Chittorgarh

The most romantic name in Rajasthan is Chittaur. Chittorgarh was founded by Bappa Rawal in 8th century and is situated at an altitude of 408 mts above sea level. The climate in Chittorgarh is very pleasant. In Summers it is about 23.8° Celsius and in winters it is about 11.6° Celsius. So, the best season to visit Chittorgarh is from September to March. Chittorgarh is known for its massive fort which is 3 miles long and 495 feet high and also for Vijaystambha and Kirtistambha (Tower of Victory). Mirabai, 16th century poet and Rani Padmini belongs to Chittorgarh. Rajasthani, Hindi and English are the languages which are spoken in Chittorgarh.

Chittaur is more than a ruined citadel; it is a symbol. It stands for all that was brave, true and noble in the Rajput tradition. Chittaur was sacked three times, and on each occasion the rite of Jauhar was performed. The first was in 1303 when Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi coveted the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini whose face he had seen reflecting on a mirror. Padmini led the Jauhar rather than submit to dishonour. The second was in 1533 when the Sultan of Gujarat attacked Bikramjeet of Chittaur. Rani Karnavati, a Bundi Princess, take the jauhar in which many women and children perished. Her own infant son, Udai Singh, was smuggled out of Bundi to preserve the line. Udai Singh returned as a child to Chittaur and he lived to inherit the throne of Chittaur. But his traumatic childhood had taught him that discretion was certainly to be preferred to valour, so when in 1567, Mughal Emperor Akbar beseiged Chittaur, Udai Singh escaped leaving its defence to two sixteen year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. They died in true Rajput tradition after the jauhar had been proclaimed and Akbar, taking no chances, razed the Fort to rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors. Udai Singh built his new capital in Udaipur.

The main tourist attraction in Chittorgarh is the Chittorgarh Fort. The Chittorgarh Fort is the indomitable pride of Chittor. The fort is massive structure with many gateways built in 7th century AD and perched on a height of 180 m hill and sprawls over 700 acres. The other places which can be visited in Chittorgarh are Tower of Victory, Kumbha Shyam Temple, Fateh Prakesh Palace Museum, Rana Kumbha Palace, Padmini Palace, Meera Temple, Kalika Mata Temple, Jaimal and Patta Palace.

By Air:
Udaipur which is about 112 km is the nearest airport.

By Rail:
By train, Chittorgarh is connected to Ajmer, Jaipur, Alwar, Delhi, Bundi, Kota, Udaipur, Ahmedabad and various other cities.

By Road:
Bus services operate between Chittorgarh and several other destinations in India and Rajasthan.

To know the distances from Chittorgarh click here.