Engulfed with the exuberant foliage of Aravalli Range, Kumbhalgarh, is a World Heritage Site in Mewar district of Rajasthan. The awe-inspiring site is a perfect 2 day adventurous vacation spot where architecture aficionados can explore traces of Mewari culture, history, heritage and its existence. Additionally, near Kumbhalgarh, there are some of the most astounding places to visit such as the historic Chittorgarh, the small village of Jawai, which is home to the magnificent leopards, and the incredible archaeological site of Haldighati. So, when are you planning an insightful expedition to Kumbhalgarh, if soon then let's find out some touristy places to visit in Kumbhalgarh for you.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh Fort
The widespread grandiose to Indian heritage and its royal culture, Kumbhalgarh Fort, also known as the Great Wall of India was built under Mewar’s ruler, Rana Kumbha. The splendor of the historical site houses more than 70 temples, both Jain and Hindu. Back in the 15th century the idea behind building this 30 kms long serpentine wall structure was to separate Marwar from Mewar. Also, the fort with seven fortified gateways was used by rulers of Mewar as a place of refuge. In June 2013, during the 37th World Heritage Committee conference in Phnom Penh, the UNESCO World Heritage Site list was expanded to include Kumbhalgarh with 5 other forts of Rajasthan.
Entry Fee — INR 15 for Indians and INR 200 for international tourists.
Timing — 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Badal Mahal
One of the astounding places to visit in Kumbhalgarh is Badal Mahal, also referred to as the Palace of Clouds. It is housed inside the Kumbhalgarh Fort and is known as the Palace of Clouds considering the breathtaking view that one can enjoy from the top of the structure.
Its elaborate stone jails, captivating wall paintings and the stonework where the queens once watched the court's proceedings make it one of Kumbhalgarh's most picturesque destinations. This palace was designed with two distinct sections: the Zenana Mahal for the royal ladies and the Mardana Mahal for the royal males.
Entry fee — INR 15 for Indians and INR 200 for international tourist
Timing — 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the most fascinating sites to visit in Kumbhalgarh is the expansive Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in the foothills of the Aravalli range. Numerous critically endangered species, including the white-breasted Kingfisher and the uncommon grey jungle chicken, can be found in this refuge.
The monsoon season is the ideal time of year to visit the sanctuary. This is due to the monsoon's enchanted charm, which enables you to fully enjoy the sanctuary's exhilarating jungle safaris and horseback tours.
Timing — 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Entry fee – INR 100 per person on weekdays and INR 75 on weekends, and INR 15 for school students.
Muchhal Mahavir Temple – With A Unique Deity Of Mahavira
The Jain temple consecrated to Lord Mahavir, Muchhal Mahavir, is renowned for its magnificent entryway featuring two enormous statues of elephants standing guard.
The presence of a mustachioed statue of Lord Shiva is what distinguishes this temple and makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kumbhalgarh. You will see the white idol of Lord Mahavir lying in the Padmasana position as you proceed deeper inside the temple.
Timing — 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Entry fee — INR 10 for Indians and INR 100 for international tourists.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Within the fort grounds itself is the perplexing heritage temple known as Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. This magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has breathtakingly beautiful architecture. This temple is well-known for having India's longest and widest i.e. 6-feet high Shivalingam. Notable for its rich history and folklore, this 500-year-old temple enjoys great fame.
Parshuram Temple
When sightseeing in Kumbhalgarh, the magnificent Parshuram Temple, a cave temple is surely a vision to behold. It is said that Parshuram himself built, chipping away at the rock with his axe. This cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, features nine holy kunds, or ponds, that never dry up, along with shrines of Lord Ganesh. The 500 steps away temple hosts enormous fairs on Saptami and Shravan Shukla Shashti.
Mammadev Temple
Known for its exquisite architecture that will captivate you, this tranquil temple dates back to 1458. At first, the shrine featured four slabs, one of which had the history of the Mewar kingdom engraved on it. The inscription begins with the history of Guhil.
An eight-foot-tall lingam of Lord Shiva can be found at this Indian tourist destination. The beautiful sanctum, open mandapa, and other features of this temple, along with the pillar inscriptions, all accentuate its beauty. There are a number of fascinating myths and stories that you will learn about this temple and the kings here.