Plan your trip · Kumbhalgarh
What's on in Kumbhalgarh
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Kumbhalgarh — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Kumbhalgarh right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh's calendar runs through most of the year, with the busiest weeks in the clear, comfortable months and a quieter stretch in the heaviest rain. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Signature to Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh Festival
🗓️ DecemberThree days of classical music and dance below the fort walls — the second-longest continuous wall in the world.
Planning: Pair it with the Ranakpur temples half an hour away.
Across Rajasthan
Teej and Gangaur
🗓️ July–August and March–AprilProcessions of decorated idols through the old cities, especially Jaipur and Udaipur.
Planning: Good street photography, heavy crowds in the old-city lanes.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Kumbhalgarh's biggest event is the Kumbhalgarh Festival, usually held for three days in early December at the fort. Organised by Rajasthan Tourism, it brings classical and folk music, dance and art to the grounds below the walls, and it honours Rana Kumbha, who built the fort and was known as a patron of the arts. On every other evening of the year, the fort's light-and-sound show tells the story of the fort and Maharana Pratap.
The villages around the fort also mark Diwali, Holi and the Rajasthani festivals of Gangaur and Teej. Festival dates can change from year to year, so check the latest schedule and book a room early if you plan your trip around an event.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Kumbhalgarh
- Book your stay early for the Kumbhalgarh Festival, as rooms near the fort are limited.
- Carry a warm layer for evening performances in December.
- Arrive before sunset for the light-and-sound show to get a good seat.
- Arrange your transport back in advance, as taxis are scarce near the fort at night.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as most events are reached on foot up the hill.
- Keep your belongings secure in the crowds.
Questions
Kumbhalgarh — FAQ
What is the Kumbhalgarh Festival?
It is a three-day cultural festival held at the fort by Rajasthan Tourism, with classical and folk music, dance and art. It is usually held in early December, but check the dates for the year.
Is there a light-and-sound show at Kumbhalgarh Fort?
Yes. The show runs in the evening, usually with one session in Hindi and a later one in English. It tells the history of the fort and Maharana Pratap. Check the current timings when you arrive.
Which festivals are celebrated in Kumbhalgarh?
Besides the Kumbhalgarh Festival, Diwali, Holi, Gangaur and Teej are celebrated in the villages around the fort.
Is the Kumbhalgarh Festival crowded?
It draws more visitors than usual, and rooms near the fort fill up quickly. Book early and plan your transport, as the fort is a drive from most places to stay.