KUMBHALGARH FORT Location : 84 km from Udaipur in Rajasthan, India. Built In : 15th Century AD. Popular As : The second most important fort after Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan When To Visit : October-March

Kumbhalgarh Fort Illuminated at Night

Amber Fort Hawa Mahal Jaigarh Fort

Junagarh Fort Jaisalmer Fort

Mehrangarh Fort Nahargarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort - An Outpost of Civilisation

You cannot take the worldly matters along your way to heaven, but you can build citadels which will be admired eternally. Majestic forts with staunch pillars and secret alleys; which used to shield the forts earlier from invaders, now caress the secrets buried within. Even if people forget you, even if your name vanishes in the cumbrous covers of history books , still, centuries after you will hear sonance of children playing hide and seek in the voluminous courtyards, beside those rugged alleys. Still centuries after trotters will turn up to see your magnificent creations, they will touch the reminiscent walls and vicariously experience the royalty and grandeur that you might have cherished.

Set amidst an array of thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravali range in Mewar, the impregnable medieval castle of Kumbhalgarh stands as a wary hooligan to the past glory of its kings and princes. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Udaipur, the archaic fort rises like a clenched fist in the face of the sky. Built in the 15th century by maharajah Rana Kumbha, the Kumbhalgarh fort boasts of even more articulation in building structure as compared to its famous counterpart at Chittorgarh. It also has a sentimental significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar's legendary King Maharana Partap.

The Great Wall of India

City Palace - Udaipur Udaipur

Lake Palace Dungarpur

Eklingji Temple Nathdwara

Nested at over 6,233 feet above sea level at the tail end of the Aravalli range, the famous Udaipur Kumbhalgarh fort affords indiscriminate views of the dusty plains of Marwar. Standing on the ramparts of the mighty castle, look down at the gigantic 20 feet thick encircling outer wall which winds over the parched hills for 36 km and is perforated by seven gateways. As an exemplar of splendid masonry, it is alleged as being second only to the Great Wall of China. Where sentries once patrolled, enthusiast tourists now undertake the 2-day trek along the castle's circumference, looking at every corner for hints about the golden era.

Enjoy a vacation in the famous forts of Udaipurin Rajastha where the incessant wind seemed to whisper the legends of Kumbhalgarh, whereas the indefatigable bastions burn in quiescent fury, unable to share their long-hidden enigma. How it was conquered only once and that too because of a deceitful essence of poisoning its water supply. How on another occasion, a young woman was coaxed to show the enemy the way in, by trailing tell-tale petals along a secret path. The plot was foiled and the unfortunate flower selling girl was bricked up alive in the outer wall. One can still see the faint, white painted outline of a women on the wall which verifies the site of the execution.

Peep Into The Regal Restroom

Climb the precipitous stairs and maze through the far-reaching corridors and copious courtyards to reach the eastern corner of the fort, where the regal sanitarium waits for the clack of your footsteps. Hey guys! Wait and have a look at the airy doomed chamber with four squatties arranged in a semi circle so that the maharani can perform her morning ablutions and ease herself of the satiety of courtly burdens in company of her intimates. The most interesting feature of the restroom is its 100 feet aperture, which decanted the excrements straight into the mouth of the pigs.

A Walk on The Clouds

If you want to experience heaven while still being on this planet, pay a visit to Badal Mahal at the famous Kumbhalgarh fort in Udaipur. Built by Rana Fateh Singh in the late 19th century, the rows of inner bastions soars high in the sky. Feel the mist that surrounds your silhouette and the wind that kisses your reflection on the pastel colored walls, while you gaze at the long serpentine lines of the fort walls and distant landscapes. Take a tour of Udaipur to see the major attraction of Kumbhalgarh Fort of Udaipur

Amidst The Wilds

Take a tour of the famous Kumbhalgarh fort to see some of the major attractions of Udaipur. Right beside the Kumbhalgarh fort in the Aravalli domain, spread over an area of 560 sq km, is the Kumbhalgarh sanctuary. Best known for its wolves who roam in herds of upto 40, the reserve is also a dwelling place for rare chowsinghas (four horned antelopes), nilgai, sloth bears, wild boar, sambar (large Asiatic deer), leopards, and jackals.

The bird life at Kumbhalgarh is ineffable. The normally shy and incredible grey jungle fowl and white breasted kingfisher can be spotted here. Peacocks and Doves can be sighted frequently feeding on grains scattered by the jungle guards. The sanctuary is one of the few parks that allows people on horseback.

Rejoicing The Bygone Comfort

In today's modern era, when all royal forts are gradually transformed into heritage hotels, the Kumbhalgarh fort heritage hotel ranks among the best in Rajasthan. What sets it apart from other palace hotels is the fact that a great deal of careful thought and planning has gone into ensuring that it retains the flavor of a grand royal residence - the purpose it was built for - and yet offers every modern amenity, whilst retaining the charisma of a regal and serene palace. Spend atleast one night of your valuable holiday package in this heritage hotel, which will no doubt rich your memory about the royal lifestyles that the maharajahs of Marwar used to cherish.

Get Going

At two-and-a-half hour drive from the famous city of Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh fort can be easily accessed by hiring a private cab or taxi. However, if you want to save some money (and keep it to get yourself some memoirs), get on a State Transport bus that ply regularly from the city bus stand.