Rajasthan is the land of forts and palaces and it is one of the most common things to visit them in Rajasthan. However, all the forts and palaces that you will get to visit in Rajasthan are very different from each other. Moreover they also hold different histories with them as well. And so the history along with the architectural details and the location of these forts makes them interesting locations to visit in Rajasthan. Do not ever think that all these forts would be similar. And one such important fort that is a must visit in Rajasthan is the Kumbhalgarh Fort. The Kumbhalgarh Fort in Udaipur is one of the major sightseeing locations in the city. What makes it even more interesting as a location is that it is also one of the hill forts that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site as well.
Furthermore the fort is one of the important locations to visit because this fort has the second largest wall after the Great Wall of China and that itself makes it unique as a location. Located on top of a hill the Kumbhalgarh Fort is surrounded by hills and is located on the foothills of the Aravalli range. From the location to the history attached as well as the magnificent construction, everything about this fort makes it one of the must visit forts in Udaipur. Keep on reading this article as here I will mention each and everything that you need to know about the Kumbhalgarh Fort. I will mention where is Kumbhalgarh Fort, timings, and also things that you would get to see there. This will be a helpful article for you if you are planning a trip to this fort in Udaipur any time soon.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Location: Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan
Timings: Kumbhalgarh Fort timings are from 9 am to 6 pm on all days of the week.
Entry fee: The entry fee to the fort is Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners.
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the Kumbhalgarh Fort is the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur. From the Udaipur airport the distance of the fort is 97.6 km. It would approximately take you around 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach the fort from the airport. You can take buses that are available from the airport. However buses will stop at around 50 km away from the fort. From there you will have to take a taxi or hire a cab to reach the fort. Or else you can directly take a car or take a cab from the airport to reach this fort in Udaipur.
By train
If you are travelling by train then the nearest railway station to reach the fort is the Falna Railway Station. From there the distance of the fort is about 66 km away. It would take you around 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach the fort from Falna railway station. You can easily take a car or take a cab to reach the fort from the railway station easily.
By road
The Rajasthan State Buses are available from different locations to reach the Kumbhalgarh Fort. However after a certain point the only way to reach the location is via taxi or a cab. So technically the most convenient way to reach the location would be to take a car or else hire a cab and reach the destination of the fort conveniently.
By trekking
Trekking is also yet another major attraction of this location. The Youth Hostels Association of India organizes a trek every year. The trek is 5 days and 4 nights long and the charge is around Rs. 3000. The journey covers a total of 40.5 km and includes the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary along with Kumbhalgarh Fort. It can be a thrilling experience to enjoy here. So if you are an adventure lover then do try this activity to enjoy a different experience.
Overview of Kumbhalgarh Fort
The Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the most prominent forms of Rajasthan and is one of the major sightseeing spots as well. This architectural marvel grabs the attention of the visitors for multiple reasons. The construction of the fort goes back to the 15th century and it is located amidst forest. However the whole area is currently a wildlife sanctuary. Also in 2013 the site was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Rajsamand district, this fort has the second largest wall after the famous Great Wall of China. The Kumbhalgarh Fort wall length is 38 km and this makes this one of the most popular locations to visit in Rajasthan. The fort is furthermore on top of a hill at an elevation of 1914 meters. It is also the second largest and the most powerful fort of Rajasthan as well just after the Chittorgarh Fort.
The fort is an architectural masterpiece and houses multiple attractions inside its premises. Also the history of this fort is something that makes it so important as it has seen the change of powers. From witnessing births to death the fort holds a lot of importance in the history of Rajasthan. So when you are visiting there make sure you are definitely visiting the Kumbhalgarh Fort.
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Kumbhalgarh Fort History
There is a striking story and a history attached to the Kumbhalgarh Fort. According to the story Rana Kumbha began the construction of the fort but he was facing a lot of difficulties coming his way. Yet he decided that he would not give up. One day he met a holy man and he advised the king to not give up on the construction. He also said that one day all his problems will get solved but for that he needs to do something. He said that the king will have to find a man with a pure heart who will be ready to sacrifice his life willingly.
But the king got disappointed after hearing this. It was then that the holy man willingly offered his own life to the king. He also told the king that he should make the entrance of the fort where he will be beheaded. Also he asked the king to make palaces at all the places where his body would fall. Rana Kumbha therefore followed all his advice and exactly did everything as was told to him. And therefore Rana Kumbha succeeded in constructing this majestic fort.
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What’s more?
After the construction this fort marked the territories between Marwar and Mewar. Also this fort was mainly the escape place which they used during attacks. The founder of Udaipur City, Prince Udai also ruled this fort and the fort however remained unconquerable for a long period of time. It is the same fort where Maharana Pratap was born as well. In 1457 Ahmed Shah I tried to attack the fort but it was a futile effort.
The locals however believed that due to the presence of Banamata deity inside the fort that protected the fort from attacks. However later during 1458-59 and 1467 Mohammad Khilji attempted to attack the fort. But in 1576 finally Shahbaz Khan the general of Akbar got the control of the Kumbhalgarh Fort. Later the Marathas took control of the fort. And after that the British took over the Kumbhalgarh Fort. But after the independence of India, Udaipur State got back the control of this fort again. Currently it is a popular sightseeing spot and is one of the prominent heritage hotels as well. So if you wish you can even stay at the Kumbhalgarh Fort Resort to enjoy the whole vibe of this location.
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Architecture of Kumbhalgarh Fort
The architecture of the Kumbhalgarh Fort is undoubtedly one of the major attractions of this location. The fort is constructed on top of a hill at 3600 feet above sea level. A 38 km long wall surrounds the fort and the wall is the second longest wall after the Great Wall of China. The main entrance of the fort is called the Ram Pol or Ram Gate. Furthermore there are some other gates here as well like the Hanuman Pol, Aaret Pol, Halla Pol etc.
A lot of Jain temples and Hindu temples are also located inside the fort here. There is a spot dedicated to Shiva Linga also. Because of the location of this fort the main idea of building the fort was to build it as a military architecture. And it offers a beautiful view of the dunes in Thar Desert as well. There is a ramp at the fort that leads to the hills above.
You will witness sharp turns at the fort and the design has been made keeping in mind outside attacks. Also the structure is complex for the rivals to pass along with horses or elephants. Another important structure here is the Badshahi Bavdi which is a step tank. It was built when Shahbaz Khan attacked India in 1578. Other major structures within the fort complex are Ganesha Temple, Vedi Temple, Bawan Devi Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Kumbha Palace, Badal Mahal. You can also visit the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary that is located only 3 km away from the fort.
Light and Sound Show at Kumbhalgarh Fort
The Light and Sound Show here is one of the major attractions of this location. The timings of the show is from 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm. It is a 45 minutes long show that depicts the story of Rajput Royals. The ticket price is Rs. 100 for Indians and Rs. 250 for Foreigners.
Wrapping Up!
So that was all about the Kumbhalgarh Fort and now you can plan a trip to this location as soon as you can. For a lot of reasons this fort is one of the must visit forts in Rajasthan. So you must plan a trip to this fort and witness the structure yourself to understand its significance. A visit to this fort will give you a great insight about the Rajput Royals and the history of the location as well. So when are you planning a trip to the Kumbhalgarh Fort. And let me know if this article on Kumbhalgarh Fort is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
