Photo Credit: byronic501
A repository of the gallantry of Bundelkhand, the name itself conjures up rich images of the region’s mythology and history. The impregnable Kalinjar Fort was a formidable domain during the medieval ages. Strategically located at a height of 700 feet in the Vindhya Parbat, it is an architectural marvel. The ramparts of this massive citadel had four gateways. Today only the following three of them exist: the Rewa Dwar, the Panna Dwar, and the Kamta Dwar. Once you enter the fortification and reach the Fort, you will see seven gateways. They are the Alamgir Darwaza, the Ganesh Dwar, the Chauburji or Chandi Darwaza, the Buddha Bhadra Dwar, the Hanuman Dwar, the Lai Darwaza and the Bara Darwaza.
Photo Credit: byronic501
There are lots of architectural spectacles in the structures within the Fort complex. You will be amazed by the finesse with which sculptures have been etched on the walls of many of them. The buildings include the remains of two palaces — the Raja Mahal and the Rani Mahal — and the Neelkanth Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva for a special purpose. The outer portion of the mandir extols the superb craftsmanship of the artisans who designed it. This structure was constructed by Chandela monarch Parmardideva. Myth has it that Lord Shiva came here to rest after consuming the poison that had emanated during the ocean-churning carried out by the rival parties of the Devas and the Asuras. The purpose behind the churning of the ocean was the issue of immortality that would be the award for the victor. The temple is a commemoration of that auspicious moment. The 18 arm, 24 ft tall and 17 ft broad colossal statue of Kal Bhairav, is cut in a slot that is beside the Swargarohan (path to heaven) Kund (pond) which is also formed by cutting a rock face. There is also a huge Shiva lingam (the symbol of the lingam in the yoni signifying procreation) near the kund. Legend has it that the Pandavas took bath at this Swargarohan Kund before traversing their ultimate journey to the Almighty’s Home.
Photo Credit: byronic501
Moreover, several other natural spots draw tourists due to the mysticism associated with them. Mention may be made of the Mrigdhara (meaning Antelope’s Spring) located within an internal hall of the fortification and also of the Pandu Kund or pond where trickling water falls from the parallel fissures of rocks in layers. Some other exotic and sacred tourist destination spots are the mammoth carved figure of Lord Bhairav (another name of Lord Shiva, the preserver and the destroyer of the universe) on the flat surface of a huge rock face known variously as Manduk Bhairav and also as Bhairav-ki-Jharia; and the famous water reservoir known as Patal Ganga. The belief is that the source of water of this reservoir is from the sacred river, Ganga, from under the earth. You should also visit the Sita Sej. It is actually a small grotto having a stone pillow on a stone bed used by recluses to relax after meditating or in their searches for the eternal truth in the olden days. Take some time off and have a dip in the Buddha Buddhi Taal and the Koti Tirth Taal. The popular belief is that the therapeutic qualities of the water of these two naturally formed lakes can cure leprosy. These and many other aspects of the Fort like its architecture and design inevitably attracts visitors.