KUMBHALGARD

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Kumbhalgarh is situated in Mewar area on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, in the Rajsamand district near Udaipur of Rajasthan state in western India. It was built in 15th century. It’s area is 268 ha (1.03 sq mi) (662 acres). The mighty fort is 3600 ft tall and 38km long. It was built by Rana Kumba. Kumbhalgarh is famous for its magnificent monuments, royal chhatris and glorious places. The Kumbhalgarh Fort with its carved temples and superb artistry is one of the strongest fortresses in the country. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is popular with wildlife birdwatchers. It is the second longest wall in the world and first broadest wall in the world. Fort comes in the top 10 most Haunted places in INDIA . The night view is so dangerous. Fort’s seemingly never-ending walls. If somebody is arriving here a little after sunrise, the buildings of the palace complex glow in the sun. A large gate in the battle-mented walls allows people to enter the fort. Most vehicles are parked just outside this gate. The fort is further declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Having witnessed a large number of wars, the hill serves as the boundary that is unbreakable. The fort that has seven fortified gateways and a number of Jain temples within it , along with the Lakhola Tank which is the most famous tank inside the fort that was constructed by Rana Lakha. This fort has a major tourist attraction .

HISTORY OF KUMBhALGARD FORT
Rana Kumbha constructed the Kumbhalgarh Fort in 1458 AD. It took around fifteen years to compete the construction. The fort was built on the ruins of Jain king Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka. The construction of the fort separated Mewar from Marwar. Rana Kumbha belonged to the Sisodia Rajput clan. Rana Kumbha built 31 more forts to protect his kingdom. It is believed that the original Kumbhalgarh Fort dates back to the 6th century and was built by King Samprati of the Maurya Age. However, due to the lack of any recorded evidence, the history of the fort from its origins till invasion by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 AD remains vague. It was designed by a famous architect of that period, named Mandan. According to local legends, Rana Kumbha faced many difficulties during the construction of the fort that he nearly abandoned it. Then a holy man told him that all these problems would end if a pure-hearted man willingly sacrificed his life for the construction. On hearing this, the king was disappointed and that was when the holy man beheaded himself and sacrificed his life. After that, the king was able to build the fort without any problems. It is believed that the entrance to the fort marks the place where the holy man’s head fell. Kumbhalgarh was used as a safe refuge by the rulers of Mewar at times of threat or danger. It has remained witness to many significant events that have shaped the region’s history like that Maharana Pratap was born in this citadel.

THINGS TO SEE IN THE FORT-

Kumbha Palace, the residence of the king
Badal Mahal, a two-storied structure built by Rana Fateh Singh
Lakhola Tank, constructed by Rana Lakha
Ram Pol, the main gateway to the fort
Aaret Pol, Hanuman Pol, and Halla Pol, other major gateways to the fort
Badshahi Bavdi, a water tank
Hindu temples, including the ancient Ganesha temple and Neel Kanth Mahadeva temple
Jain temples, including the Parsva Natha temple, Golera Jain temple, Mamdeo temple, Mataji temple, Surya Mandir, and Pital Shah Jain temple
Chattris, Baoris, and water reservoirs.

KUMBALGARD LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW –
Every evening, the fort wakes up to a fascinating display and narration of its history through a light and sound show. The Kumbhalgarh light and sound, held in Hindi, is a key attraction for visitors who want a glimpse into the fort’s past.
Duration: 45 mins
Timings: 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm; every day
Tickets: ₹ 100 for Indians; ₹ 200 for foreigners.

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