Vedi Temple Kumbhalgarh Udaipur is a famous city of Rajasthan and is popular for its ancient as well as modern structures. One among them is the Vedi Temple, a shrine dedicated to the Goddess Vedi, present within the vicinity of the Kumbhalgarh Fort situated in Hanuman Pol of Rajsamand district. The UNESCO world heritage is a great attraction to all, as one gets to enjoy the majestic architecture of the fort and also pay respects to the pilgrim sacrifice site built within the Vedi Temple. The shrine is elevated on a high platform and faces the west Kumbhalgarh Tour Packages.
As history provides, the temple was made to perform sacred rituals followed by the Jain community. In terms of structure, it stands atop 36 pillars forming an octagonal shape pattern. The double storied temple is open to all and engulfs you into an envelope of positivity and goodness. Besides this temple. It is recognized, protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. There are more temples built at the foothills of the fort.
History Of The Vedi Temple Kumbhalgarh
The Vedi Temple Kumbhalgarh for most parts remains an enigma. Not much information is available about its history. A board inside the temple complex simply says, “Vedi Complex.” However, what is known is that the Vedi temple was built by the Mewar King, Rana Kumbha, who is also credited with the construction of the Kumbhalgarh Fort and many other forts and temples in Rajasthan including the famed Ranakpur Jain Temple.
After the completion of the Kumbhalgarh Fort, the Vedi temple was built for conducting different Vedic and religious rites and rituals. These rites were to celebrate the completion of the fort and to invoke the blessings of deities on the auspicious occasion.
The Vedi temple is in good condition and has a special aura that haunts you as you leave its precincts, and turn back for another look. As you ascend to the top of the Kumbhalgarh Fort, you are treated to a bird’s eye view of the Vedi temple and its structures.
Architecture Of The Vedi Temple Kumbhalgarh
The Vedi Temple Kumbhalgarh consists of three structures that are aligned in a straight line. These stand on a raised platform and are bounded by a wall on three sides, the fort wall itself serves as a wall on the fourth side.
The first of these structures that face westwards towards the entrance, is a three-storeyed structure (including ground floor) that is supported by 36 pillars and is crowned by a dome. This structure has an octagonal shape.
Right behind this domed structure, towards the east is a small cenotaph or Chhatri. This is a small structure supported by four pillars and topped by a dome. This structure is dwarfed by the two other structures that stand in front and behind it.
The third structure within the Vedi Temple Kumbhalgarh is a triple temple built in the Nagara style of architecture. There is the main temple in alignment with the two structures in front of it. This temple is flanked on either side by connected temples. There is an Ardha Mandapa or entrance porch followed by a Mandapa or Hall, that leads to the Garagriha of the main temple.
All three temples have Shikharas made up of Urushringas or subsidiary shikharas that crown the Garbarihas. At the top of the Shikharas can be seen the Amalaka and the Kalasha. These are standard features of the Nagara style of architecture.
There is no separate raised platform for Parikrama for the temple, as probably the entire Vedi complex was considered as a single temple complex and built on a raised platform or Jagati, with enough space on all sides for circumambulation or Parikrama.
The ceiling of the temples are embellished with friezes of swans and the brackets are adorned with different deities. It is believed that the Vedi temple was used for various religious rituals that were performed here to mark the completion of the construction of the Kumbhalgarh Fort in the year 1457 A.D.
How To Reach Vedi Temple, Kumbhalgarh
By Road: Vedi Temple is located in the Rajsamand district in the Kumbhalgarh Fort and 101 km from Udaipur. One can easily reach here by bus or taxi.
By Rail: Vedi Temple is well connected through nearest Falna and Rani Railway station to major cities railway stations like Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad.
By Air: Vedi Temple can be reached through nearest Udaipur Airport which is well connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Jaipur.