Perfectly cradled within the shelter of over a dozen raised peaks of the Aravalli Mountain Range, the Kumbalgarh Fort lies 64km (40mi.) from Udaipur. The most impressive element of the Fort is the 36km (22mi.) long wall leading up to and surrounding it, second in length only to the Great Wall of China. Such is the breadth of the wall that eight grown horses can be lined side by side along its girth.
The Fort is revered by locals, not only for its religious monuments that grace the interior but also its tumultuous history, and the refuge it offered in times of war. Its mighty walls embrace multitudes of stately palaces, sprawling gardens and over 300 temples dating from the 15th century. The stone-pillared Shiva Temple houses a massive Shivling, a representation of the Hindu deity Shiva used for worship. The Palace of Clouds stands proud on the crown of the mammoth structure, featuring lustrous colours in stark distinction to the rugged texture of the Fort. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, home to Indian leopards and other game neighbours the Kumbhalgarh Fort.
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