Kumbhalgarh : A World Heritage Fort

The Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan hold many a treasure, and Kumbhalgarh Fort is one such prominent gem. Built during the 15th Century by Rana Kumbha, it is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap Singh. It is now a World Heritage Site. It also has an over 32 km long wall, making it perhaps the world’s second longest wall (after the Great Wall Of China).

During one of our Rajasthan road trips we had stopped by Kumbhalgarh to have a quick look and meet a friend. We wanted to try the Walk The Wall Challenge but couldn’t because of lack of time. The fort is surrounded by the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. With wild life including wolfs, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, sambhars, nilgais, chausinghas (the four horned antelope), chinkaras and hares, we really wanted to spend more time here, but perhaps on the next trip.

Built at an altitute of 1100 metres above sea level, Kumbhalgarh Fort is very pleasant and breezy at the top. It’s some 82 km from Udaipur. Like most of Rajasthan, the best time to visit is winters, staring around late October till about March. The Rajasthan Tourism Department runs an Annual Kumbhalgarh Festival in the month of March. A search will reveal plenty of stay options.

 

Kumbhalgarh Fort
There is centuries of history at this place and one can only sit and wonder what all must have transpired here.

Kumbhalgarh Fort
Climbing up the fort is not too strenuous.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The main palace is situated at the very top.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Winding paths and surrounding walls make the fort difficult to penetrate.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
View from somewhere on the way top the top. One can see the Great Wall of Kumbhalgarh, considered the second longest in the world.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
A beatifully made fort, like most of Rajasthan’s Forts, Kumbhalgarh has over 360 temples inside it.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The courtyard at the top. It’s a pity that the original decoration is not there any more, but it must have been grand in its time. It still is.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
A beautiful view of the hills and the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary from one of the palace windows.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Another view from the palace windows.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The courtyard as framed by the traditional Rajasthani Arches.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Traditional Rajasthani Domes at the top.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The wall fortifying Kumbhalgarh Fort.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The view of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary from the absolute top of the fort.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
There are beautiful frames everywhere here.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Inside the Kumbhalgarh Fort.

[box type=”success” width=”100%” ]How to reach: Kumbhalgarh is some 80km from Udaipur which is well connected by road, air and rail. From Jaipur, the distance is about 340km.

Where to stay: A simple search will show up plenty of stay options in Kumbhalgarh.

What to do: Visit the fort, spend some good time inside it. You should be done in half a day. You could hike the walls, and do visit the wildlife sanctuary around it. It’s an excellent place for birding. [/box]

21 thoughts on “Kumbhalgarh : A World Heritage Fort”

  1. i still regret nit visiting during my visit to Udaipur Chittor and Sreenathji. The more I read about it, the more i feel like experiencing this majestic fort myself and your post just added to that feeling. Lovely Post 🙂

    Reply
    • Vaisakhi, you must make another trip for the fort. Though now only the walls and structure remain, the environment is so gorgeous.

      Reply
  2. It looks like you visited the fort on a perfect day as the blue skies really made this place look even more majestic. I haven’t been to Rajasthan, but there are so many things to see in India. Maybe I will visit the state on my second, third, or even fourth visit to the country. 🙂

    Reply
  3. I haven’t been there, but the views from the top of the Fort look great. A wonderful place to visit. Any more details about birding in Kumbhalgarh sanctuary?

    Reply
  4. Not a much written-about destination, eh?!

    Wow that wall is quite a sight. And it looks like the Kumbhalgarh Fort offers great views too.
    Really good photography there, Param. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kumbhalgarh is a great place to visit and explore here you can do visiting and exploring the cities as it is a good place. Her you can visit the fort along with the Rajasthan. As already all know that Rajasthan is a very rich state in Royal Forts and Palaces. Rajasthan Village Tour Package are the best tour packages to visit here.

    Reply

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