Kumbhalgarh fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort History Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Rana Kumbha under whom the Mewar Kingdom expanded from No one could ever conquer the fort except for one time due to a shortage of drinking water. Maharana Pratap was also born in this palace. The fort was the place of refuge for the rulers of Mewar at times of danger. Once prince Udai was also taken here when Attractions inside Fort Gateways: The fort is entered from the south through a gate known as Aret Pol, followed by gateways known as Halla Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol, and Vijay Pol. The Hanuman Pol is significant as it enshrines an image of Hanuman which was brought by Rana Kumbha from Mandavpur. The palatial complex at the top is approached further through three gateways viz., the Bhairon Pol, the Nimboo Pol, and the Paghra Pol. One more gateway is situated on the east which is known as Danibatta. This gateway connects the Mewar region with Marwar. Ganesh Temple: The Ganesh temple was built during the time of Maharana Kumbha and it is located along the road leading to the palaces. According to one of the inscriptions of Vedi Temple: The Vedi temple was built by Rana Kumbha in AD 1457 for performing rituals after completion of the fort. The building is double storeyed and erected on a high platform. The temple faces west. It is octagonal on plan with thirty-six pillars supporting the domical ceiling. A triple shrined temple dedicated to goddesses is located to the east of this temple. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple: Sit...

Extending from the Aravali mountain range in northwest to Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa region in the southeast, encompassing regions in Gujarat and Rajasthan, lied the majestic kingdom of Mewar, ruled by the Rajputs for many centuries starting from 530 AD. To defend herself over these many centuries, Mewar had an impressive collection of 84 fortresses. The crown jewel amongst these and one of the most massive forts ever built was Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand near Udaipur. Built on the highest hill in Rajasthan, equipped with the second longest fort wall in the world. After the Great Wall of China, this 15 feet wide 36 km long fort wall of Kumbhalgarh has earned the moniker of – The Great Wall of India . Imposing a menacing presence on its surrounding, standing high and mighty at 1100 m (3600 ft) above sea level, this formidable testament to rich Rajput history is a UNESCO World Heritage site under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan . Listed as one of the seven unknown architectural wonders in the world by bbc.com in 2015, this is the second largest fort in India after Chittorgarh Fort that served as the capital of the Mewar kingdom. Kumbhalgarh fort served as a place of refuge for the rulers of Mewar at times of danger, like when their capital Chittorgarh Fort was under siege. ‘Early historians believe that the foundation of the Kumbhalgarh fort was laid long before Rana Kumbha was born, by King Samprati of Maura Age during the 6 th century. However, it’s present day form and thereby ...

Kumbhalgarh Fort is located approximatly 40 Kms from Udaipur City along the Aravalli Ranges The structure is a standing testimony of the tactical brilliance of the Mewar kings and the grandeur of their architecture. A cursory tour of the complex will consume atleast two hours and a detailed inspection will take atleast half a day. The apex of the fort is known as Badal Mahal which is an airy structure from where a panoramic view of the fort and its almost 40 km long rampart is visible. Numerous Jain and Hindu temples dot the complex. These were built by various rulers at different poibts in time. It would be ideal to ascend the fort during the morning hours when the climate is conducive. Do carry a back pack with water bottles and some thing to snack along. Entry is chargeable. There is an eatery within the fort complex but not much variety is available in the menu. However, there are plenty of good restaurents on the way to the fort. A must see site whike in Udaipur. As with any other Rajasthan fort, always recommend to visit with a qualified guide for the fascinating history. Some of the terrains around the fort reminded me of Grand Canyon. You can walk up all the way till the top most point if your legs permit, definitely not recommended for senior citizens. A proper visit will take around 3-4 hours to cover the entire fort. Online tickets are available from the ASI site. Must visit, can't go wrong with this one. But avoid on the crowded weekends as we had to park our c...

