महाराणा कुम्भा (हरविलास सारदा - मेवाड़ साम्राज्य के अद्वितीय विजेता, निर्माता व विद्वान्)

Maharana Kumbha. deity; especially the Kiner or oleander, which grows in great luxuriance on the Aravalli. Groves of bamboo and mango were formerly common, according to tradition; but although it is deemed sacrilege to thin the groves of Bal, the bamboo has been nearly destroyed: there are, however, still many trees sacred to the deity scattered around."¹ The temple of Eklingji is dedicated to Mahadeva or Siva. Bappa Rawal is said to have built the original temple. It was rebuilt by Maharana Mokal who built a wall round it. Maharana Raimal greatly improved it and iustalled a four faced image of Siva in it in V.S. 1545 (A.D. 1488). Maharana Kumbha renovated² the temple, constructed the magnificent Kumbhaman- dapa (domed hall) in front of the sanctum sanctorum and the toran (archway) leading to the mandapa (dome). He presented the temple with the gold flagstaff and numerous Kalus and bestowed on the temple for its maintenance, the four villages of Nagada³ ¹ Tod's Rajasthan, Vol. I, p. 515. ² Kumbhalgarh Inscription verse, 241. ³ Nāgada, in olden days a famous town, was the capital of the rulers of Mewar. It is situated not very far from Eklingji. 157