“Rann-beech chaukdi bhar-bharkar, Chetak ban gaya nirala tha; Rana Pratap ke ghode se, pad gaya hawa ka pala tha.”
These words by Shyam Narayan Pandey will echo in your soul as you traverse the Kumbhalgarh Fort- the birthplace of Mewar’s legendary King, Maharana Pratap. Cradled in the Aravalli Ranges, this fort is a semblance of invincibility and hostile topography. So to enjoy a bird’s-eye view accompanied by a walk among fort ruins that instils you with veer rasa, travel from Jaipur to Kumbhalgarh Fort for the maximum utilisation of your office leaves!
A saga of valour set in stone
A Hill Fort of Rajasthan, Kumbhalgarh Fort is believed to be the home of the world’s second-largest wall, first being the Great Wall of China, stretching 36 km in length and whose width is broad enough to keep 8 horses abreast, at a time! This architectural marvel was built in the fifteenth-century AD by Rana Kumbha and is the second most important fort of the Mewar region, after Chittorgarh.
Some of the main structures located inside the fort complex that you can visit are- Badal Mahal, Kumbha Palace and Jain Temple, apart from the baoris (step-wells) and chhatris (cenotaphs). A testament to the indomitable spirit of Rajputs, the grandeur of this fort is unlike any other in the state. Further, you can extend your trip to include the nearby towns, Udaipur and Mount Abu, in your itinerary while you’re here!
Knock Knock
A kaleidoscope of images including grand forts, melodious tunes of Ravanahatha, colourful turbans of men and bright ghagra cholis of women, flash in front of our eyes whenever we think of Rajasthan. So add a majestic fort to this list as you take your camera out for a long drive with you!
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Days: Monday-Saturday
Entry Fee: ₹15 (for Indian Tourists); ₹200 (for foreign tourists)
