Kumbhalgarh Fort Guide – The Great Wall Of India

The name Rajasthan itself brings the image of a striking place well known for its colorful turbans, delectable food, warm people, royal palaces, and grand forts that welcomes you in a royal style everywhere.  The sublime forts of this state are a true symbol of the marvelous past of Rajputs and their kingdom. The walls of the fort itself depict the culture and history. One of them is the majestic Kumbhalgarh Fort which is the best hill fort in Rajasthan.

This crowning glory of Rajasthan was built in the 15th century, Maharana Kumbha was the one who took up the construction of this architectural marvel. The Fort architecture style is based on the Rajput military hill style. An impressive place to visit with friends and family. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kumbhalgarh Fort History

Kumbhalgarh Palace holds a very significant place in the heart of Rajputs. It is the legendary Maharana Pratap’s birthplace and a remarkable place too. Built over a period of 15 years by famous architect of that period, named Madan.

If you carefully observe the palace, you will notice it is perfectly settled between eleven peaks of the Aravalli ranges. Its strategic position atop a high ridge camouflaged by the nearby heights made it one of the major and secure forts of the state.

No one was able to defeat the fort in battle but only once it was captured by the Mughal army by deception. They actually poisoned the forts’ water supply.

Kumbhalgarh Fort Rajasthan entry fees: Rs. 15 for citizens of India and for foreigners, it is Rs. 200.

Kumbhalgarh Fort Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM every day.

Best time to Visit Kumbhalgarh Fort

November to February (winter season) is the best duration to visit the fort. Even July-August months (rainy season) are also good to witness greenery view and also weather becomes pleasant at this time.

Architecture and layout of the fort

India’s very own Great Wall – Kumbhalgarh fort wall is the second longest wall in the world. Kumbhalgarh fort wall length is about 36 kilometers around the border of the fort and with a width of 15-25 feet at other places.

The strong rounded rampart walls gain your attention even before entering the mighty Great Wall of India, towering loftily above. The well-planned architectural characteristics of the fort become the unbeatable bastions of Rajput ascendancy.

Pols are 7 striking gates to guard all possible entries to the Kumbhalgarh fort. You also get to know more about the history when you walk through the spectacular embankment of the fort.

The defensive wall has thin openings that allow archers to aim at the enemy while protecting themselves from the enemy’s counterattack. The ramp inside the fort moves towards the top of the hills and has many sharp turns. It makes it difficult for the enemy’s elephants and horses to move fast.

The impressive fact is that Kumbhalgarh Fort height is about 1100 meters on the Aravalli range.

How to reach Kumbhalgarh Fort

Kumbhalgarh fort from Udaipur – the closest railway station and airport is at Udaipur at a distance of 84 km. Udaipur is well connected with roads and it takes only 2 hours to reach this fort. Kumbhalgarh fort from Delhi via road trip is at a distance of about 11 hours and 18 minutes. It’s better to travel by air and trains to reach quickly.

Must-see places inside the Fort

The fort area comprises various important facts and compositions of things like the Kumbha palace (classic Rajput style) and Badal mahal. More like an astonishing 360+ Brahmanical and Jain temples enhancing the landscape.

The main fort and ramparts which are built using strong stone blocks that survived the harsh time. The temples also have complex and elegantly carved compositions.

The most important and admired temple is the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva. The other interesting temples are the Parsvanath Jain temple, the Bawan Devi temple, the Vedi temple, and the Ganesh temple.

The two other noteworthy points of interest inside the Kumbhalgarh fort are the birthplace of Maharana Pratap called the Jhalia ka Malia.

Best places to stay near Kumbhalgarh Fort

Befitting the royal splendor of the fort, There are some incredible luxury and heritage Kumbhalgarh fort hotels in the area. Some of the best hotels near the fort for a memorable experience are Kumbha Bagh, Aodhi hotels, and Tiger Valley Luxury Resort.

Places to visit near Kumbhalgarh Fort

A highly recommended day trip from Kumbhalgarh fort is to the Ranakpur Jain temples. The temples are adorned with exquisite carvings.

A place called Haldighati can be visited by history enthusiasts, it is the famed battleground of the conflict between Maharana Pratap and Mughal emperor Akbar.

Tips for the Great Wall of India

Fascinating light and sound performance inside the fort at 6:45 PM every evening must not be missed. It shows the history of the fort and tales of the Rajput dynasties of Mewar.

This 45 minutes show will amaze you. It is advisable to carry a torch with you because the fort’s lighting is poor.

Show tickets: Rs. 100 for adults; Rs. 50 for children.

The Kumbhalgarh Festival is celebrated every year in the fort. One of the major and culturally enriching festivals of this region. It comes up with a fascinating live performance by some of the great artists in the country.