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Travel Guide >> Chittorgarh Travel Guide
Chittorgarh Travel Guide
Chittourgarh- The town of the brave, known for its massive fort atop a hill,
which can be singled out for its glorious past.
The fort has checkered history, it has witnessed some of the bloodiest battles
iln history, three great Sakas and some of the most heroic deeds of valor,
which are still sung by the local musicians. The antiquity of Chittaurgarh
is difficult to trace, but it is believed that Bhim the legendary figure
of the Mahabharta, visited this place to learn the secrets of immortality
and became the disciple of a sage, but his impatience to perform all the
rites deprived him of his goal, and out of sheer anger he stamped on ground
creating water reservoir, this reservoir is called as Bhim Lat. Later on,
it came under the Mauryas or Muri Rajputs, there are different opinions
as to when ilt came under the Mewar ruler, but it remained the capital of
Mewar till 1568, when it was shifted to Udaipur.
It is believed that Bappa Rawal the legendary founder of the Sisodia clan,
received Chittaur in the middle of 8th century, as a part of the dowry after
marriage with the last Solanki princess, after that his descendants ruled
Mewar which stretched from Gujarat to Ajmer, upto the 16th century.
Places to Visit
The Fort:
A standing sentinel to the courage and valor of Chittaurgarh, it stands
tall over a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres.
The fort is belileved to have been built by the Maurya rulers in 7th century
AD. The important monuments inside the fort are :
VIJAY STAMBH OR 'VICTORY TOWER:
Built by Rana Kumbha in 1440 , to commemorate the victory over the combined
forces of the kings of neighboring Malwa and Gujarat, this tower is 120ft.
(36.5mts) high and has a girth of 30 ft. at the base, the nine storied high
limestone structure is richly ornamented from top to bottom.
KIRTI STAMBH OR 'TOWER OF FAME:
Built iln the 12th century, dedicated to Lord Sri Adinath Rishab deo, the
first Jain Tirthankar. The 22 metre high structure ils rdeplete with figures
from Jain pantheon. There are several other Jain temples iln Chittaurgarh.
RANA KUMBHA'S PALACE:
The largest monument of the fort, it is believed that Rani Padmini committed
Jauhar, in once of these underground cellars. The palace is in ruins but
generates historical as well as architectural interest. The original palace
was believed to have been built by Rana Hamir after regaining the fort in
the first siege. The Mewar power reached its acme during Rana Kumbha's time,
he was a great patron of art and architecture, which is amply reflected
in the palace.
PADMINI PALACE:
The palace of Rani Padmini who preferred death before dishonor, and committed
Johar, along with her entire entourage before falling into the hands of
Allauddin Khilji. It was here that Rana Ratan Singh allowed a glimpse of
the legendary beauty to Allauddin Khilji. The Zanana Mahal overlooks the
pond, Padmini stood over here and the reflection of her was shown in the
water to Allauddin Khilji.
MEERA TEMPLE:
The temple is dedicated to the mystic poetess Meera, and a devotee of Lord
Krishna. Meera was born in Kurki village near Merta to Ratan Singh Rathors,
and was married to Bhojraj son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. Legends say that
she consumed poison set by Vikramaditya but nothing happended to her due
to the blessings of Lord Krishna. In front of the temple is the cenotaph
(chhatri) of Meera Bai's Guru Shri Rai Das of Banaras, inside the cenotaph
is carved a figure of five human bodies with one head, depicting that all
castes are equal and even outcasts can attain God.
KUMBHA SHYAM TEMPLE:
Thetemple dedicated to Varah (Boar), the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It
was built in 1448 AD. By Rana Kumbha Mahasati cenotaphs The cremation site
of the Ranas and their wives, the sites are marked with Chhatris.
KALIKA MATA TEMPLE:
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, the symbol of power and valour.
Situated towards the southern side of the fort, it was built by Rana Hamir.
Originally it was built as a Sun Temple by Bappa Rawal in the 8th century,
but ws destroyed during the first sack of Chittaur. Rana Hamir converted
it into a Kali temple on regaining the fort in the 14th century. The house
of Chunda is situated near the temple. There are several other temples,
within the ramparts of the fort like that of the temple of Annapurana, Jain
Temples etc.
JAIMAL AND PATTA'S PALACE:
Theruins of this palace remind once of the story of the gallant Rathores
Jaimal and Sisodia Patta the two great warriors, who layed down their lives
for the honour of Chittaurgarh.
GOVERNMENT MUSEUM:
The magnificent Fateh Prakash Mahal has been converted into a museum, which
houses a rare and rich collectino of sculptures from the fort and the temples.
(Friday Closed)
GAUMUKH(COW'S MOUTH RESERVOIR) :
Situated near the Mahasati Chowk, the water from a spring flows through
a stone structure carved in the form of a cow's mouth into the reservoir.
MOHAR MAGRI (HILL OF GOLD COINS):
A small structure which was raised during the invasion of Chittaurgarh by
Akbar in 1567, it gets the name Mohar Magri because it is believed that
Emperor Akbar paid one mohar (gold coin) for each basketful of earth placed
on the mound, as the work was very dangerous, brave soldiers guarding the
the ramparts fromabvoe. The mound was raised to such a height that the Mughal
cannons could be placed over it and fired inside the fort. The important
places inside are, the temple of Tulja Bhawani (the tutelary goddess of
the scribes), the Naulakha Bhandar or nine lakh treasury, Singar Chauri,
depicting inscriptions dating back to 1448 AD. Sat -bis-Deori, the old Jain
temple etc.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Population:
71,566 Area: 7sq.km.
Altitude:
408mts
Climate:
SummerMax.33.8*c, Min.11.6*c winter Max. 28.3*c, Min. 11.6*c
Clothing:
Summer Light Cottons, Winter Woolens Best Season; Oct. To Mar.
Language:
Rajasthani, Hindi & Gujarati.
Chittorgarh Travel
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