is also horsriding in the country close to Udaipur.

It depends what you want from Bundi whether 1 or 2 days is enough..I would imagine 1 day is enough to look around the place. It's quite small.

There is also Chittaurgarh as well, half way between Bundi and Udaipur...haven't been there, it has got a very impressive fort apparently, but not a great place to stay the night from what I've read.

OceanTragic

I've never been to Bundi but I know that it is the answer. Unless of course you like to go to a place that centres around a lake full of JCBs and fake money grabbing priests, with a main road full of stoned tourists and abusive locals. In its defence though we met a nice family and had a chat for 10 minutes, that was the highlight.
I can't imagine 2 days there being too much.
My wife and kids loved the horse riding near Udaipur and I've just been writing in my journal tonight about wishing I stayed overnight near Ranakpur to appreciate the countryside.

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labrol

I love the Ranakpur-Kumbalgarh drive for the low hills, the forests with the 'langurs', the medieaval feel and the ox driven water wheels irrigating the fields in the fertile narrow valleys.

The beauty of Chittaurgarh, apart from its impressive fort and beautifully sculptured temples, is in its stories of valor and chivalry. Insist on hearing the stories of Pannabai, Udai singh, Gora and Badal, Rani Padmini and her Johar......!

About Bundi and Pushkar, it seems I am way off the mark. It has perhaps to do with my timing of visit at the Pushkar fair and my focus of visit...a profusion of color and photo opportunity at that time. Without the fair, it seems from the above posts, it is a lot different.

Brisso

I dislike Pushkar for all the reasons above. Many greedy and cynical traders and lots of insensitive tourists straight off the plane. Why people bother is beyond me.

ananda2193

I agree with the negative things said about Pushkar, but I would still go because it's a really pretty place. The lake surrounded by whitewashed temples and buildings is very picturesque. And the surrounding countryside is breathtaking. There's no other place in India that I saw that looks like Pushkar. And for that reason I would go.
I spent 2 weeks in Bundi years ago and wasn't bored, so 2 days isn't too much. There's lots of interesting things to see around Bundi that will keep you busy for 2 days.

Can't really say which one to choose though as the both very different. Though I must say Bundi looks like any Indian town more or less, but Pushkar like I said above is very unique.

vintech

I am from Rajasthan and will better suggest Pushkar in every regards, Please understand your motto is to visit places and not what the people offer in Pushkar, beutiful places to see aorund Lake Pushkar, good history associated with the place. For Bundi i dont say its a bad place but its more of forts and little better organized because its the district. Puskar is more of a tourist spot and hence the bugging hawkers, but end of the day your experience will be better visiting Pushkar

vintech

Oh sorry i forgot to add, If you want to explore as Labrol said.. you should miss the Ranakpur-Kumbhalgarh low hills drive to Udaipur. Did you know that Ranakpur temples did not get the eligible exposure due to media restrictions else its better than The Taj in Agra.. Its more splendid and trust you will not regret.. The Kumbhalgarh Fort and the sanctury is really the heart of Rajasthan, the roads from Ranakpur to udaipur have been laid very well last year and it will be a smooth pass through the Ghats of Aravali Mountain range.. check this http://wikitravel.org/en/Ranakpur

OceanTragic

I guess from the rest of your post that the you didn't mean the bit quoted above

labrol

It seems it should read as ,'You should NOT miss the Ranakpur-Kumbalgarh drive' and it seems I was not 'way off the mark' in recommending Pushkar even without the camel fair.

I will go again to Pushkar during a quiet time to experience a different vibe. I had loved watching the evening aarti at the ghat and then sitting for hours into the night on the quiet stairs by the lakeside in front of a popular restaurant(I forget the name). The plain white buildings encircling the lake and the all pervading calm stays with me to this day.

JanineG

I think we will go for Pushkar. Thanks so much for all your replies. And we will see Ranakpur and Kem when we hire a driver to go from Udaipur to Jodhpur.