It is hard to believe that you are in a desert when you pass through the Aravalli hills, for they are naturally green. The cool breeze that blows along makes you realize what an apt location the Kumbha kings had chosen for their fort.
Kumbhalgarh Fort is a massive fort built on the Aravalli ranges in the state of Rajasthan. The fort is located around 80 km northwest of Udaipur by road, in the district of Rajsamand. It is Rajasthan’s second-largest fort, coming after Chittorgarh Fort. It is one of the famous Hill Forts of Rajasthan and also comes on the list of popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India
The fort is covered by a perimeter wall of length of around 36 km which makes this wall the second longest wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. This wall is also renowned as the Great Wall of India. The fort of Kumbhalgarh is the main dividing line between Mewar and Marwar
Interesting Facts About Kumbalgarh Fort
The fort is constructed on the top of a hill at an elevation of 1100 m above sea level. The long distant ranges of Aravalli and the sand dunes of Thar Desert can be seen from the top of the fort. The fort was built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century and hence the fort got its name from the same, called Kumbhalgarh. It was constructed under the supervision of a great architect, Mandan. It is also the birthplace of the great king of Mewar, Maharana Pratap.
The fort houses more than 350 temples, gardens, water reservoirs, palaces such as Badal Mahal, Kumbha Palace, etc. and makes it a magnificent complex. Of all these palaces, the most famous is Badal Mahal or the Palace of Cloud. It is situated at the highest point of the fort. The palace looks very attractive due to its amazing color combinations and wall paintings. It offers an irresistible panoramic view of Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary, settled in the hills of Aravalli.
Interesting Facts About Kumbalgarh Fort
Udaipur is the nearest airport to Kumbhalgarh. It is around 100 km from Kumbhalgarh. There are plenty of tourist buses and state buses that one can take from Udaipur and Jodhpur. You can opt for a private cab from any of the cities in Rajasthan to Kumbhalgarh.
The closest railway station to Kumbhalgarh is at Falna which is 68 km away. Again, you will have to rely on private cabs or public buses to get to Kumbhalgarh.
Best Time To Visit Kumbalgarh Fort -
Kumbhalgarh fort opens at 9 am in the morning and closes by 6 pm. Post its closing time, at 6:30 pm, you can attend the Kumbalgarh light and sound show. This is a 45-minute show that is worth attending if you have the time. A tour of Kumbhalgarh fort can take anything from 2 hours to 4 hours, depending on your interest.
In terms of the season, the best time to visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort is from October to February. Avoid the summer months as it gets incredibly hot. Monsoons are not very heavy here but the slight overcast can ruin your views here during monsoons.
Travel And Photography Tips -
- There are a few restaurants near the fort, specifically once you enter the fort. They serve full-fledged meals as well as snacks. A small curios shop is attached to the restaurant. I found the shop reasonably priced, though there wasn’t too much variety here.
- Comfortable cotton clothing and flat shoes are recommended as there is plenty to walk around. The path is not really recommended for the handicapped and for families with babies in a pram.
- It tends to get a little chilled in the evening. A light woolen shawl or a light jacket would be handy.
- There are no signposts or guides available at the fort. The entire journey here is a Do-It-Yourself and frankly, I think the thrill of exploring the fort lies in this itself.
- A wide lens and a regular prime lens are recommended to capture the architecture of the Kumbhalgarh fort. If you are headed here for photography, pick early evening for the lovely sunset that you will get from Badal Mahal.
