Kumbhalgarh

A timeless saga in stone

I have been to Kumbhalgarh twice (once in 2009 and again 12 years later), such it its allure. Nestled in the Aravallis, It is easily India's best preserved and most spectacular fortress and has withstood the ravages of time rather well. Built by Maharana Kumbha, it is also the birthplace of one of India's greatest heroes, Maharana Pratap.

A enduring view of Rana Kumbha's palace palace within the fort.

Kumbhalgarh Fort has the longest contiguous wall in India. The length of the wall is 36 km and mostly well preserved.

The towering turret at the Ram Pol (entrance gate) to Kumbhalgarh Fort

The wall is also broad enough to accommodate an 8 horse chariot. This served well in its defence.

Interestingly, the design of the wall is one of the key reasons why this fort was never captured or fell to enemy forces.

A bird's view of the wall from atop the palace.

A view of the inaccessible walls from below. The steep climb, structure/ shape and solidity of the walls kept intruders out. It was impossible to scale with traditional ladders.

The ample ramparts on the fort walls with arrow slits.

Kumbhalgarh Fort boasts more that a hundred temples. While not all of them are in shape, the huge area does house a large number and a snapshot from the palace (the highest point in the fort), gives us a good idea.

The temple landscape from atop the Kumbhalgarh Fort palace

A closer view of one of the many temples dotting the fort landscape

We weren't able to do an evening visit in 2021. However we were fortunate to see Kumbhalgarh fort in the evening light in 'electric splendour' in 2009. Some shots below.