Some people and places never become popular. For better, for worse. But some rare and fragile things make you wonder and so you share to explore, connect and learn. Kumbalgarh, emerged in between the thirteen peaks of the Aravallis, back in the 15th century when Maharaja Rana Kumbha of Merwar built this fortress on a 3,500 feet high hill. Its enormous structure and architectural style has been admired more that it’s famous counterpart at Chittorgarh. The fort is surrounded a 36 kilometers wall, second longest in the world. It is guarded by seven main gates and watchtowers which protected the King and his people.

In Kumbha's time the kingdom of Mewar spread from Ranthambore to Gwalior, including parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Kumbhalgarh stands on the site of an ancient citadel of the Mauryan emperors. Its steel grey ramparts protect the Shero Mallah Valley, with monuments and cenotaphs that stand still, stuck in the medieval ages.

Legends say that the ramparts kept falling down until the Maharaja met a sage who advised him to make a human sacrifice to strengthen the foundations of the fort. Torn between his devotion to build the fort and the loyalty to his people, the Maharaja made a great sacrifice by cutting off his own head. Today, a new front gate is built at the fort where the Maharaja’s head fell and a palace stands in place of his body. The fort has been remembered after him, ever since

This impregnable construction was conquered once and only for 20 days when some traitors from the Mauryan and Merwar Empire tried to seek entry through a secret passageway into the citadel. The other attempt was a failure. A young flower seller was enticed to show an enemy the way into the citadel, by trailing petals along a secret path. The plot was foiled and the flower seller was bricked alive in the outer walls of the fortress. Look for an outline of a woman, highlighted in white that verifies this brutal punishment.

Today, in place of an active, dramatic army, interested travelers go on wall treks over two days trying to dig beneath the surface. One can just linger in and out of myths, nature, mystery and ruins along this long wall. The terrain is dotted with 360 temples and at least 700 Bunkers with cannons. The fort comprises of many palaces and temples, each with its own legends. The famous Badal Mahal, the Palace of Clouds is gateway into the clouds overlooking the ruins. The Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary stretches across, adjacent to the fort and happens to be the only park in Rajasthan where wolves are seen. Some other inhabitants, apart from rare birds are leopards, sloth bears and hyenas.

This sanctuary is one of the few parks that allow people on horsebacks. One can visit the oldest Jain temples at Ranakpur which is a four hour walk through evergreen forests of Vanpura and Saira. Milk-white marble temples, dating back to 1439 still stand just as pure and rich. One of those places where you will want to lose your way, in time and space. Find yourself included within the walls of Kumbhalgarh. Let’s thank our stars we are not 15th century now, else we would all be bricked alive!

Ps: Watch this place to see what TBY has to offer in Rajasthan!