One of the earliest temples of the Kumbhalgarh Fort complex is the Ganesha Temple located near the famed Ram Pol. This temple is yet another magnificent edifice built by the master builder Maharana Kumbha between 1443 – 1468 CE.
The temple stands majestically on a raised platform built according to the topography and is accessed by a flight of steps from the southern side. The temple on plan has two pillared mandapas, an antarala and a garbha griha.
The grand statue of Lord Ganesha was consecrated by Maharana Kumbha as per inscriptions found in Kirti Stambha at Chittorgarh Fort. There is a beautifully designed curvilinear brick shikhara over the sanctum sanctorum. Domical ceilings are seen over the pillared mandapas.
The temple is an interesting mix of dressed stone and brick though largely simplistic in terms of decoration.
Written by Lakshmi Subramanian
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