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 center 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 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.

FOOD

Being a small place the eating options are fairly limited. The small hotels or lodges have restaurants, however, the cleanliness standards are not particularly impressive! Its cuisine ranges from continental to Indian tandoori, also offers buffet dinners and a small, affordable joint dishing out decent South Indian and tandoori food.

SHOPPING

Know for its wooden painted toys made in the surrounding villages, and thewa gold jewellery in its own distictive style. Also Akola printed fabrics and leather juttees made in Gangrar.

ENTERTAINMENT

Chittorgarh Fort A standing sentinel to the courage and valour of Chittaurgarh, it stands tall over a 180 meter high hillock, covering a massive area of 700 acres. The fort is believed to have been built by the Maurya rulers in 7th century AD.

LOCATION

Is in eastern Rajasthan and 135 km from Jaipur in the southwest direction. It is easily accessible from major cities like Bikaner (233 km) and Kota (201 km).

By Air

IA flies to Udaipur thrice a week from Delhi and daily from Mumbai. The Dabok Airport is in Udaipur (90 km). Another major airport is Jaipur, which is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta and has regular IA, Jet and Sahara flights.

By Rail

Chittorgarh lies on a major rail route and is well connected to Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota and Bundi. Additionally, there are local trains from Chittor to Kota and Bundi. The Railway station is centrally located, at a short distance from the Fort.

By Road

There are regular bus services to Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Kota, Bundi, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Indore. For further information contact the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation Bus Stand .The Bus terminus is at a convenient distance from the station and the Fort.

CLIMATE

Typically desert temperatures ranging from 23.8ºC to 43.8ºC in the summers and 11.6ºC to 28.3ºC in the winters.

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.

Continuing south, you come to Padminis Palace, built beside a large pool with a pavilion in its center. 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 orders 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.

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).

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.

On the Bundi-Chittor road, amid natural beauty is Menal, famous for its ancient Shiva temples, picturesque waterfalls and dense forests. Menal is at a distance of 90 km from Chittaurgarh and well connected by road.

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.

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.

BIJAIPUR - A marvelous 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 - It was popularly 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. SANWARIYAJI TEMPLE - On the Chittor-Udaipur road, it is a contemporary temple of Lord Krishna and an important pilgrimage spot. BASSI VILLAGE - Enroute to Bundi, is a marvelous village with historical forts, temples and kunds. Especially famous are its sculptures and woodcraft. It is 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.