Kumbalgarh Experience:
No newspapers, No Television…..and No Telephones….if this is your idea of “ Stopping the world and Getting Off ”, you will love Kumbalgarh. I would suggest that you should not even carry your wrist-watch with you. Just be one with the natural surroundings and your inner self. Your journey towards the truth and your quest for your purpose of existence will continue here.
In the verdant hills of Shetrunjo, just 75 Kms. from Udaipur, lies the wonderful hill station of Kumbalgarh. Relatively unknown and hence untouched by commercial tourism it remains the delight of travelers like me. Located at the height of 3500 feet, it has pleasant climate throughout the year. As lush green forests and mountains surround it, early morning walk or safari in the jungle would be a wonderful idea.
Most of us are unaware that the magnificent fort of Kumbalgarh constructed by Rana Kumbha is covers the area of 36 Kms. In term of length, the wall of the fort is ranked second in the world after Great Wall of China. It also houses 280 small and big Jain and Hindu temples. The width of the wall is big enough for four horses to run simultaneously. Late evening or early morning walks on this wall takes you into the past – a world of Kings and great battles. You can actually feel that you are a part of the history and you can visualize the events, which took place around the turn of the century.
Aodhi Hotel in Kumbalgarh is a small hotel, which blends with the jungle and is also designed in a traditional Mughal style architecture, which resembles to the fort next door. ‘Aodhi’ means Hunting Lodge and with its camouflage, it looks like one. It is built on a slope of a mountain with canopy of trees surrounding it and a playful little brook flows through the resort during the monsoons. The rooms are designed on different themes like – Tiger, Parrot, Jungle and etc.
It has a small bar, coffee shop, a restaurant and swimming pool. I would say that it has all the luxury available without disturbing the environment around it. The hotel staff is very enthusiastic and always eager to help you. You can see the reflections of traditional Rajasthani hospitality flowing through their actions.
The options for excursions available to you are Ranakpur Jain temples and a Jungle safari. Visit to the Sunset point and a brief meditation in view of the nature’s grandeur and the last rays of sun was my precious experience. I will treasure it for the years to come. The hills and the history or Rajasthan will always beckon me and I am sure that my sweet memories will always compel me go back to – a forgotten page of history – Kumbalgarh…………