Kumbalgarh

The Mewar fortress of Kumbalgarh is a major fortified citadel in Rajasthan, India. Built in the XV century during the reign of Maharana Kumbha, it resisted all efforts by successive Mogul emperors to conquer it. Entrance to the fortress is possible through sever heavily fortified doors and it contains hundreds of temples, palaces and living quarters. It was last used in the XIX century.

Maharana Kumbha was the grand father of the Legendary Rajput King and Warrior Maharana Pratap of Mewar.The people living in this particular area are known or called as Mewaras. The fort is built on top of one of the highest peaks of the Aravalli Range. It is about 3400 feet high. The fort wall extends 36 km and encloses the Kumbalgarh Wildlife sancutuary within its reach. The wall comes second in the world after the Great Wall of China, it is a this fact that very less people know about it..

It is possible to view the sand dunes belonging to the Thar desert from the top of the fort. According to popular folklore, Maharana Kumbha used to burn massive lamps that consumed 50KGs of Ghee and 100KGs of cotton to provide light for the farmers who worked during the nights in the valley.

Kumbalgarh is situated 82 km from Udaipur and is easily accessible by road.

There are many luxury hotels situated enroute to the fort. Most notable is Hotel Aodhi, owned and maintained by the HRH Group of hotels.On the main road towards these hotels there is a newly constructed PRIMARY HEALTH CENTER especially made for the odd 65 types of adivasis in this area, named after MR.MANGILAL LALCHAND JAIN who made and donated this HOSPITAL to the RAJASTHAN GOVERNMENT.He is a native of this area from a small village known as BHANPURA.

Source

* "Rajasthan" (Paris: Gallimard, 1999), p.260