Chittaurgarh

110 km from Udaipur and 300 km from Jaipur was founded by Bappa Rawal in 8th century. Known for the massive fort 3 mile long and 495 feet high. Mirabai, 16th century poet and saint was from here. Also known fro Vijaystambha, Kirtistambha (Tower of Victory), and Rani Padmini.

Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in 1303 A.D. overpowered by a passionate desire to possess the regal beauty, queen Padmini. Legend has it, that he saw her face in the reflection of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerising beauty. But the noble queen preferred death to dishonour and committed ‘Jauhar’.

In 1533 A.D., during the rule of Bikramjeet, came the second attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karanavati, a Bundi princess. Her infant son, Udai Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. He learnt from his traumatic childhood that discretion is preferred to valour. So in, 1567 A.D. when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a new Capital, Udaipur-a beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur to be defended by two 16 year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry and died after ‘Jauhar’ was performed. Immediately thereafter Akbar razed the fort to a rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors.

Culture
The pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur echoes with the tales of romance and vlour unique to the Rajput tradition. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chattris. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was ‘Jauhar’-when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain death.

Excursion

The Fort
The indomitable pride of Chittaur, the fort is a massive structure with many gateways built by the later Maurya rulers in 7th century A.D. Perched on a height of 180 m. high hill, it sprawls over 700 acres. The tablets and chattris within are impressive reminders of the Rajput heroism.The main gates are Padal Pol, Bhairon Pol Hanuman pol and Ram Pol. The fort has many magnificent monuments-alll fine examples of the Rajput architecture. The ancient ruins of the fort are worth spending few moments in solitude.

Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower)
Theimposing 37 metre high structure with nine storeys, covered with exquisite sculputres of Hindu deities and depicting episodes from the two great epics-Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame)
The 22 metres high tower by a wealthy jain merchant in the 12th century A.D. The tower is dedicated to Adinathji,the first of the Jain Tirthankaras and is decorated with figures of the Jain pantheon.

Rana Kumbha’s Palace
The ruined edifice of great historical and architectural interest, being the most massive monument in the fort of Chittaur. The palace is believed to have underground cellars where Ranio Padmini and other women committed Jauhar.

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Meerabai Temple
The temple where Meerabai worshipped Lord Krishna is built in north Indian style on a raised plinth with a conical roof and beautiful inner sanctum. An open colonnade around the sanctum has four small pavillions in each corner.

This temple was built during the reign of Maharana Kumbha and later given to Mira Bai when she needed a place to worship Lord Krishna, the main subject of her poems. It is a good example of Rajput architecture, designed in North Indian style on a raised plinth, with a conical roof over the inner sanctum. The dome is carved in a circle of five human bodies with one head that symbolises belief that the people of the four castes (Varnas), as well as the fifth caste Harijans, can all realise God. Within the sanctum are paintings of Lord Krishna and of Mira Bai in devotion (bhakti) to the god. The open colonnade around the sanctum has four small pavilions. A small chhatri stands in the temple's forecourt, said to have been built in memory of Mira's saintly guru, Rai Das (SwamiRavidas) of Varanasi, a Harijan. The saint's footprints are marked on the floor of this small shrine.

Padmini’s Palace
Built beside a pool, the palace is a magnificent one. It was here that Rana Ratan Singh showed a glimpse of queen Padmini to Alauddin Khilji. Rani Padmini stood in a ‘Zanana Mahal’- a pavilion in the centre and her reflection was visible to Alauddin Khilji in a mirror placed in the main hall. After having a glimpse of the legendary beauty, Alauddin went to the extend on ravaging Chittaur in order to possess her.

Kumbha Shyam Temple
Built during the region of Rana Kumbha in the Indo-Aryan style, the temple is associated with the mystic poetess Meerabai- an ardent Krishna devotee. She was the wife of Prince Bhojraj.

