Built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of Rajasthan’s most magnificent and well-preserved hill forts. It’s surrounded by an incredible 35 km long wall, often called the Great Wall of India — the second longest continuous wall in the world after the Great Wall of China, and still remarkably intact.
The fort’s design is ingenious — it’s visible only from around 200 meters away, blending perfectly into the surrounding Aravalli hills.
The first gate is Halla Pol, and about half a kilometer ahead is Hanuman Pol, marked by an idol of Lord Hanuman. The fort first becomes visible halfway between these two gates.
After entering Hanuman Pol, you’ll see the ticket window ahead — entry is ₹40 for Indian adults. From there, you proceed through the main gate, Ram Pol, which leads into the main complex.
Inside Ram Pol, two paths diverge — the left path takes you uphill towards Badal Mahal, while the right path leads to the temples within the complex.
It’s best to climb the fort first while you have energy and enthusiasm, and visit the temples on your way down.
On the way up, you’ll pass through Bhairon Pol, Nimboo Pol, Chaugan Pol, Pagda Pol, and Ganesh Pol, before reaching Badal Mahal, which offers breathtaking panoramic views.
It takes about 3 hours to comfortably explore the fort, enjoy the views, and take pictures. Spare some extra time if you wish to explore the surrounding temples, as they’re spread across the lower areas.
Notable temples include Neelkanth Mahadev, Vedi Temple, Parshvanath Jain, and Ganesh Temple. I also went up to Bawan Devri, a very ancient Jain temple located a bit farther inside — totally worth it. From there, I climbed onto the fort wall and walked along it, which was an amazing and memorable experience.
Kumbhalgarh is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great Rajput warrior. With its massive walls, scenic views, and historic charm, it’s truly a must-visit fort in Rajasthan.