Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India

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The following day we got up early, had a quick shower and a cup of tea and left for the Kumbhalgarh fort – a UNESCO heritage site. It was 7 am; the climate was foggy and cold. We drove towards Haldighati, to begin with; then, we would like en Enroute to Kumbhalgarh fort. Haldi Ghati was 48km from Udaipur; thus, we set our maps on the area and started our travel. With us voyage the ghost-grey fog passing over the green patches of Aravalli.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Morning Mist & Sun

We took our first stop near a roadside Dhaba for breakfast, ate Aloo Payaz Kachori along with Chutney, and sipped a hot cup of tea. The local food is delightful, as we attempted Fafda, which was somewhat taken out of hot oil. 

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Onion Kachori & Fafra

After breakfast, we drove towards Haldi Ghati, and the Maharana Pratap museum was just 2km before the pass. We went to the gallery; the sun was moreover up at that point, sparkling brightly. And this museum gives all the data about the Extraordinary Legend Maharana Pratap and the Haldi Ghati war. The gallery was opened in 2003 by retired teacher Mohan Shrimali because of their immense admiration of Maharana Pratap.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Maharana Pratap Museum

We bought the tickets that cost Rs 100 and strolled inside the gallery. We, to begin with, saw a video on Maharana Pratap, who holds a one-of-a-kind position in India’s history. No one can be compared with the mighty Rana, who continuously had his head tall amid numerous life changes. Then around Haldi Ghati, from being the location of a courageous fight to a field of roses. We visited the exhibition hall, & Maharana Pratap National Commemoration was also committed to the soul and courage of the Rajput Ruler. It was built in 1997 by the Government of India prop. Then we drove towards HaldiGhati.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Interior of the museum

Talking around Haldi Ghati, then it is nothing but a renowned worldwide mountain pass within the Aravalli Range slopes. And the pass gets its title from the yellow-coloured soil of the locale (turmeric is called Haldi in Hindi). The mountain pass has gone down the chronicles of history as the War of Haldighati was battled in 1576 between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Raja Man Singh, general of the Mughal head Akbar.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Haldi Ghati

Maharana Pratap battled a courageous fight, but his steadfast horse, Chetak, gave up his life as the Maharana cleared the war zone. Before the Haldi Ghati pass, the Maharana riding Chetak’s cenotaph is constructed and made of white marble columns with a horse’s bronze statue. 

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Chetak Memoria

Another cultivate dedication in Badshah Bagh’s garden was built to pay tribute to all the warriors who died in the battle. Besides the war, Haldighati is known worldwide for its charity rose items and the mud craftsmanship of Molela. After spending some time & clicking a few pictures, we drove towards Kumbhalgarh fort.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Badshahi bagh

It was a 50km drive to Kumbhalgarh fort; the roads were not well kept up. Subsequently, they can anticipate extra time to reach the fortification. Cradled amid a cluster of thirteen mountain crests of the Aravali extend, the impressive medieval citadel of Kumbhalgarh stands as an attentive sentinel to the past wonderfulness. Maharana Kumbha constructed a 15th-century fortification. It rises from a definite edge, 1,914 m over the ocean level and is the central fortification after Chittorgarh.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Kumbhalgarh fort

Upon reaching the Kumbhalgarh fort, I was dumbfounded to see the line of cars. I was frightened by the COVID circumstance. All over the tourist running, I wore a mask, took a bottle of Sanitiser & strolled towards the fort. I booked the tickets online utilising the OR filter code of ASI; at that point, I showed the tickets at the counter and the entryway of the fortification. Kumbhalgarh Fort encompasses an exciting reality: it was conquered by the Mughals once in history with a combined armed force of Delhi, Amber, and Marwar to breach its defence.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Entrance to fort

We met an ASI guide at the door’s entry, who charged us Rs 550 for a 2hrs tour of the fortification. We concurred and commenced the visit. He began the fortification wall extended a few 36 km and is considered the longest and most noteworthy wall after China’s Incredible Wall. Kumbhalgarh is additionally the birthplace of the incredible warrior Maharana Pratap Singh. The magnificence of the fort indeed sees a vast number of wars; the hill serves as the unbreakable boundary.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Wall boundaries

Our guide rattled out a few critical dates related to the fort as we climbed up to the top of the fortification. But the portrayal was punctuated with a few curious stories indicating the places of significance inside the fort. In 1457 AD, he said Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat made a worthless exertion to conquer the fortification. But it was accepted at that point that Banmata’s divinity protected the fortification. Subsequently, in retaliation, Ahmed Shah devastated the lovely temple. 

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
The broken part of Queen Palace

However, there were more worthless attempts in 1458-59 and 1467 by Mahmud Khalji to conquer the fort futilely. But in 1576, due to a water shortage, Kumbhalgarh Fortification went into the hands of foes, and Akbar’s joint took control of the Kumbhalgarh post. But in 1585, Maharana Pratap recovered it, and by 1818 the post was taken over by the Marathas.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
rear view of the fort

The guide affirmed over 360 temples inside the fortification, 300 ancient Jain and the rest Hindu. Also, the Lakhola Tank is the foremost popular tank interior of the fort built by Rana Lakha. Lastly, the Badal Mahal has excellent apartments painted with delicate pastel-coloured murals. All the points will be covered over 2hrs.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
A temple for Homage

He further shared that the wall fell overnight during the fortification development, bringing obstacles to construction. So the Maharana Kumbha approached a hermit(Meher Baba) who completed his severity and lived in peace. He affirmed that Devi is angry and isn’t permitted to complete the fort, as she needs a human sacrifice. The Maharana got worried about how to induce a human sacrifice; the recluse concurred to be one but with a condition.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Interior gates of Forts

