Kalinjar Fort
Kalinjar Fort
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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gourmetclub
Allahabad, India80 contributions
Sep 2019
Enter it from Chitrakut or from Banda . It can be fitted into a day trip. Be ready with your walking shoes and try asking for help. There are some local volunteers who take you through this awesome place. Carry your own food and drinking water. The temple which you have to take steps for is a delight and leaves you awestruck. A lot of history very well preserved .
Written April 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rahul Mishra
New Delhi, India185 contributions
Dec 2021
The grand Neelkanth temple in Kalinjar Fort, along with the huge Gajantak Shiva statue, as well as many stone sculpted statues are the main attractions.Their history has been told from the Gupta period to the Chandela period.
Take a time of at least 3 hours and take food and water with you as it is not available in the grand fort complex.
Take a time of at least 3 hours and take food and water with you as it is not available in the grand fort complex.
Written March 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fearless757358
3 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
I have recently visited Kalinjar Fort with a local guide named Ajay Singh who works out of Khahurajo, his signs are by the boating lake opposite the main temple. An excellent one day excursion with plenty to see. Many of the buildings are intact and the lower temple is impressive. My guide is quite passionate about the local history and has also guided documentary makers from the history channel. He was also able to show me rock paintings on the lower part of the mountain which was an unexpected bonus and an indication as to how many millennia the area has been important for human habitation. He also made sure that I didn't wear any deodorant or perfume to avoid any problems with the local bees.... there were no problems, but that's the kind of attention to detail I appreciate.
I will add that Ajay says other people are claiming to be him so make sure you get the right guy.
I will add that Ajay says other people are claiming to be him so make sure you get the right guy.
Written February 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manish G
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India161 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Kalinjar is one of the prominent hill fortress of Central India. The roads leading to the fort are not good and there are no places to stay nearby. Nearest places for making the excursions are around 100 km, making it a day excursion if you are visiting Khajuraho, Chitrakoot, Allahabad. The fort is utterly neglected and is in complete ruin. No guides, or boards etc are available to enlighten the visitor to the remarkable history it has witnessed. You will be left to explore the place on your own.
Once you start to explore the magnificence of the fort comes through. Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the fort, Sher Shah Suri met his death on its grounds, the fort was a major pivotal centre in India’s first fight of independence in 1857.
There is a magnificent Shiva temple inside the complex which many locals trek up to pay homage today also. The deities have bore the burnt of the attacks from Mughal forces, yet they retain their splendor. Shiva is worshipped in the form of Neelkanth, as Shiva came to Kalinjar after drinking poison to overcome death.
If you are a history lover make the excursion to the fort and you would not be disappointed. However if you are a regular touristy kinda person not interested in history give this place a miss.
Once you start to explore the magnificence of the fort comes through. Mahmud of Ghazni conquered the fort, Sher Shah Suri met his death on its grounds, the fort was a major pivotal centre in India’s first fight of independence in 1857.
There is a magnificent Shiva temple inside the complex which many locals trek up to pay homage today also. The deities have bore the burnt of the attacks from Mughal forces, yet they retain their splendor. Shiva is worshipped in the form of Neelkanth, as Shiva came to Kalinjar after drinking poison to overcome death.
If you are a history lover make the excursion to the fort and you would not be disappointed. However if you are a regular touristy kinda person not interested in history give this place a miss.
Written August 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreamshell
Pune, India39 contributions
Oct 2015
History says this fort is where Mahmud Ghazni, the afghan invader who ruined Somnath was stopped and had to return. As such, the place is of great historic importance for the country. Alas, if only the regional tourism authorities felt the same and maintained the place!!!
The fort is located on the border between MP and UP approx 100kms from Khajuraho, the nearest location with any connectivity for tourists. The only way to get there is by transport rented from Khajuraho. Its better if you have a local driver since there are almost no driving directions along the way. Also some stretches of the road are in pathetic condition and may leave you wanting to head back just like Mahmud Ghazni. However, village people along the way are pretty helpful. Availability for drinking water and food is pretty limited on the way, so choose wisely.
A drive up the fort and the security guys stop you for the entry ticket. Once on top, you have an option to see the fort ruins and also visit the temples which are used for worship by locals. Do check with them on which parts to visit as they give good advice. The fort ruins definitely set your imagination afire and you can see how colourful this part of the country was 1000 years ago. The neglect of the place is awfully shocking and you can see stone statues and sculptures from the era lying broken on the ground at several places.
All in all, do visit if you are in Khajuraho and have a day free in hand. Else, a visit to the place is not worth the efforts.
The fort is located on the border between MP and UP approx 100kms from Khajuraho, the nearest location with any connectivity for tourists. The only way to get there is by transport rented from Khajuraho. Its better if you have a local driver since there are almost no driving directions along the way. Also some stretches of the road are in pathetic condition and may leave you wanting to head back just like Mahmud Ghazni. However, village people along the way are pretty helpful. Availability for drinking water and food is pretty limited on the way, so choose wisely.
