Kumbhalgarh

As we left behind the beautiful Udaipur, the sun shone bright and the rolling Aravallis almost beckoned us to explore more.

We arrived at Kumbhalgarh at noon.

Brown and green amidst a forest terrain.

Miles and Miles of Fortress Wall.

Imposing.

Strong.

Beautiful.

Built by Rana Kumbha during the course of the 15th century Kumbhalgarh is the second most important Fort in Rajasthan. Built on a hilltop 3,600 feet above sea level on the Aravalli range, the fort of Kumbhalgarh has perimeter walls that extend 36 km. The frontal walls are fifteen feet thick. Kumbhalgarh has seven fortified gateways. There are over 360 temples within the fort, 300 ancient Jain and the rest Hindu. From the palace top, it is possible to see kilometers into the Aravalli Range. it offers a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Kumbhalgarh also marks the different territories between Mewar and Marwar and was often used as place to escape to whenever there was an attack.

A notable instance was in the case of Prince Udai, the infant king of Mewar who was smuggled here in 1535, when Chittaur was under siege.

It is said that the royal nursemaid Panna Dai concealed Uday Singh in the basket and covered him with fruits and the future Maharana of the Mewar was smuggled out of the reach of Banvir who was plotting an assassination so that he could ascend the throne Panna placed her own sleeping son Chandan, on the bed of Uday Singh. When Banvir came, he unknowingly slew Chandan, thinking that it was Uday Singh sleeping in his bed.



Finally, they arrived at Kumbhalgarh, many kilometres west of Chittor, where the local governor agreed to give the child protection. For a couple of years, Panna Dhai and the young king remained at Kumbhalgarh, where he was passed off as Kiledar’s nephew. However, in 1539 he was discovered and the nobles proclaimed Udai as their Maharana and his coronation was held at Kumbhalgarh. In 1540, backed by a large combined Mewar and Marwar force, Udai Singh, then aged 18 marched on Chittor to reclaim his throne.

Udai Singh later founded the beautiful City of Udaipur.

The fort is also the birthplace of MaharanaPratap, one of the most powerful kings of Mewar.

Maharana Pratap was born on May 9th 1540 His father was MaharanaUdai Singh II and his mother was Rani JeevantKanwar. One of the most famous sons of the Rajputana Maharaja Pratap is remembered for his valour in the Battle of Haldighati against Akbar’s army.

Spectacular in its stature and presence the Fort is marked by Badal Mahal, Kumbha Palace, Jain Temples, baoris, and water reservoirs Surrounding the Fort is a wildlife sanctuary which used to be the hunting ground of the erstwhile kings.



A fascinating place for trekking and sighting wild animals.

The Ascent

Standing there below

The Formidable Fort

I look up

Miles and Miles

Of strength

She

Stands Alone

Singular

And beautiful

In her Fortitude

I start

Climbing up

Step by step by step

The sound of silence

Punctuated by

The sound of my own breath

Seven gates

I cross

Long winding corridors

And steep stairways

Peering out now and then

From once where

Soldiers stood guard

Looking over the hills

For approaching enemies

I climb on…

The Hills breathe around me

And I breathe with them.

Lies

Wars

Love

Births

Ploys

Deceit

Loyalty

These Hills have seen it all

The high drama of Life

Has to be lived

Climb on Soldier

Till you reach

The highest pinnacle

Where the cool breeze

Soothes your Soul

You have come home.

Banner Left: Chittorgarh - culturetrip.com; Banner Center: Kumbhalgarh - udaipurian.com; Banner Right: Chittorgarh – lakshisharath.com

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Kumbhalgarh

As we left behind the beautiful Udaipur, the sun shone bright and the rolling Aravallis almost beckoned us to explore more.

We arrived at Kumbhalgarh at noon.

Brown and green amidst a forest terrain.

Miles and Miles of Fortress Wall.

Imposing.