| Rajasthan is where all the countrys similes and
metaphors appear to have come together to create a visual extravaganza.
Majestic palaces and rugged forts, spectacular deserts, wooded hills and
tranquil lakes, bustling towns and quiet villages, amazing flora and fauna
and of course, the colorful and vibrant people of Rajasthan form an intricate
tapestry of mysticism, grandeur and rusticity. Explore this land of the
maharajas and experience the yore of a bygone era in a truly fascinating
style. |
Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur

Located
64 kms north of Udaipur in the wilderness, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important
citadel after Chittourgarh in the Mewar region. Cradled in the Aravali Ranges
the fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Because of its inaccessibility
and hostile topography the fort had remained un-conquered.
It also served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of strife. The fort
also served as refuge to the baby king Udai of Mewar. It is also of sentimental
significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar's legendary King Maharana Partap.
The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything to withstand
a long siege. The fort fell only once that too to the combined armies of Mughal
and of Amber for scarcity of drinking water. Many magnificent palaces an array
of temples built by the Mauryas of which the most picturesque place is the Badal
Mahal or the palace of the clouds.
The fort also offers a superb birds view of the surroundings. The fort's thick
wall stretches some 36 kms and is wide enough to take eight horses abreast.
Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort in the 19th century. The fort's large
compound has very interesting ruins and the walk around it can be very rewarding.
The Kumbhalgarh Fort also has a great significance by being the birthplace of
Maharana Pratap and as the finest examples of defensive fortification in Rajasthan.
The most interesting part is that this fort has a fort within itself.

Named
Kartargarh, the inner fort has a palace built by Maharana Fateh Singh after
he had pulled down the old palace built by Rana Kumbha.
Some remains of the old palace are still there below the new one which includes
the portion that had been occupied by Prithvi Raj. Kartargarh has 365 temples
and shrines including one with a huge Shivlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva. The
sanctuary is famous for it's wildlife which includes- wolf, leopard, jackal
and a variety of birds. The sanctuary is one of the few parks that allows people
on horseback.
Kumbhalgarh Fort - Udaipur, Forts of Rajasthan
Reservation Form
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Rohet Fort, Near Jodhpur
Luni Fort, Near Jodhpur
Bila Quila Fort, Alwar
Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
Jaisalmer
Fort, Jaisalmer Taragarh
or The Star Fort, Bundi
Fort, Chittourgarh
Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur
Nahargarh Fort, Nahargarh

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