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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.
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;
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.
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