A drive up the fort and the security guys stop you for the entry ticket. Once on top, you have an option to see the fort ruins and also visit the temples which are used for worship by locals. Do check with them on which parts to visit as they give good advice. The fort ruins definitely set your imagination afire and you can see how colourful this part of the country was 1000 years ago. The neglect of the place is awfully shocking and you can see stone statues and sculptures from the era lying broken on the ground at several places.
All in all, do visit if you are in Khajuraho and have a day free in hand. Else, a visit to the place is not worth the efforts.
Written November 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vibhu D
Saint Louis, MO10 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
Kalinjar is a fortress-city in the Bundelkhand region of central India. Kalinjar is located in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh state, near the temple-city and World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. It served several of Bundelkhand's ruling dynasties, including the Chandela dynasty of Rajputs in the 10th century, and the Solankis of Rewa. The fortress contains several temples, dating as far back as the Gupta dynasty of the 3rd-5th centuries. We went to Kalinjar fort and Chitrakoot for a five day tour. Kalinjar fort was our first destination. it was bit time taking to reach there as its very inside between border of UP and MP. when we reached there we found the fort at slope of hill and its was just fabulous. We haven't seen any fort features of slope carved fort, very big Goddess and God's statues, uphill underwater tank with marvelous water distribution system which you cannot see or rare among forts in India. there is no waterfall or any specific water source but the tank in the top of fort is always filled with water. Nice fort to see.
Written July 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rak990
Bhopal, India229 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Kalinjar Fort is famous fort in Bundelkhand region of India. As Bundelkhand is a prominent gateway to central and south India, this fort stood like a rock and testing ground for invaders and kings trying to capture this part of country. Mahmud Ghazni had to take a retreat from here. Later, Shershah Suri, who had dethroned Mughals and was trying to capture central India had almost captured this fort but died accidentally here. Bundelas could not be defeated. Mughals later regained Delhi. Kalinjar is still there but not properly kept. Situated in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, it can be accessed from Khajuraho and Panna in Madhya Pradesh. It is better to go by own or hired vehicle as public transport is minimal. Private vehicles can go up to the hills on which the fort is located.
Written April 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dilraj49
Calcutta, West Bengal, India86 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
A passing mention in a chance meeting with an M P Tourism official at Khajuraho and my life-long fascination for the greatest-ever ruler of this land found me on the way to Kalinjar Fort. Coming from Khajuraho, the major part of the main road is in MP and it leaves much to be desired. However, the part of the main road in UP as well as the winding road leading to the fort is in a reasonably good condition.
Once inside the fort, I saw only signs of decadence everywhere. In its heydays, it must have been a township of reasonable size. But total lack of maintenance over the ages has rendered it something like a scattered bunch of decrepit shacks. In the absence of any information, the significance of the ruins remains a mystery. Everything about the place is in a shambles. Even the locals do not have any idea of their own past.
For me, the saddest part was the absence of any board at the spot where the great soul was hit by an exploding cannonball and breathed his last.
Once inside the fort, I saw only signs of decadence everywhere. In its heydays, it must have been a township of reasonable size. But total lack of maintenance over the ages has rendered it something like a scattered bunch of decrepit shacks. In the absence of any information, the significance of the ruins remains a mystery. Everything about the place is in a shambles. Even the locals do not have any idea of their own past.
For me, the saddest part was the absence of any board at the spot where the great soul was hit by an exploding cannonball and breathed his last.
Written October 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sea Dweller
Dubai, United Arab Emirates6,961 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Kalinjar (means “The destroyer of time” in Sanskrit) is a fortress-city is strategically located on an isolated rocky hill at the end the Vindhya Range, at an elevation of 367 m and overlooks the plains of Bundelkhand.
The exact origins of the fort itself are uncertain. According to the 16th century Persian historian Firishta, the town of Kalinjar was established by Kedar Raja in 7th century. But fortress contains several temples dating as far back as the Gupta dynasty of the 3rd-5th centuries.
In any case, Fort justifies its name. Until now, many fortress buildings and part of its walls have been preserved. And you can imagine his former greatness.
The exact origins of the fort itself are uncertain. According to the 16th century Persian historian Firishta, the town of Kalinjar was established by Kedar Raja in 7th century. But fortress contains several temples dating as far back as the Gupta dynasty of the 3rd-5th centuries.
In any case, Fort justifies its name. Until now, many fortress buildings and part of its walls have been preserved. And you can imagine his former greatness.
Written August 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gr8funda
allahabad63 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
Place lies a midst forest atop a hilly plateau in central India,with overlooking view of nice greenery .Ruins of fort and its huge entry gate is magnificent as one may meanders thru to reach the kings place,having separate queens fort within.Meticulously designed water ponds were also seen in ruins and moats were present as to safeguard peoples in fort.one may find Temple carved out of stone atop the hills with steps down .one may take water and refreshments as some prasad and roasted grams etc. were only available near temple there.
Written December 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
when i visited, no guides were available..
Written October 14, 2018
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