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Kumbhalgarh Festival: dance under the walls of a hill fort
A lit rampart snaking over the Aravalli ridges, and dancers in its shadow
For three days Rajasthan Tourism puts on folk and classical dance inside Kumbhalgarh Fort, a 15th-century Mewar citadel in the Aravalli hills north of Udaipur (Rajasthan Tourism gives 84 to 98 km), and after dark the performances play against the fort's lit walls. Dates: 1–3 December 2026. The festival keeps the same days in early December every year, and the tourism department publishes its calendar years ahead.
Rajasthan Tourism publishes the dates years ahead (its current list runs to 2030) and can revise them; check its calendar a few months before.
The legend
The fort was built in the 15th century under Rana Kumbha of Mewar; Kumbhalgarh means "Kumbha's fort". Its builder was Mandan, Mewar's chief architect.
Maharana Pratap, Mewar's celebrated ruler, was born here. In 2013 the fort joined UNESCO's list among the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
The three-day festival is staged by Rajasthan's tourism department to show the region's culture and heritage inside the fort itself.
Customs
Turbans and henna
By day folk artists perform in the fort courtyards, with contests in turban-tying and henna painting.
Dance by the walls
In the evening classical and folk dance plays against the lit walls, with light and sound.
Where to celebrate
Kumbhalgarh
For three evenings in early December, Rajasthan Tourism stages folk and classical dance inside Kumbhalgarh Fort, beneath walls lit up along the Aravalli ridges.
What happens over the three days
Rajasthan Tourism splits the festival into day and night. By day traditional folk artists perform in the fort courtyards, and there are competitions in turban-tying and henna painting. After sunset the programme moves to dance, lights and sound, with classical and folk dance staged against the lit fort walls. Any of the three evenings works; there is no single main day.
The fort behind the stage
Kumbhalgarh was built in the 15th century under Rana Kumbha of Mewar, and its name means Kumbha's fort; the architect was Mandan, Mewar's chief builder. In Mewar it is second only to Chittorgarh. Its wall runs for some 36 km along the Aravallis and is wide enough, Rajasthan Tourism says, for eight horses abreast.
The fort was a refuge for Mewar's rulers in hard times. The young prince Udai was hidden here after the throne was usurped, and Maharana Pratap, Mewar's most celebrated ruler, was born here. Its defences fell only once, to the combined armies of the Mughals and Amber, largely because the drinking water ran short. Inside are temples, ruins and the Badal Mahal, the Palace of the Clouds; Maharana Fateh Singh renovated the fort in the 19th century. In 2013 Kumbhalgarh joined UNESCO's World Heritage List as one of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
Getting there and where to stay
- Book a room about six weeks ahead. There are only a few hotels below the fort, and they fill for the festival.
- Stay at Kumbhalgarh, not in Udaipur. The evening programme ends late, and the road back to Udaipur is a long hill road (84 to 98 km by Rajasthan Tourism's figures) that is better not driven at night.
- Book trains about a month ahead. The nearest railway station is Falna, about 80 km away; Udaipur City is the other option. From either one the last stretch is by taxi.
- Arrive the afternoon before. One night is the minimum (the night after the show); two give you the eve and a full festival day, with time to walk the walls in daylight.
- Entry: the festival is inside the fort, so you enter on the ASI fort ticket. Prices are on the ASI site.
Fixed dates, still worth checking
Rajasthan Tourism keeps the festival on the same December days each year and its published list already runs years ahead (1–3 December 2026 is the next edition). The department can still revise dates, so check its fairs and festivals calendar a few months before you book.
What to combine it with
The festival pairs naturally with two other names in the same region: the Jain temple at Ranakpur and the city of Udaipur. Rajasthan Tourism's calendar also has the Ranakpur Jawai Festival.
FAQ
When is the Kumbhalgarh Festival?
Next: 1–3 December 2026. It runs for three days in early December on the same dates every year, according to Rajasthan Tourism's calendar.
Where is the Kumbhalgarh Festival held?
Inside Kumbhalgarh Fort in the Aravalli hills north of Udaipur; Rajasthan Tourism gives the distance as 84 to 98 km.
What happens at the Kumbhalgarh Festival?
Folk performances and turban-tying and henna competitions by day; classical and folk dance with light and sound against the lit fort walls in the evening.
Is one day enough for Kumbhalgarh?
For the festival, plan at least one night at Kumbhalgarh so you do not drive the hill road back to Udaipur after the evening show; two nights let you see the fort by day as well.
What is special about Kumbhalgarh Fort?
Its wall runs for some 36 km along the Aravallis, it is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
Do I need a ticket for the festival?
The festival is inside the fort, so you enter on the ASI fort ticket.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.