Kumbhalgarh
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| Languages: |
Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi |
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Cradled in a cluster of 13 mountain peaks of the Aravalli ranges, the formidable medieval citadel - Kumbhalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past. Rising from a prominent ridge, 1914 meters high from the sea level, the fort was built in by Maharana Kumbha (1419-63 AD) and is the principal fortification after Chittorgarh lying 90-kms north-west of Udaipur.
The massive fort, encompassed by a 36-km long wall, has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts, one within the other. Rounded bastions and soaring watchtowers strengthen the crenallated walls of the fort making it an impregnable structure.
Fascinating chambers are built on the western side of the last gate - the 'Nimboo Pol'. According to history, the infant Udai Singh was smuggled from Bundi and hidden in these chambers by his faithful maid Panna Dai to save him from the murderous intentions of his uncles who desired the throne.
Udai Singh ascended the throne of Mewar with Kumbhalgarh as his residence and later established Udaipur - the beautiful Lake City.
Within the fort are many magnificent palaces and an array of ruined temples.
The most picturesque of the palaces is the 'Badal Mahal 'or the palace of the cloud. The palace has got its name for being the highest of all the structures. It offers a superb bird's eye view of the countryside surrounding the fort as well as of other ruins within the fort.
The ancient ruins of the temples within the fort date back to the Mauryan period built during the reign of the grandson of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka who belonged to the Jain community. Most of the ruins in Kumbhalgarh are of the Jain temples of various periods.
As one moves to the East, Kali Temple and the Namadev Kund with royal 'Chhatris' can be seen. Another noteworthy temple, a little further; enshrines a fine black marble 'lingam'. The 'mandap' or the hall of the temple has beautiful pillars, finely fluted and having a tapering shape. |
