Chittorgarh – In the Valiant Town
Chittorgarh is located in the south-eastern part of Rajasthan state on the banks of river Gambhiri and Berach.
Chittorgarh men and women are known for their bravery, chivalry, heroism and pride. The history of Chittorgarh is most captivating, telling stories of the innumerable sieges and sacrifices which has become a myth now.
The fortifications and palaces in Chittorgarh lie mostly in ruins and shambles. Chittorgarh Fort is constructed on a 180 m high hill and covers an area of about 700 acres. The fort wall runs a distance of 5 km. Within the fort are the Vijay Stambh and the Kirti Stambh. Vijay Stambh is a nine storey victory tower built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. There are sculptures and carvings on the exterior walls of the tower. The Kirti Stambh was erected in memory of Rishabha, the first Jain Tirthankara.
The Kalika Mata Temple, though originally built in the 8th century as a Sun Temple, was later converted to a temple for Goddess Kali in the 14th century.
Rana Kumbha’s Palace, near the Vijay Stambh, is the birthplace of Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur. His life was saved by the heroic act of the wet nurse Panna Dai, who replaced her son in place of the prince, resulting in her son getting killed by Banbir. She carried the prince away to safety in a fruit basket. Rani Meera Bai also lived in this palace. This is the place where Rani Padmini committed jauhar with the other ladies in one of the underground cellars.
Rani Padmini’s Palace is from which Alauddin Khilji was allowed to watch a reflection of the Rani in a lotus pool. Besotted by her beauty, Khilji kidnapped her husband Rawal Ratan Singh and told the Rani to surrender to him. The Rajputs then sent palanquins loaded with soldiers; to trick the Mughals into believing that the Rani and the other Rajput women were inside. The soldiers fought with the Mughal army till they were all killed. Then all the Rajput women committed jauhar, jumping into the funeral pyre and consumed before the enemy forces marched in. When the Sultan and his army entered the palace all they could find were 30,000 burning bodies; the largest jauhar had been committed here.
The Golden Quadrilateral highway system passes through Chittorgarh town, connecting it to the rest of India. The nearest railway station is Chittorgarh station. The nearest airport is Dabok, Udaipur, 112 km away from Chittorgarh. State owned buses from Rajasthan and private vehicles run services to Chittorgarh.
The summer months can be very hot. The best time to visit is during the winter months from October to March.
For More Info: Places To Visit in Chittorgarh and Chittorgarh Tourism
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