A Citadel in the Wilderness |
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| Scenic view of Kumbalgarh fort |
Next time (or indeed the first time) you are holidaying in Rajasthan do not forget to add this serene and beautiful fort-town to your itinerary.
Kumbalgarh stands 90 KMs north-west of Udaipur and is best known for its magnificent fort. A two-hour drive from Udaipur gets you there. It was almost inaccessible in its time-as it was meant to be- but is now easily reachable by road from most cities of Rajasthan.
Model Bastion
Kumbalgarh is an exemplary instance of impregnable defence architecture. Strategically situated in the Aravalli range of mountains, Kumbalgarh fort is 3500 ft above sea level and was built in 15th century A.D. by Maharana Kumbha of Mewar. And Maharana Kumbha certainly knew how to build a fort.
The massive fort, encircled by a snaky 36 Km long wall, has seven great gates and seven ramparts, each within the other. Rounded bastions and soaring watch towers strengthen the walls of the fort making it an impenetrable structure that effectively discouraged attackers in the medieval period and which now attract discerning tourists. The fort is wide enough to take eight horses going abreast or two large trucks side by side.
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| Temples at the fort |
The fort has huge walls that secure a complex housing its own palaces, water sources, fields, granaries and warrior dwellings and was evidently built to withstand a long siege . The fort has some magnificent temples mainly Jain ones- inside the ramparts dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Notable temples ruins include the Kali, Mamadev Kund and the black marble Shivlingam. Of the palaces inside the fort. the Badal Mahal or the Palace of the Clouds is an awesome sight.
Of the 84 fortresses defending Mewar, 32 were designed and built by Rana Kumbha. Of these, Kumbalgarh with its 36-kilometer long wall and imposing towers is easily the most spectacular, though it only ranks on par with the better-known Chittaurgarh as a military fortification.
Replete with history
Kumbalgarh, a fact file
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| Kumbalgarh fort |
Kumbalgarh, a refuge for Mewar's rulers in times of strife, has been taken only once in its history of 600 years.
The ancient ruins of the temples within the fort date back to the Mauryan period built during the reign of the grandson of the Mauryan Emperor Ahoka who was a Jain.
The infant Udai Singh is said to have been smuggled from Bundi by his faithful maid Pauna Dai and hidden inside the fort to save him from his uncles who were after the throne. It is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap.
It was here that Udai Singh ascended the throne of Mewar with Kumbalgarh as his residence and later established Udaipur the beautiful lake city.
Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort in the
19th century.
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| View of fort ruins |
Kumbalgarh (are 12 sq.km) has a tropical climate like any other place in North India. Mercury climbs to a maximum of around 42°C in the summer. Winters are pleasant with the maximum temperature hovering around 25°C and minimum temperature of around 11°C. Kumbalgarh receives an annual total rainfall of 88 centimeters. The best time to visit Kumbalgarh is between October and March.
Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
A rugged track takes you to the 586 sq.km. Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The main attractions here are the panther, sloth bear, wild boar, four-horned antelope and the Crocodile Farm. You can stay overnight at The Crocodile Farm guesthouse that belongs to the Forest Department. You will see jungle berries, fruits and nuts, water grasses, flamingoes, cranes, spoonbills, storks, cormorants, purple heron, egrets, duck, and rose pelican in winter.
For the birdwatcher the winged species includes the partridge, crow pheasants, jungle warblers, golden orioles, gray jungle fowl, peacocks, parrots, pigeons, and doves besides animals like wolves and foxes.
Kumbalgarh - Places to visit nearby
Ranakpur Jain Temples
Ghanerao
Parshuram temple
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