The Kumbhalgarh Fort is located on the banks of Banas River and is the second most important fort of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by 13 mountain peaks and strengthened by watchtowers and rounded bastions. It was built by Rana Kumbha and it took him some 15 years to build this fort.The fort stretches across 36 km of the Aravalli Mountains and houses a domed palace. The length of the winding walls was instrumental in defending the citadel from the series of battlements. The fort rises from a prominent ridge, at a height of 1100 metres from the sea level. There are seven gates that guard this fort and are wide enough for eight horses to march abreast.According to legend, a voluntary human sacrifice was required for the strong construction of the fort. A pilgrim volunteered and a shrine and a temple were built at Hanuman Pol, the main gate of the fort, to commemorate the great sacrifice. The other gates of the fort are known as Hulla Pol, Ram Pol, Paghra Pol, Nimboo Pol, Bhairava Pol and Top-khana Pol.The fort offers excellent views of the surrounding areas and various interesting ruins are situated in the large compound of the fort. It houses an inner fort known as Kartargarh and the inner fort is inclusive of a palace that was built by Maharana Fateh Singh.In the 19th century, he renovated the fort and built this palace, after pulling down the old palace built by Rana Kumbha. A number of temples were also built by the Mauryas within this citadel.