Rajasthan is an avenue of beautiful forts and palaces. It consists of landscapic destinations and ornamental lakes. Not only this, Kumbhalgarh Fort is no ordinary fort in the state. It boasts of the longest wall in the World after the Great Wall of China. This fort is a repertoire of glamorous intricacies and spectacular architecture.
This form is located at a distance of 64 kms from Udaipur in Kelwada tehsil of district Rajsamand of Rajasthan State.
Name derived from Mewar King
The Kumbhalgarh fort was built in 1458 by Maharana Kumbha, a Mewar king, who suggested his name as the name of the fort. Subsequently, King Kumbha was renowned as the creator of Kumbhalgarh fort, whose popularity across the world grew by the day. The fort has been strategically located on the border between two Rajput kingdoms of Udaipur and Jodhpur. Later, Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort in the 19th century.
Encircled by thirteen elevated mountain peaks, Kumbhalgarh fort stands on the site of an ancient citadel which is ascribed to Samprati, a Jaina prince of the second century BC. History says that he built around 300 temples at this place. Later Rana Kumbha, added to this. At present, few of these are left, fewer with idols inside. Covering over 12 sq km, the walls of the fort stretch about 36 km and stands about 1,087m high from the sea level. Located amidst the hills of Aravali, the fort offers a marvelous view of the surrounding areas and sandy dessert of Marwar for miles around.
Undue trouble and setbacks before construction
King Kumbha indulged in a series of consultations with a sage in nexus with the construction of this Kumbhalgarh fort. The king failed to build the fort’s wall for a number of times, which is why he consulted a sage about this problem.
The sage suggested a list of unheard and unnatural ways to ensure that the fort can be constructed successfully. One of the proposition claimed that the king must chop off his head. No! I am not joking. The saint stated that he should stand at a point and chop off his own head. The saint stated that the first entrance will be where his body would fall, while the second entrance would be where his head will. Quite bizarre, though!
Second Longest Wall in the World
Kumbhalgarh has the second longest fort wall in the world, preceded by the Great Wall of China. The perimeter of the fort’s wall is considered as the second longest in the world.
Surrounded by 13 mountain peaks, the fort encloses royal apartments, temples – dedicated to different gods, 252 palaces – great and small, seven massive gates or pol (Arait Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol, Bhairava Pol, Paghra Pol, Top Khana Pol, Nimboo Pol), seven ramparts and huge watch towers, storerooms, houses and water tanks. The wall of fortress is wide enough to take eight horsemen one at a time.
Temples in and around the fort
Inside the fort, there are 364 temples, out of which 300 are Jain temples. There are also a few temples located outside the fort in the vicinity. Even though Rajputs were Hindus but Jainism flourished in this part of India.
Just about 50 kms away, the famous Ranakpur Jain temples is a perfect destination for all pilgrims who arrive in the state to absolve their sins. This temple is dedicated to Adinath. The main temple ‘Chaumukha’ build in 1439 in marble has 29 halls and 1,444 intricately carved supporting pillars.
Other temples like Parshuram Mahadeo Temple (25 kms), Charbuja Temple, Amaj Mata Temple (10kms) and other temples are also located near the fort which promises a bewitching experience.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
This temple is known to have embraced a remarkable 5 feet high Shiv linga. The temple was renovated by Rana Sanga later. This is the most famous temple at Kumbhalgarh Fort.
Vedi Temple
Built by Rana Kumbha, this is a beautiful Jain temple. The temple has as many as thirty-six pillars supporting it’s ceiling.. Constructed on an elevated platform, it is renovated later by Maharana Fateh Singh.
Sought-after fauna abode in vicinity
Kumbhalgarh sanctuary
Rajasthan has a repertoire of ornamental fauna which are as mesmerizing and captivating to witness. At the Kumbhalgarh sanctuary, there are a plethora of wolves, Grey jungle fowl, leopard, sloth bear, four horned antelope, and others. The sanctuary derives its name from the fort’s name and hence it promises to be as adventurous as the fort per se.
