Nestled among dense hillocks in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan, Kumbhalgarh, a two-hour drive from Udaipur is a profusely green, hilly territory with ponds and lakes to make it picture perfect! Relatively free of the tourist throng and chai biscuit stalls, Kumbhalgarh with its seemingly invisible population and stretches of mountains has a balmy, soporific effect — a perfect antidote to urban stress!

The ‘must sees’

The Kumbhalgarh Fort
Sporting a 36 km boundary wall (purportedly, second only to The Great Wall of China), it accommodates 360 Jain and Hindu temples and sits majestically atop a hill. Strategically designed to be toweringly visible from a distance, it does the disappearing act as you come closer. Useful to confuse the enemy!

Many such stories abound the fort and its environs... tales of Panna bai, Uday Singh, Rana Pratap, the three gardeners whose betrayal led to the invasion of the fort and Meher Baba whose sacrifice enabled the construction of the fort. The grand finale is provided by the sound and light show which flaunts the splendour of the fortification!

The Parshuram Mahadev Temple
From Kumbhalgarh, it is a three km vertical trek down and back; the task demanding determination and exemplary physical fitness. The small cave temple is presided over by a swayambhu (self-created) of lord Shiva. The cave ceiling has projections, resembling a cow’s mouth dripping water on the shivling. A wish fulfilling deity, the temple attracts many visitors especially in the months of Shravan and Bhadarva.

The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Harbours many a wild life species which include leopards, and sambhar as also a varied bird population.

Bliss factor of the trip:Was soaking in the serene stillness of the night under the silvery star-studded sky, while being serenaded by the soulful sounds of the Ravanahattha (musical instrument). To tweak the bard’s words, "If this be the food of life, play on...”