The primary condition was where his head fell. The entrance entryway ought to be named after him; the moment his body fell, a temple had to be built- Maharana concurred upon it. That night the hermit began to climb the slope; at a point, he asked Maharana to cut his head which fell at a certain point, where the entryway was built beneath the recluse title, and his head was cremated. Despite the death, the body kept strolling till it reached the hilltop and fell; a little temple was made there. And seeing the temple, I got goosebumps. With this story, we entered the Bhairon Pol, and the guide updated us that the fortification has, in total, seven fortified gateways. Quite! Interesting legend.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Bharion Pol

The guide included another bend as we walked towards the hilltop: the earliest title of the fort was Machhindrapur, whereas Sahib Haqim, a history specialist, entitled it Mahore. The Ruler Samprati of the Maurya Age(grandson of Ashoka), of vital significance amid the 6th century, is believed to build the original fort. But there is no fort’s early history to confirm the fact; however, the ensuing history from 1303 AD till the intrusion of Alauddin Khilji is obscure as the fortification took little time. Damn! History is vast. 

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
The second gate where Canon was hit during the war

Kumbhalgarh also separated Mewar and Marwar from each other and was built by the famous architect of the era, “Madan.” The fort was used as a refuge by the Rajput kings during danger in their forts or palaces. As I walked inside the fort, it looked the same way as it was centuries back, expect a few broken bricks. It is like walking into the pages of history. 

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Watchtower

The fort’s design is exquisite since you’ll approach the inward bastions through Arret Pol, Halla Pol, and Hanuman Pol within the south. And after that, you’ve got Ram Pol and Vijay Pol, the main passages. These all were base entrances to the fortification that is stretched over 36kms.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Wall boundary dividing Mewar & Marwa

As we move up Bhairav Pol, Chaugan Pol, Nimboo Pol, and Phagra Pol, I took an introductory note that the entrance gets smaller as I go up, and past a point, elephants and horses cannot enter. Moreover, the colour of the walls inside the fortification changes as we move upwards; the inward walls are more polished and white.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Polished wall to Badal mahal

Walking past the gateways, seven in number inside the fort, we reached the temple of the deity of the Kumbha dynasty, offered my prayers and moved towards Badal Mahal.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Temple of Devi

Badal Mahal is the highest portion of the fort, where the queen & King stayed. Why was it called Badal Mahal, as amid down-pouring season, the clouds used to spout interior the post; otherwise, you feel drifting over them? The Mahal has frescoes depictions still kept up & the rooms are enormous with Jharokhas. 

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Frescoes on Badal mahal Wall

Walking around the open structure, I climbed up & get a view; it was majestic. One can see the whole wall boundary & the Jain temple gathering. There’s the route that leads to Ranakpur and the place where kings utilised to go hunting. Investing a couple of minutes, we climbed down because it was getting late.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
The top of the fort

The guide concluded that even though the fortification was the origin of Ruler Udai Singh II, who was smuggled to Chittor by Panna Dai, a maid, yielded her claim child to ensure the future King of Mewar 1535AD. This fort is the reason for Rana Kumbha, his son killed. In a patricide, Rana Kumbha was slaughtered by his child Udaysimha (Udai Singh I), which also offered prayers in 1468AD. But the kill did not take place in this fort. Udai Singh, I misleadingly killed his father Kumbha in Eklingji Sanctuary in Chittor.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
A sect of Jain temple view from Badal Mahal

The last story described by the guide before he bid us goodbye was that -Rana Kumbha burned gigantic oil lights each evening. His purpose was to provide light amid the night to agriculturists working underneath. But legend believed that this light pulled in Queen of Jodhpur, and she deserted her spouse and set off for Kumbhalgarh Fort. Rana Kumbha, an exceptionally intellectual, turned away the humiliating encounter by making the queen his sister. I demanded to know the queen’s title, but the guide couldn’t title her.

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Carvings

After coming to the base of the fort, we strolled towards the Neelkanth Mahadev temple. It is famous for its 6-ft-high stone monument, Shivling, made out of a single dark Kasoti stone.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Shiva Ling

An exciting feature of the sanctuary is that it has passages from all four bearings and houses a sanctum and an open-pillared mandapa. A temple column bears engravings thtelllls Rana Sanga did the temple remodels; in any case, it was built by Rana Kumbha.

Kumbhalgarh Fort known as the Great Wall of India
Neelkanth Mahadev temple

Before we cleared for Udaipur, my mother visited the nearby co-operative shop to purchase another saree made in Udaipur; my mother called the nearby co-operative shop to buy another saree made out of custard apple. And a Dohra, which has a therapeutic sheet produced by the locals. 

Excursition to KumbhalGargh & Haldi Ghati
Dinner at Tradition Khana

The drive back to the hotel was bumpy as the streets were not great, & there were no streetlights. We ceased by Traditional Khana for dinner. The vibe was great & they served great Rajasthani, a thali cooked in unadulterated Ghee. Once we came to the hotel, we changed dress & hit our bed as we were damn exhausted.

How to reach:

By Air : 

Closest Airplane terminal is Udaipur, around 85 km away. Taxis charge approximately Rs 1600 from Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh and be booked from the airport.

By Rail: 

The nearest railhead is Falna, around 80 km away, which could be an intersection railroad station. From the station, a cab can be booked for Kumbhalgarh.

By Road:

Regular and deluxe buses of Rajasthan State Government Roadways halt at Kumbhalgarh en route to other cities. The town is connected with Udaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Pushkar by state buses which handle frequently. You either book a cab or drive to Kumbhalgarh. The road is well constructed.

 

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