Kumbhalgarh Fort, a wonderous architectural and structural feat is dotted with stunning temples of different periods. This fort conceived by the master builder, Maharana Kumbha was built over an existing fortified structure of perhaps the early 8th century.
Maharana Kumbha is deemed to be one of the finest architects of the 15th century and highly proficient in Sanskrit, ancient Hindu literature, scriptures and treatises. Every edifice designed by him has proved to be an excellent example to understand the science of Hindu philosophy and tenets of Shilpa Shastra.
One such fine example is the 15th century Mamadeo Temple constructed near the Rana Baori on the downward slope of the hill. Listed also as Kumbha Shyam Temple by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this temple holds the rare honour of having the entire history of Kumbhalgarh inscribed on its stone slabs.
Though the temple is in ruins, it still manages to exude quietude, charm and restrained grandeur. The temple has an enclosure all round and a stepwell known locally as Mamadeo Baori.
According to historians and archaeologists, a considerable number of exquisite sculptures of Madhava, Krishna, Madhusudana, Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Purushottama and others dated 1460 CE were found among the debris. The temple built in stone houses damaged idols of Lord Ganesha, Mahishasuramardini and others of the mid – 15th century. This temple has a pillared mandapa and a flat roof over the garbha griha.
A fair number of stone inscriptions have been stored in a museum in Udaipur.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
sahasa.in 
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