You may have heard the stories of great kings, battles, victories, and even defeats. But have you ever heard of the great lands on which history has repeatedly created? No right? Land of significant historical, cultural and traditional importance, India is the nurturer of such places, i.e. monuments, forts, architectural sites of social significance, and much more. Let us take you on a journey of one such hidden gem of India, ‘The Great Wall,’ Kumbhalgarh Fort, and know about its fascinating tales and delve into the lust of this architectural wonder. Kumbhalgarh Fort – The Great Wall of India Kumbhalgarh in the Rajsamand district, near Udaipur, is a stunning citadel and a prominent tourist attraction perched in the foothills of the Aravalli Mountain Range. The fort attracts visitors due to its pure position and architectural magnificence, surrounded by lush forests. Its 36-kilometre-long external wall, after China’s Great Wall, is the world’s second-longest wall. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the category Hill Forts of Rajasthan, occupied until the late 19th century. In the 15 th century, Rana Kumbha established the fort that today is one of the world’s largest fort complexes; and India’s second-largest fort after Chittor Fort. The History The fort’s original name was Machhindrapur. But Sahib Haqim, a historian later named it, Mahore. Earlier, King Samprati of the Maurya Age in the 6 th century is thought to have built the fort because of its strategic importanc...

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a famous Shiva temple and located inside the Kumbhalgarh Fort and next to Vedi Temple Complex. It is an ancient temple and has a six feet high Shivling which is made of stone and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is the reigning deity here. King Rana Kumbha used to worship this deity. Legends say that Rana Kumbha was so tall that when he sat for the offerings of prayer on the floor, his eyes were on the same level of the Shivling. Made a quick visit to view the historical temple. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is the functional temple inside the Kumbhalgarh Fort. It is situated towards right hand once you enter Ram Pol. You have to cross Vedi Temples Complex. This temple is situated on a platform having Nandi Bull facing the Lord Shiva Linga of black colour. Linga is quite high and large in size. The temple was built by Maharana Kumbha in AD 1458. An inscription engraved on the wall dated Vikram Samvat 1521 (AD 1464) refers to renovation of this temple by Rana Sanga. A priest always sits and performs Puja etc. Do not forget to take Prasad from the priest. The Fort view from the temple is amazing. Parsvanatha Temple is situated adjacent to this temple. Among several temples inside the Fort Complex this Temple appears to be the biggest and well maintained where the Shivling (Symbol of Lord Shiva) is still being worshipped. As you climb up the steps, first thing you see is a small White Marble statue of Nandi (The Holy Cow) tat the entrance. Inside the main...

The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the world. And don’t be surprised, India too has a great wall. Though the massive structure in India may not be as expansive as the Great Wall of China, the rampart surrounding the colossal Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is 80km from Udaipur in Rajasthan, is the second longest wall in the world. The citadel is located amidst the wilderness of the Aravalli range and currently part of the Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) gave the tag of World Heritage Site to the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort in 2013. The Kumbhalgarh Fort is the most important fort after Chittor Fort or Chittorgarh Fort, which is the largest fort in India, in Mewar. The Kumbhalgarh Fort, perched atop a hill, played a pivotal role in saving the Mewar Kings from the clutches of enemies during war. The wall of Kumbhalgarh Fort The perimeter wall of the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is situated 1,900m above sea level, is the longest wall after the Great Wall of China in the world. The wall, built of red bricks, extends to a staggering length of 36km and is 15m wide. The rampart is so broad that eight horses can walk side by side on the imposing structure. The Kumbhalgarh wall has shades of the Great Wall of China in its design and structure. It is no wonder that the wall around the Kumbhalgarh Fort is known as the ‘Great Wall of India’. A peep into history Though there are interesting stories relating to ...

History Kumbhalgarh is named after Mewar king Rana Kumbha, who built it from 1443 to 1458. During his reign, the king focused on fort planning and architecture. He and his architect, Mandan, are acclaimed for experimenting with and perfecting medieval Rajput fort design, adding many new innovations. Apparently, Rana Kumbha constructed or restored 32 forts — quite an achievement! This included strengthening the walls of Chittorgarh Fort. It's said that site of Kumbhalgarh Fort was originally settled by a Jain prince, Samprati, in the 2nd century BC. Its isolated and concealed position, atop a lofty hill surrounded by concentric hills and valleys, gave it a commanding view and strategic importance. Previous Mewar rulers were familiar with the site's potential. However, it was Rana Kumbha who harnessed it and meticulously developed it, by taking advantage of the terrain's natural contours. What's particularly ingeniousness about the fort's colossal wall is that it follows the contours instead of a straight path. Unfortunately, Rana Kumbha was killed by his son Udai Singh I in 1468, not long after Kumbhalgarh was built. The fort lost its glory for many decades after that but was revived to play a key role in the Mewar kingdom's history. After Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat besieged Chittorgarh Fort in 1535, the heir to the throne, Udai Singh II, was sent to Kumbhalgarh for safety. He was coronated inside the fort in 1540 and his son, heroic king and warrior Maharana Pratap (gr...