A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh is a beautiful city in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan and it consists of the second most important fort of Mewar Rulers of Rajasthan after Chittorgarh. The city is famous for its vibrant cityscapes, giant fortresses, and is considered as a gem in Rajasthan’s Royal cap. Kumbhalgarh tourismboasts numerous attractions that proudly represents the magical and historical past of the city. The vibrant town is renowned for beautiful mountains, royal palaces and wide array of temples and lot more that attracts thousands of visitors from all corners of the world. And one of the major highlights of Kumbhalgarh tour is the wildlife sanctuaries of offering interesting lion safari tours with rich flora and fauna.
The wall of Kumbhalgarh fort is the second longest wall in the world after the Great Wall of China and hence all of these together make Kumbhalgarh as one of the most popular places to visit in Rajasthan. The royal fort of Kumbhalgarh Tourism is situated at a distance of 64 kms from Udaipur in Rajsamand district and it is easily accessible from the Udaipur City. The magnificent fort was built in 15th century by Rana Kumbha and it is elevated by thirteen mountain peaks, and seven giant gateways that stand in the front of the fort. The largest gate is Ram Pol Gate which is a unique piece of attraction.
And interestingly the fort is also known for its famous palaces that inhabit on the top of structure. This enormous palace is also known as Badal Mahal as it has beautiful rooms with lovely presentable colors which is a great combination of green, turquoise and earthy colors of the fort, and hence this palace gives the appearance of being wandering in the world of clouds. The Badal Mahal also offers incredible panoramic viewsof the A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Interesting Facts About Kumbhalgarh Fort
- It was built by Rana Kumbha in 1458 A.D and is the second largest Fort in India.
- It is one of the 6 Hill Forts in Rajasthan to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
- It is the birthplace of Mewar’s Legendary King Maharana Pratap.
- Maharana Udai Singh the founder of the city Udaipur also found refuge in Kumbhalgarh in his early childhood.
- The main Fort can be reached after crossing seven massive gates.
- It provided refuge for its rulers in times of attack.
History of Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh was built by Rana Kumbha who was the descendent of Sisodia dynasty. It was built in the 15th century but the work of its enlargement continue till the 19th century. When Chittor was under siege, Kumbhalgarh was the place where prince Udai was smuggled in 1535. Kumbhalgarh is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king, and warrior of Mewar.
According to popular folklore, Maharana Kumbha used to burn massive lamps that consumed fifty kilograms of ghee and a hundred kilograms of cotton to provide light for the farmers who worked during the nights in the valley. Occupied until the late 19th century, the fort is now open to the public and is spectacularly lit for a few minutes each evening A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Attractions & Places To Visit And Explore In Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh is a small, quaint, and absolutely stunning Mewar fortress town, located roughly 85 kms from Udaipur. Surrounded by opulent Aravalli hills, this scenic place is visited by tourists from Udaipur, particularly on a day excursion. It’s not only the famous hill fort that makes Kumbhalgarh a place to explore, but also the century-old temples, dense wildlife sanctuaries etc. To make your trip extraordinary, add some of the most popular places to visit in Kumbhalgarh on your itinerary!
Kumbhalgarh Fort:
The gargantuan fortress built under Mewar’s ruler, Rana Kumbha is one of the must-visit places to visit in Kumbhalgarh for architecture aficionados and history buffs. This enormous citadel built to separate Marwar from Mewar, makes for a peaceful getaway outside Udaipur.
Built over more than a decade, this impregnable fort enjoys a strategic position on top of a high ridge between the eleven peaks of the Aravalli ranges. Before you enter, the powerful rounded bastions are sure to catch your eyes alongside the fort’s magnificent ramparts A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
It has 7 fortified getaways and encompasses many Jain and Brahmanical Temples that indicate the rulers’ religious tolerance. When here, you also get to witness the important structures of Kumbha Palace, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, and the Parsvanath Temple built from blocks of sturdy stone.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
Stretching at 578 square kilometers, the Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh and, hence the name. Initially a royal hunting ground, it was converted to a wildlife sanctuary in 1971. Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary is famous for its wolf pack, indigenous to the area. Moreover, it houses different types of endangered species and nearly 200 distinctive species of birds.
The monsoons within the Kumbhalgarh Natural life sanctuary brings on the excellent vegetation, and the harvest time brings out russet colors. The sanctuary moreover offers arrangements for other activities such as jeep safari, horseback safari, and trekking. Numerous Garasia and Bhils tribals can be seen here, living in their conventional huts. The natural magnificence of the sanctuary draws in sightseers from all over the world, A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Badal Mahal:
Badal translates to clouds in Hindi. Anyone who visits Badal Mahal truly understands the name suits this splendid fort. The fort is located at a height that you could feel the clouds floating under your feet. A view of the Badal Mahal gives the impression that the clouds surround the fort. Badal Mahal is essentially a part of the main fort. Architecturally, it has 2 sections-Zanana, a hall for ladies and Mardana, the hall for men A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
The fort is undoubtedly a feast for the photographers. Several tourists come here to capture this true beauty in their frames.
Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple:
Neelkanth Mahadeo temple is a Hindu temple located very near to the fort. Anyone who visits the Kumbhalgarh fort must visit the temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The rustic beauty of the structure will enthrall you without a doubt. Built between the 6th to the 9th century CE by Maharajadhiraja Mathanadeva, a local Pratihara feudatory, the temple holds a lot of meaning for the locals. The locals believe that Lord Shiva would come down to their lands to defeat the unknown devil A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
But it’s just not the old fables and architectural splendor that sets the Neelkanth temple apart, it is the number of sculptures in the temple. There are statues within the temple which almost deserves a poetic appreciation. The skill of the sculpture that exuberates of these statues will leave you spellbound.
