Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh is a name that people know well. An erstwhile fortified township, Kumbhalgarh is a prominent and must-visit place in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. This fortified township is known for the fort of Kumbhalgarh that was the royal residence of the Mewar rulers. This fort was constructed in the 15th century during the reign of Rana Kumbha. Kumbhalgarh Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Kumbhalgarh has an elevation of 3,600 feet above the sea level. It is located in the beautiful hillocks of Aravali. Due to its location, a major portion of its land is a jagged terrain. The climate of Kumbhalgarh is defined as arid in nature. The summers are searing as the median mercury levels scale between 32°C-41°C. During winters, the temperatures fall down below 22°C and provide a relief to all Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Kumbhalgarh Tourism is renowned for the alluring fortress that overlooks the whole town. This fortress stands on a 300-feet high hillock. After climbing atop the fortress, one can see the panoramic view of the Aravali Hills. There are Hindu temples inside the fortress that are devoted to Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the five hill forts of Rajasthan that were declared the UNESCO world heritage site in 2013. Situated in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, around 82 kilometres from Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh Fort has the second largest wall (38km) after the great wall of China. Constructed on the foothills of Aravalli ranges, it is surrounded by thirteen hill peaks of the ranges and is perched at an elevation of 1,914 m. The magnificent fort is situated in the middle of a forest which has been turned into a wildlife sanctuary. It is the second-largest and the most important Mewar fort of Rajasthan after Chittorgarh Tour Packages.
Under the reign of Mewar kings in Rajasthan, the majestic fort was built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century between AD 1443 and 1458 under the direction of Mandan who was a very renowned architect of that time. The fort was constructed in the exact same place where an old castle existed which was attributed to Samprati who was a Jaina prince of the second century BC. Named after the King Kumbha, the Kumbhalgarh fort was cleverly designed on a hilltop to provide the strategic position to the Mewar kings to protect them against the attacks of the enemy.
The fort is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, one of the most powerful kings of Mewar. Also, Badal Mahal was constructed inside the fort by Rana Fateh Singh, who was one of the most famous builders of the time. Badal Mahal, Kumbha Palace, Jain Temples, Baoris, Chhattris, water reservoirs and Brahmanical are some of the main buildings inside the spectacular fort Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Covering a total surface area of 578 sq km and stretching across the Aravalli ranges, it encircles parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, and Pali. The wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and is also named after the fort. This hilly dense forest of Kumbhalgarh will definitely prove to be a pleasant surprise for those who consider Rajasthan a desert state. The green tract of the park forms a dividing line between the two different parts of Rajasthan; Mewar and Marwar.
The area where the Sanctuary is located was once a royal hunting ground and was converted into what it is today in the year 1971. Another charm of the sanctuary is the diverse topography that it boasts of. The eastern part is lined by the Aravalli ranges that looms over an altitude of 3,748 ft. River Banas also graces the sanctuary and is the primary source of water Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary is famous for its 40 strong wolf pack, that is rarely found elsewhere. Apart from the wolf it also houses the various variety of endangered and rare animal species and almost 200 different species of birds. The monsoon in the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary brings on the beautiful flora, and the autumn brings out russet colours. The sanctuary also offers provision for other activities such as jeep safari, horseback safari and trekking. Many Garasia and Bhils tribals can also be seen here, living in their traditional huts. The natural beauty of the sanctuary attracts tourists from far and wide.
Rana Kumbha Palace
The Kumbha Palace was established by the founder of Kumbhalgarh fort – Rana Kumbha itself. This part of the fort is one of the older parts and currently, is in ruins. The only functional part of this palace is its Kuldevi temple with the Akhand Deep. This temple was highly revered by the Mewar family and it is believed that none of them left the fort without seeking the blessings of their clan deity – Durga mata Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
My visit to this temple was a little chilling. While exploring the ruins, I saw a few shoes left outside and religiously removed mine to go have a peep. Dark as it was, I saw one candlelight and then, something moved and beckoned me in Hindi to come in. Goosebumps erupted! But nothing to worry about, for it was an old lady, possibly the priestess in the temple room. I was a little shaken as my eyes had still not adjusted to the dark and a voice in the dark totally unnerved me.
It was the Priestess who finally explained the significance of this temple in Kumbha Mahal to me. She also, pointed to an oil lamp – the Akhand Deep that has been kept burning for the last 700 years.
The rest of the ruins consist of large halls, a kitchen area, little tunnels and small terraces. Seemed to me that these ruins were possibly homes of the help here or the kitchens for the palace Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Badal Mahal
If you want to watch the beauty of Rajasthan and Kumbhalgarh, you should visit Badal Mahal. Badal Mahal is situated within the Kumbhalgarh fort. Over the years, the place has been attracting numerous visitors considering its beauty.
Badal Mahal gives you an insight into the complete breath-taking views of Rajasthan. Apart from the surrounding natural beauty, the visitors are likely to be astounded by colorful murals. The ventilation and airy space of Badal Mahal contributes to its name of the Palace of Clouds Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Badal Mahal is situated at a very good height, which is why it has this name. It also stands for The Palace of Clouds. Following the old traditions, Badal Mahal has two different sections, like Mardana and Zanana. Therefore, one section caters to the needs of women, while the other is for ken. This will play an important role in sheltering the royal clan.
Individuals wishing to see the true beauty of Badal Mahal need to pay fees. The opening hours are similar to the general schedule from 9 am to 5 pm Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple
If you want to explore the beauty of South Indian architecture in North India, you should visit Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple in Kumbhalgarh. This temple was built back in the year 1458. Following the regular structure of South Indian temples, the Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple has a sanctum, open mandapa, and pillars Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
All the pillars of the Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple have encryptions on them. The temple is situated very close to the Kumbhalgarh fort. Therefore, if you’re visiting the fort, you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity of visiting the Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple. Every Kumbhalgarh sightseeing tour comprises Neelkanth Mahadeo Temple.
Parshuram Temple
Apart from historical and natural beauty, it would help if you considered visiting the holy places in Kumbhalgarh. Situated in a cave is the Parshuram Temple. It is said that in this case, Rishi Parshuram used to meditate. If you take a short trip to Kumbhalgarh, you should make it a point to visit the Parshuram temple.
The main God in this temple is Lord Shiva. Furthermore, it also has shrines of Lord Ganesh. There are around nine holy ponds. It is said that none of these ponds dry. However, to visit the Parshuram Temple, you need to climb about 500 steps every day Top 6 Places To Visit In Kumbhalgarh.
