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Namaste! Standing as proof of a glorious past and excellent craftsmanship, the impregnable forts and exquisite palaces with accents of rich architecture cannot escape the mind of a traveller, when speaking of India. With history rooted in lores of conquests and dynasties, a tryst with these historic structures can be seldom avoided, when travelling in India. These old bastions of strength had several reasons for their establishment; projecting influence and might, showcasing vibrant architectural skills and protecting the citizens. The length and breadth of India is dotted with numerous such remnants of splendor and there are an array of activities that one can get indulged into while staying near any of these forts or palaces. In this edition of TravNama, we will explore some amazing activities that one can get indulged while staying at Kumbhalgarh. Watch a short video showcasing the majestic Kumbhalgarh Fort.
Cradled in the Aravali Range, Kumbhalgarh is the second most important fort in Mewar region, after Chittorgarh. This fortress was built by Rana Kumbha, a celebrated ruler of the Mewar dynasty, in 15th century AD. A UNESCO World Heritage Site under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan, the magnificent fort served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of conflict as the inaccessibility and hostility of the topography made it one of the most difficult forts to conquer. Its defence was breached only once by the combined armies of Mughals and Amber (Jaipur).
The fort's massive wall stretches up to 36 km in length and is wide enough to take eight horses abreast. It is one of the largest wall in the world bearing a striking resemblance to the Great Wall of China. The fort's large compound has fascinating ruins including magnificent temples built by the Mauryas. A walk around it will be a rewarding experience for a discerning traveller. The place is also of immense sentimental significance for the people of Mewar as it had provided refuge to minor Uday Singh II during the time of conflict and it is also the birthplace of Mewar's legendary king, Maharana Pratap, who made his own niche and was the most courageous and celebrated warrior of Mewar dynasty.
LET'S EXPLORE SOME INTERESTING ACTIVITIES TO DO AROUND KUMBHALGARH:
1. Enjoy a lovely hike through the mystic Aravalis (Approx. 16 km)
It offers an exciting opportunity for an easy hike in the mystic Aravalis. The Aravali range is amongst the oldest mountain ranges in the world, running approximately 700 Km in a south-west direction, starting in north India from Delhi and passing through western India, the state of Rajasthan. It divides Rajasthan into two Parts & ends up in Gujarat.
The trail goes uphill and downhill with mesmerizing views of the mountains, massive fort wall, and Kumbhalgarh fort.
After a walk of 06 km / 01 ½ - 02 hours from the starting point, one will reach Surajkund, a place famous for spirituality. People from all parts of India visit this place to take a dip in a holy pond situated here. The hike will continue through the narrow trail towards Kumbhalgarh. One will discover how the terrain of one of the oldest mountain range of the world changes with every passing minute. The walk also provides some amazing opportunities to spot a variety of birds including grey jungle Fowl, dove, parakeets, peacocks, golden oriole, grey pigeons, bulbul, white-breasted kingfisher etc.
After about 10 minutes into the walk, one will come across a small tribal village called the "Bhil Village," which is the home of bowmen of Rajasthan. The Bhils are the most widely distributed tribal groups in India. They form the largest tribe in the whole of South Asia. After passing through the Bhil Village, the uphill walk will take one through the sugarcane and mustard farms. The beautiful hike will end at Wagard Village.
The different tribes residing here share common features, which seem to explain their past, but characteristics in their attire, jewellery and celebration of fairs and festivals set them apart. As all clan members are believed to be related to one another, marriages are generally arranged outside the community. Many of these folks have similar customs and traditions like Hindus. The tribals are mainly sheep herders, and therefore one will at times come across herds of sheep and goats during the hike. The walk will provide an excellent opportunity to interact with the tribals and experience their lifestyle from a close quarter.
Continue on a narrow trail passing a small stream on the way. Gradually the surrounding forest will get dense. After walking for about 40 minutes, reach a quaint Hindu Temple located in the middle of nowhere. After walking for another 20-25 minutes reach a man-made water body, known as "Thandi Beri". Now one will be in the middle of a thick jungle and the core area of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The area is rich with migratory birds that fly from Siberia to South Asia during the winter. The lucky ones may also spot a crocodile warming himself up in the winter sun. There are also a couple of species of antelopes in this forest like the "Nilgai" or the Indian Blue Bull, Indian Gazelle etc. 
In this 03 hours of bicycling experience one will see farm lands, a Persian wheel (water lifting device) and pass by numerous villages. There will be an opportunity to stop in one of the villages and explore the rural life style. The biking trail will be a moderate terrain with picturesque Aravali hills in the background.
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