Location
Kumbhalgarh fort in just 90 KM from Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Nearest airport is Udaipur which is also well connected by road and rail from all cities of India. We can stay in Udaipur and one day we can reserve for trip to Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh fort and Ranakpur temple to return by 9 PM to Udaipur same day. It is 107 KM from Mount Abu. As such there is no bus service to Kumbhalgarh. Nearest Bus stop is Nathdwara, 35 KM. Nearest Rail station is Rani, 35 KM.
Opening time
It opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM. Entry fee is Rs.40.
Our itinerary in Udaipur
We hired a RTDC taxi for 2nd day trip to Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh fort and Ranakpur temple. We missed Nathdwara temple as same day we can not cover it.
Where to stay in Udaipur
We booked online for RTDC hotel Kajri. You can book online at link- RTDC hotel booking. This is an average hotel and principally I stay in government run hotels even if they are average. Restaurant is good, Breakfast is complimentary always – poori bhaji, aloo-paratha, phoha, bread pakoda etc. South dishes are not available here.
About Kumbhalgarh Fort
Attributed to Rana Kumbha, this fort was built between 1443-1458 AD under supervision of architect Mandan. It is believed that this fort was built over remains of earlier structures associated with Jain prince Samprati of 2nd Century BC.
The fort is defended by a series of bastions at regular intervals – Arret Pol, Halla Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ram Pol, Vijay Pol. The top of fort is approached by Bhairav Pol, Nimboo Pol and Pagda Pol.
Kumbhalgarh Palace complex comprising of three magnificent structures Badal Mahal (also called Fateh Prakash), Kumbha mahal and birth place of Rana Pratap.
The vast structures spread and scattered in across fort speak of his greatness and love for architecture. Though now it has lost its shine yet remnants loudly glorify his past.
Unfortunately there is no description of any of the buildings of Kumbha Mahal.
Between Kumbha mahal and Badal Mahal is another two floor building whose ground floor is a shrine dedicated to shrine of Nava Durga. In front is Bhojan Shala or rasoighar built by Rana Prakash probably. Just near this is birthplace of Rana Pratap, a few meters from Badal Mahal. It is a double storyed edifice
having a small chamber, verandah and open courtyard on lower level whereas a square domed roof chamber with enclosed open courtyard in front of upper floor.
Close to Kumbha Mahal is Badal Mahal. Badal Mahal was built by Rana Fateh Singh (1884-1930). Standing on the highest point of Kumbhalgarh and facing East the Badal Mahal is double storyed palace and is in 2 parts – Zenana Mahal and Mardana Mahal with several set of large and small rooms. The walls and ceiling of rooms of upper floor are painted with floral designs while lower half of walls of ground floor has depiction of fighting scenes.
View of Kumbhalgarh fort from Badal Mahal
Religious structures
I wonder to notice that half of Kumbhalgarh fort is occupied by religious shrines of Jains and Hindus. It is said that there were about 70 shrines in Kumbhalgarh and all were build during Rana Kumbha time. Even the great Ranankpur Jain temple was constructed by a Jain merchant under patronage of Rana Kumbha. Due to undulating rocky surface most of the temples are standing on high jagati and few of them have wall encircling them.
Ganesh Temple – Situated on left of ram Pol this temple was built by Rana Kumbha.
Charbhuja temple – Dedicated to four armed Goddess, this temple is just on hill slope on right side of Ganesh temple.
The shikhara is adorned with many miniature shrines all round.
Vedi temple complex – It is on right side of Ram pol.
A Yajna was conducted by Rana Kumbha after completion of fort in 1457AD. The complex comprises of Yajna vedi, square chhatri and triple shrine. This is one of the most imposing structures in Kumbhalgarh. It also has an image of 6 armed Lord Vishnu seated on Bird Garuna. A square chhatri is there meant to offer sacrifice at the time of yajna.
Neelkanth Mahadev temple – This was built by Rana Kumbha in 1498AD.It is rectangular in plan and seven domed roof and 26 giant pillars. As per inscription it was renovated by Rana Sanga. A Nandi and image of Lord Ganesh are other sculptures in this temple.
Parshwanath temple –
Epilogue
Thanks to ASI department that we can NOT identify about 80% of buildings in this fort. The information is poorly shared. The fort was like a puzzle presented to visitor by ASI. Disappointingly there is no description for Kumbha Mahal, Suraj Devri, Tedda bari, Bandh etc. Even visitors can not easily identify Maharana Pratap birthplace building for which they have come from so far. No proper idea is there how far is Prithviraj ki Chhatri, Bavan Devri, Langan Devri.
The whole fort is like a puzzle to break. Thanks to ASI department.
Visits: 70