Situated on the on the eastern side of Chittorgarh, the Kumbha Shyam Temple is dedicated to Varah, the Boar incarnation of Vishnu. This temple was erected by Maharana Kumbha on a base laid in the 9th century AD. A large image of Garuda, the mythical bird, is in front of the temple, under a canopy supported by pillars. A fine example of Indo-Aryan style of temple architecture, this temple has a soaring Shikra, a mandap (porch or pillared hall) covered with a stepped, pyramid-shaped roof, and a pardakshina (colonnaded walkway) around the sanctum. There is a small pavilion at each of the four corners. The sanctum has beautiful idols depicting Lord Vishnu in different moods, and carvings of life in the 15th century. It is believed that, originally, this temple was a Vishnu Varah temple but was destroyed during Mughal attacks.

Kalika Mata Temple
Originally built as a Sun Temple in the 8th century, the temple was later converted into Kalika Mata Temple in the 14th century A.D., dedicated to the mother Goddess Kali- the symbol of power and valour.

Across form Padmini place is the Kalika Mata Temple, an 8th-century temple originally dedicated to Surya or the Sun God but later converted to a temple to the goddess Kali. The temple architecture is of the early Paramara (Pratihara) period.It was built upon a large raised plinth, and features beautiful carvings and sculptures on the exterior and the mandap (pillared hall), also on the pillars, ceiling and gates of the shrine. Unfortunately, today it has lost its spire and also reveals vestiges of considerable repairs, but its beauty remains an inspiration, but not for Sultan Ala-ud-din khilji. After the first sack of Chittor in 1303, he and his Muslims destroyed the temple.

Once a year a fair takes place here in which thousands of visitors from distant places participate. Of similar style are the ruins of a small temple and a colonnade near the Mahasati, the fort's royal cremation ground.

Government Museum
The magnificent Fateh Prakash Mahal, presently a fine Museum with an exquisite example of sculputres from temples and buildings in the fort is worth a visit. Entry fee Rs. 2.00. Closed on Fridays.

Jaimal and Patta Palaces
The ruins of palaces of Rathore Jaimal and Sisodia Patta are witness to the gallantry of these great warriors.

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Nagari (20 km)
One of the oldest towns of Rajasthan of great importance during the Mauryan period, is situated on the banks of River Bairach. The Hindu and Buddhist remains from the Mauryan and Gupta period are found here.

Seven Kilometers from Bassi, on the Chittaurgarh road, is Nagri, one of the oldest towns in Rajasthan. Hindu and Budhdhist remains from the Mauryan to Gupta periods have been found here. Many old copper coins and sculptures discovered here are now is museums in Chitaurgarh and Udaipur.

Bassi Village (25 km)
Enroute Bundi is a marvellous village with historical forts temples and kunds. Especially famous are its sculptures and woodcraft. A place of great tourist interest.

Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary (50 sq. km.)
Sanctuary near Bassi, supports a population of panthers, wild boars, antelopes mongoose and migratory birds. Prior permission has to be obtained from the District Forest Officer, Chittaurgarh before visiting the sanctuary.

Sanwariyaji Temple (40 km)
on the Chittaur-Udaipur road is a contemporary temple of Lord Krishna, an important pilgrimage spot.

Matri Kundia Temple
A popular sacred place dedicated to Lord Shiva. Popularly called Haridwar of Mewar.

Bijaipur (40 km)
A marvellous castle buit by Rao Shakti Singh, the younger brother of Maharana Pratap, stands in the village. Presently, it has been converted into a heritage hotel.

Sita Mata Sanctuary,Dhariyavad
This thickly wooded jungle sprawls over the Aravalli ranges and the Malwa plateau with three rivers flowing through the forest. According to the legend, Sita, Wife of Lord Rama stayed in this jungle in Rishi Valmiki’s Ashram after she was exiled by Lord Rama.

The common fauna that can be sighted here includes leopard , hyena, jungle fox,porcupine,sambhar,wild boar, four horned antelope, nilgai and flying squirrel.

Deogarh (125 km)
A 16th century magnificent fort near Pratapgarh with some beautiful palaces ornate with murals and splendid jain temples

Menal (90 km)
On the Bundi-Chittaur road amid the natural beauty is Menal, famous for its ancient Shiva temples, picturesque water falls and dense forests.

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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.

Getting around
Both unmetered taxi and tonga can be hired from either the railway station or the bus station. Bicycle can also be rented to visit the fort.

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