Chittorgarh
Brief
The pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittor echoes with the tales of romance and valour, unique to the Rajput tradition. Chittorgarh fort, stands on a 152 km high rocky hill, abruptly above the surrounding plains. The walls, 5 km long, enclose the deserted ruined citadel, where the royal past live in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatris. 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 saffron robes of martyrdom, and rode out of the fort, towards a certain death.
History
One of the oldest cities in Rajasthan, Bapu Rawal of the Bhil tribe, founded Chittorgarh in 728. From the 12th century, it became the centre of Mewar. Legend has it, that Allauddin Khilji saw the face of the regal beauty, queen Padmini in the reflection of a mirror. Struck by her mesmerizing beauty and overpowered by a passionate desire to possess her, he was the first, to sack Chittor in 1303 A.D. But the noble queen preferred to commit Jauhar. Later in 1533 A.D., came the second attack from Bahadur Shah and this time Rani Karnavati led Jauhar. In 1567 A.D., when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittor, her son Udai Singh, preferring discretion to valour, fled to establish a new capital, Udaipur. He left Chittor, to be defended by two 16-year-old heroes, who displaying true Rajput chivalry, died after Jauhar was performed. Immediately thereafter, Akbar razed the fort to a rubble. Chittor was never inhabited again, but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors
Culture
The city is famous for its rich heritage, associated with the era of Rajput chivalry, courage and valour and also the variable work of art.
Climate & Geogaphical Location
Chittorgarh is hot and dry in summer and cool and pleasant in winter. Chittorgarh stands on a 152 km high rocky hill , at an altitude of 408 meters.
How to Reach
Chittorgarh is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, Maharana Pratap airport, Udaipur at 90 km is the nearest airport and is well connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. By rail, Chittorgarh is the main railhead and is well connected to Delhi, Udaipur, Kota, Nimach, Khandawa, Ajmer and other cities. By road, Chittorgarh has a good network of roads and bus services , which operate to several important destinations. Delhi (583 km), Mount Abu (297 km), Jaipur (325 km), Indore (325 km) and Ajmer (185 km) away from Chittorgrah.
Tourist Places
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 legend, Sita, wife of Lord Rama stayed in this jungle in Rishi Valmikis Ashram, after Lord Rama exiled her. The common fauna that can be sighted here, includes leopard, hyena, jungle fox, porcupine, sambar, wild boar, four horned antelope, nilgai, and flying squirrel. The sanctuary is well-connected to Chittaurgarh by road.
Menal.
On the Bundi-Chittor road, amid natural beauty is Menal, famous for its ancient Shiva temples, picturesque water falls and dense forests. Menal is at a distance of 90 km from Chittaurgarh and well-connected by road.
Padminis Palace
Continuing south, you come to Padminis Palace, built beside a large pool with a pavilion in its centre. Legend relates that, as Padmini sat in this pavilion, Alauddin was permitted to see her reflection in a mirror in the palace. This glimpse was the spark that convinced him to destroy Chittor, in order to posses her. The bronze gates in this pavilion were carried off by Akbar and can now be seen in the fort at Agra.Continuing around the circular road, you pass the deer park, the Bhimlat Tank, the Surajpol and the Temple of Neelkanth Mahadev, before reaching the Tower of Fame.
Tower of Fame
Chittor's other famous tower, the 22m-high Kirti Stambha, or Tower of Fame, is older (probably built around the 12th century) and smaller than the Tower of Victory. Built by a Jain merchant, it is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar (revered Jain teacher), and is decorated with naked figures of the various Tirthankars,, thus indicating that it is a Digambara, or Sky Clad, monument. A narrow stairway leads through the seven storeys to the top.
Gaumukh Reservoir
Walk down beyond the temple and, at the very edge of the cliff, youll see this deep tank. A spring feeds the tank from a carved cows mouth in the cliff-side, from which the reservoir got its name. The opening here, leads to the cave in which Padmini and her compatriots, are said to have committed Jauhar.
Fateh Prakash Palace
Just beyond the Rana Kumbha Palace, this palace is much more modern (Maharana Fateh Singh died in 1930). It houses a small museum, and the rest of the building is closed. The museum is open daily, except on Friday. 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Entry is Rs. 3 (Free on Monday).
Tower of Victory
Continuing anticlock-wise around the fort, you come to the Jaya Stambh, or Tower of Victory. Erected by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji of Malwa in 1440, the tower was constructed between 1458 and 1468. It rises 37 m in nine storeys and you can climb the narrow stairs to the eighth storey. Watch your head on the lintels. Hindu sculpture adorns the outside of the tower, but the dome was damaged by lightning and repaired during the last century. Close to the tower is the Mahasati, an area where the Ranas were cremated, during Chittorgarh's period as the Mewar capital. (Mewar is the area encompassing Chittorgarh and Udaipur.) There are many sati stones here, commemorating women who burned on their husbands funeral pyres. The Sammidheshwar Temple stands in the same area.
Other
BASSI VILLAGE - Enroute to 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 - This 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. BIJAIPUR - A marvellous castle built by Rao Shakti Singh, the younger brother of Maharana Pratap, stands in the village. Presently, it has been converted into a heritage hotel. The village is connected to Chittaurgarh by road.DEOGARH - A 16th century magnificent fort, near Pratapgarh, with some beautiful palaces, ornate with murals and splendid Jain temples. MATRI KUNDIA TEMPLE -p opularly called the Haridwar of Mewar, the Matri Kundia temple, is a popular sacred place dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is connected to Chittaurgarh by road. NAGARI - One of the oldest towns of Rajasthan, of great importance during the Mauryan period, is situated on the banks of the River Bairach. The Hindu and Buddhist remains from the Mauryan and Gupta period, are found here. RANA KUMBHA PALACE - After entering the fort and turning right, you come almost immediately to the ruins of this palace. It has elephant and horse stables and a Shiva temple. One of the Jauhars, is said to have taken place in a vaulted cellar. SANWARIYAJI TEMPLE - On the Chittor-Udaipur road, it is a contemporary temple of Lord Krishna and an important pilgrimage spot.
Rajasthan Travel Guide
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Ashish Bhat - INDIA 25th June 2010Welcome to Incredible India, the land of prosperity which can be seen in its dynamic culture, age old traditions and geography.
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Welcome to Incredible India, the land of prosperity which can be seen in its dynamic culture, age old traditions and geography.Welcome to Incredible India, the land of prosperity which can be seen in its dynamic culture, age old traditions and geography.Welcome to Incredible India, the land of prosperity which can be seen in its dynamic culture, age old traditions and geography.