Mammadev Temple:
Built-in the year 1460, the Temple of Mammadev is known for its beautiful interiors, intricate sculptures, and architecture. It is one of the remarkable places to visit in Kumbhalgarh because of the cenotaphs erected in memory of Prithviraj Chauhan, and the Kumbhalgarh’s Raja Kumbha.
Four massive blocks within the temple have inscriptions of the Mewar clan’s heritage and history. The Mammadev Temple also has a huge reservoir or “kund” as it is called in the surrounding that makes for a pleasant sight A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Vedi Temple:
Vedi Temple is a revered Jain temple that is presided by Goddess Vedi. It is situated in the premises of Kumbhalgarh Fort in Hanuman Pol. The temple stands on 36 pillars and was built by Rana Kumbha in the honour of the sacrifice of the pilgrims. Later it was renovated by Mharana Fateh Singh. The temple is built in an octagonal shape. These are some places and temples inside the fort which you must visit A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Parshuram Temple:
The resplendent Parshuram Temple is a cave temple located in picturesque Aravalli hills and this is a site that you cannot miss when you go to Kumbhalgarh sightseeing. Legend has it that Parshuram himself built using his ax to cut the rock.
It takes 500 steps to reach the temple and there are nine “kunds” near the temple that never go dry. It has the figures of Lord Shiva and Ganesh, made naturally. Every year, on Saptami and Shravan Shukla Shashti a big fair is hosted here.
Best Time to Visit Kumbhalgarh
Being in a desert region, Kumbhalgarh is normally not visited in the summer season. The summer is hot and arid, and sightseeing in this weather is often not advisable. Young children, pregnant women, senior citizens and those suffering from respiratory and skin allergies would do well to avoid this season altogether.
When it comes to the monsoon season, there are scanty rain showers in this area, and the temperature falls at first. However, after the rain shower has gone and the ground has dried, the humidity increases and you can feel uncomfortably hot. This season is not too conducive weather-wise, but there are less tourist footfalls so you can move about in relative peace. You can easily get hotel and resort bookings, and the tariffs at the best restaurants in A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh
How To Reach Kumbhalgarh
There are three ways to reach Kumbhalgarh, namely:
By Air: Kumbhalgarh does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is at Udaipur, the Dabok Airport. The airport is about 66 km away from Kumbhalgarh. Once you alight here, you can take a cab or have your resort pick you up in a car.
By Road: Kumbhalgarh does not have its own bus stand, with the nearest one being located at Nathdwara 36 km away. You can take a bus to this stand and then look for an autorickshaw or taxi to take you to your hotel or resort. Some people prefer to drive in from Udaipur as well.
By Railway: There is no railway station or rail head at Kumbhalgarh. The nearest rail head is at Rani, about 35 km away. There are weekly trains plying from other cities in Rajasthan to Rani station. Look up an updated Kumbhalgarh tourism guidebook to know the right train and route from your hometown A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit Kumbalgarh
Q. Is Kumbhalgarh worth visiting?
A. The birthplace of magnanimous Maharana Pratap, Kumbhalgarh has some of the most fascinating medieval architecture and is certainly a place worth visiting in Rajasthan. Some of the top tourist attractions which should not be missed include Kumbhalgarh Fort, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Badal Mahal, Mammadev Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Ranakpur, Haldighati, and Rajsamand.
Q. What is famous in Kumbhalgarh?
A. Kumbhalgarh is a renowned tourist site that features stupefying monuments, spectacular palaces, and royal chhatris. The place is primarily famous for its Kumbhalgarh Fort which possesses enchanting beauty. Interestingly, in 2013 the fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Q. What is the distance between Kumbhalgarh and Udaipur?
A. Kumbhalgarh is located at a distance of around 83 km from Udaipur. In order to reach Kumbhalgarh from Udaipur, you can simply hire a private taxi and via Maharana Pratap Marg, you’ll reach your destination in just 2-2.5 hours.
Q. How can one reach Kumbhalgarh?
A. The nearest Domestic Airport from Kumbhalgarh is Udaipur Airport which is around two-hour drive from Kumbhalgarh. Other than this, Falna Railway Station is the nearest station to this place which is situated around 84 km away from it. You can hire a cab either from the airport or from the railway station to reach your final destination.
Q. How many days are enough for Kumbhalgarh?
A. Kumbhalgarh is a small city and it shouldn’t take more than one day to explore all popular sites. From visiting various forts, palaces, and temples, you can visit all and make your vacation a memorable one A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh
Q. What is the best time to visit Kumbhalgarh?
A. If you witness Kumbhalgarh in its complete bliss, it’s recommended to visit during winter months which are from October to March. Whether you want to visit monuments or other tourist spots, you will be able to make the most of your vacation during lovely weather A Complete Guide of Kumbhalgarh.
Q. How can I reach Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary?
A. The wildlife sanctuary is easily accessible to all parts of the city and you can hire a taxi to reach there. If you want to visit Kumbhalgarh, it’s best to merge it with the Kumbhalgarh Fort tour as both the attractions are just 3 km apart.
Q. How far is Mount Abu from Kumbhalgarh?
A. Kumbhalgarh is 107 km away from Mount Abu and it takes around 3 hours to reach there.