India Travel Guide

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Chittorgarh

The city of Chittorgarh and the Fort are situated at the distance of 112 kilometers away from Udaipur. It is built on a 550 feet high hill and occupies an area of about 750 acres in about 8 miles of circumference. This fort was built by Chitranganda Moraya in 7th century AD, and is called 'Chitrakut'. The name Chitrakut can be seen on the old coins of Mewar state. According to Colonel James Todd, Bappa Rawal captured this fort from the last Maurya ruler in the year 728 AD, and established the Guhil rule. The pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittor echoes with the tales of romance and valor unique to the Rajput Tradition. Cittor was attacked number of times by Muslim invaders.

The first attack was by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 AD, who was enamored by the beauty of Queen Padmini. Rani Padmini preferred death to abduction and dishonor and committed jauhar along with the other ladies. The second attack was in 1535 by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat on Bikramjeet. The third instance was in 1567 when Akbar attacked during the time of Maharana Udai Singh. This final attack was complete when the army looted and destroyed all the buildings. The Mewars were forced to shift their capital to Udaipur. Chittor stands for the heroism, chivalry, valor and sacrifice, all inbuilt characteristics of Rajputs.

How to Reach Chittorgarh

By Air
Udaipur is the nearest airport. Daily flight form Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Lucknow are available to Udaipur

By Bus
Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Jaipur to Chittaurgarh. It is also connected by road to Delhi, Mount Abu, Chittaurgarh, Bundi and Udaipuri.

By Train
Chittaurgarh has rail links with Ahmedabad, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kota, Alwar and Delhi.

Places of Tourist Interest

The Chittor Fort - There are seven gates in this historical fort - the Padan pole, Bhairon pole, Hanuman pole, Ganesh pole, Jodha pole, Laxman pole and Ram pol gates. The seventh gate Ram in the west is the main entrance gate to the fort. There is a temple of Ram on right hand side of this gate. There are several places in the fort to that remind us of the bravery of Rajputs but some of them deserve special attention.

Navalakha Bhandar - There is a wall (burj) and a room in the western part of the fort. It is said that the royal treasure was kept here in old time. There was also a safe place to keep the weapons and gunpowder.

Shringar chanwari - There is a Chhatri of six pillars and it is said that it was built for the marriage of the daughter of Maharana Kumbha. But according to the letters on the stone these should be the Jain temples one can see the statue of Parswanath the Jain Tirthankar and the dancing
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Maharana Kumbha's Palaces - The ruined edifice of great historical and architectural interest, being the most massive monument in the fort of Chittor. Maharana Kumbha reconstructed these palaces. Through almost in ruins the palaces include Suraj Mahal, Janana Mahal, Kanwarpada Mahal. There is also a Shiva temple here. These palaces were witness to the legendry sacrifice of Panna - the royal nurse and birth of Prince Udai Singh's (founder of Udaipur city) and Jauhar of Queen Padmini.

Fateh Prakash - Maharana Fateh Singh of Udaipur built it. A statue of Lord Ganesh and a statue of Maharana Fateh Singh are present in this palace.

Shrinagar Chauri - Jain temple was built in 1448 A.D. in the ruling period of Rana Kumbha Vijay Stambha - The victory tower was built by Maharana Kumbha in the year 1448 to commemorate his victory over the joint attacks of Sultan Mahmood Shah of Malwa and Sultan Kutubuddin Shah of Gujarat. The famous Vijay pillar stands on a 12 feet high and 48 feet square elevated platform and has a height of 123 feet. Vijay Stambha itself has nine stores and the visitors can reach to the upper story through 157 steps. Width of this Stambha at the base is 31 feet. The interiors and exteriors of the entire structure are delicately carved showing Hindu deities and mythical characters with names.

Meera temple - There is a small temple stands in the premises of Kumbha Shyam temple believed to be associated with famous devotee Meera Bai.

Samisheshwar temple - This Shiva temple was built by Raja Bhoj of Malwa and later rebuilt by Maharaja Mokal in the year 1426 AD. There is three-faced statue of Lord Shiva in this temple.

Kalika Mandir - It was originally a temple dedicated to Sun god but later became a temple to worship Goddess Kali. The Guhil rulers built it in 8th or 9th century. A large fair takes place at the time of Navratri.

Palace of Padmini - There is a palace at the bank of a lake and another palace can be seen in the middle of the lake. It is said that Allauddin Khilji had viewed the image of Queen Padmini from this very place.

Kirthi stambha - These 70 feet high and seven-storied tower was built by Jain Mahajan Jeeja in 12th century. It is dedicated to Jain Tirthankar Lord Adinath whose 5 feet statue are incurved in ass the four faces of the structure and many other statues in carving also can be seen at the interior and outer part of the tower. A Jain temple of Mahaveer Swami is also standing nearby. It was rebuilt during the period of Mahararana Kumbha.

Menal - 95 Kms. on the Bundi-Chittor raod amid the natural beauty is Menal, famous for its ancient Shiva Temple, picturesque, water falls and dense forest.

Nav Torana Temple - 35 Km from the Chittorgarh, 11th century temple at Khor famous for its unique & huge statue of Lord Vishnu in the form of a wild boar called "VARAH".