Rajasthan’s prominent castle of Kumbhalgarh is an architectural masterpiece of the 15th century. The grand fortress is located in the middle of the dense forest that has been transformed into a Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2013, the fort was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Rajasthan. The grand fortress was named after a royal king Rana Kumbha, who was the ruler of Mewar from the Sisodia Rajput Family. The fort was impressively settled on a hilltop to provide a tactical spot to the Mewar King to protect his kingdom against the attack. At a height of 1900 meters, the fort provides a breathtaking view of the Aravalli Hills. It is one of the best places to visit in the 5 Days Udaipur Tour Package that makes it an ideal getaway destination.
Here’s all that you need to know about Rajasthan’s opulent fortress – Kumbhalgarh Fort. This includes history, architecture, timings, places of attractions, Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary, Light and Sound Show, and more.
Admire the Architecture –
Beautifully placed on a hilltop 3600 ft. (1100m) above sea level on the Aravalli Range, Kumbhalgarh Fort is encircled by a 36-kilometer long wall with fortified gateways. The Kumbhalgarh Fort wall is the Second longest Wall in the World after the Great Wall of China. Ram Pol or Ram Gate is the main gate to enter the fort, besides Aaret Pol, Hanuman Pol, and Halla Poll are some other gates within the fortress. It is an enormous 15th-century fort having several structures created in its premise, including Hindu and Jain Temples. Worship the sacred place dedicated to Lord Shiva having a huge Shivalinga. The hilly location of the fort offers serene views of the surroundings like dunes, forests, mountains, and more.
Glorifying History the Fort reveals –
Dated back to almost 15 years, Kumbhalgarh Fort was constructed under the supervision of the renowned architect Mandan. The Mewar rulers would use this place for safety during the invasion by rivals. This marvelous structure was built under the reign of Rana Kumbha of Mewar. The fort was attacked by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 and later by Mahmud Khilji at different times but he could not win the fort. The next attack was done by the combined forces of Raja Uday Singh of Marwar, Emperor Akbar, Mirzas of Gujarat, and Raja Man Singh of Amer. Reveal more of its majestic past by planning a holiday excursion of Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh Taxi.
Places of attraction in the fort –
Kumbha Palace – Settle next to the Pagda Pol, The Kumbha Palace illustrates the fine Rajput architecture of the bygone era. It is a two-storey palace along with a gorgeous blue darbar hall. The hallway divides the zanana (women’s) palace from the mardana (men’s) palace inside the structure.
Ganesh Temple – Constructed under the reign of Maharana Kumbha, the Ganesh Temple is on the way leading to the palaces inside the fort. It was the earliest of all temples constructed within the fort and is a major attraction for Hindu Pilgrims.
Bawan Devi Temple – A holy shrine inside the fort derives its name from the bawan or 52 shrines in a single complex. Out of 52, the two big ones are situated in the centre. The remnants of the temples are smaller in size and are built all around the external wall.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple – Dated back to 1458 AD, the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is uniquely designed and has an open pillared mandap all around, a sanctum, and a Shivalinga in the Garbhagriha.
Badal Mahal – One of the highest points of the architecture of Kumbhalgarh Fort was constructed by Rana Fateh Singh in 1885-1930. The palace is adorned with attractive friezes and wall paintings showcasing the 19th-century style.
Vedi Temple – The Vedi Temple is a three-story octagonal Jain Temple. It was constructed on a high platform that is accessible through a flight of steps. It has 36 pillars to support the domical ceiling.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary – Sprawling across 610.528 kilometers, the sanctuary is surrounded by four hills and mountain ranges of Aravalli. Enjoying jungle safari here will let you see many flora and fauna species like Sloth Bear, Jungle Fowl, Indian Leopard, Striped Hyenas, etc. It is the most important tourist attraction to see near the fort on Rajasthan Classic Tour is Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
Evening Light and Sound Show – Attend the light and sound show in Kumbhalgarh Fort to get more information about its rich history and heritage. This show perfectly narrates and displays the history of this grand castle.
Essential Travel Information –
Entry Fees – For Indians Rs 10/- and For Foreigners Rs 100/-
Timing – 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (open all days of the week)
Best time to visit – October to February
How to plan a perfect trip to Kumbhalgarh?
Kumbhalgarh is a perfect travel getaway from Udaipur which is located at just 85 kilometers of distance. If you are someone planning a holiday escape in Rajasthan and would like to pay a visit to Kumbhalgarh, then Rajasthan Cultural Tour Package is the best travel itinerary to follow. Along with discovering the enormous Kumbhalgarh Fort and Wildlife Sanctuary, you can enjoy a wonderful tour of some other popular tourist cities in Rajasthan. It is a 12 days tour that takes you through Jaipur, Samode, Mandawa, Nawalgarh, Bikaner, Gajner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Kumbhalgarh, Chittorgarh, and Bundi. Visiting the fortress will let you enjoy your mind-blowing holiday escape from your daily routine.
Kumbhalgarh Fort portrays the royal lifestyle of the royal rulers and is associated with many such tales and stories of courage and sacrifices. It is one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan where you can also visit on a weekend getaway by Jaipur to Kumbhalgarh Taxi. So, take a step back into the past by revealing the historic tales by planning a joyful journey to Kumbhalgarh with family, friends, or life partners as a romantic escape.