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A Romance called Rajasthan – Part 2
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
Photo credits: Kumbhalgarh temples - kahindoor.com; Kumbhalgarh temples - astrolika.com
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.
Photo Credits: Mewar - eternalmewarblog.com; Marwar - india-tours.com
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. MaharanaPratap 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 To read more of IpsitaGanguli's writings please log into www.ipsitaganguli.com
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
Photo credits: Kumbhalgarh temples - kahindoor.com; Kumbhalgarh temples - astrolika.com
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.
Photo Credits: Mewar - eternalmewarblog.com; Marwar - india-tours.com
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. MaharanaPratap 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 To read more of IpsitaGanguli's writings please log into www.ipsitaganguli.com
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