The very name of the Indian state, Rajasthan drive our mind to think of the desert with the sandy dunes, historic villages and their narrow lanes studded with locals wearing turbans and colorful clothes, wide courtyards of Palaces, bustling markets, towering structures of Forts that bidding our “hi” to skies, delectable cuisines and cultural lures.
Every bit of this image is true as the state beckons several awe-inspiring raptures for every traveler. And this post features one of them.
The magnificence of Kumbhalgarh Fort, the imposing structure of it and the legendary gallants related to it…how we could resist ourselves to not pen- down about this wondrous fort of Rajasthan.
History of Kumbhalgarh Fort
The construction of this magnificent fortress of Rajasthan almost took 15 years. And when you see it glowing with pride amidst the peaks of Aravali ranges, even the period of 15 years will appear too short for creation of this architectural masterpiece. The legendary Fort is the birthplace of Rajput Legend, Maharana Pratap.
Surrounded by the peaks for most of its sides, the fort has been one of the impregnable structures of the royal state. It has remained devoid of any conquests except for that by Mughal Army when the water supply of the fort was spooked.
Architectural attractions of Kumbhalgarh Fort
Even with an adequately strategized location, the fort is guarded with seven gateways which are called Pols. The most notable attraction of the Kumbhalgarh Fort is its 36 km long wall that runs around its periphery. The wall is the second largest wall in the world after the “Great Wall of China” and is called the “Great Wall of India” as well since it is the largest in the country. While walking along the wall you can see several tapered openings built for archers and soldiers to make their move while being shielded by this fortified wall simultaneously.
Other than this there are several different Jain Temples numbered up to 360 within the fort complex. While the exteriors of temples are built of sturdy rocks fortifying the structure and withstanding several battles, these temples will lure you with their intricate carvings.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Neelkantha Mahadeva Temple is one of the most significant temples within the fort complex that houses 5 feet high lingam. Baawan Devi temples are also a must-visit attraction as the temple presides 52 shrines.
Apart from these temples, the fort also features three Palaces – Badal Mahl which is at the topmost of the fortress, Kumbha Palace and Jhali Ka Malia which is famed as the birth spot of legendary Maharana Pratap. While Kumbha Palace depicts the brilliance of Rajputana architectural style, the simple yet impressive ambiance of Badal Mahal will also mesmerize every soul. The panoramic view of the iconic fort and the surroundings from the top of Badal Mahal is inexplicable.
Another attraction that interests many visitors is the storage building of several cannons. Nimbu Pol is also one of the highlights of the fort as it witnesses the loyalty of maid Panna Dhai who made the sacrifice of her son by sending him in place of young and to-be-King Maharaja Udai Singh. Her gallants are still popular amongst locals.
Interesting thing about Kumbhalgarh Fort you might not know about:
The very interesting thing and probably most distinctive thing about the fort is the wall that doesn’t follow any straight path but edges instead.
So, after knowing so much, have you planned your visit to Kumbhalgarh with Rajasthan Tour Packages or not? If not, don’t wait up and plan your Rajasthan Trip to explore the mighty KUMBHALGARH FORT