Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh is the main city of Rajasthan and located on the on the banks of river Gambhiri and Berach. It was a former capital of the Sisodia Rajput time of Mewar. Nowadays it is the administrative headquarters of Chittorgarh District.

Chittorgarh has a Chittor Fort, the largest fort in India and Asia. It faced of three major sieges in 1303, 1535, and 1567–1568 by Muslim invaders.  Hindu rulers fought fiercely for independence. Whenever they reach close to defeat then men fought till to his last breath and women committed suicide by jauhar. Chittor is also famous for Meera and Panna Dai.

Tourist Places in Chittorgarh

Chittorgarh Fort

The Chittor Fort or Chittorgarh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is one of the biggest forts in India. The fort was the capital of Mewar. It sprawls over a hill over an area of 691.9 acres. The fort complex has numerous historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent memorial towers.

The fort was controlled by the Mewar Empire in the 7th century. From the 9th to 13th centuries, Paramara dynasty ruled here. In 1303, the Turkic ruler Alauddin Khalji defeated Rana Ratan Singh and took the fort. In 1535 Bahadur Shah defeated Bikramjeet Singh and captures the fort. In 1567 Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II. After these defeats, the men committed saka, where they fought in the battlefield expecting death, while the women had to committed jauhar or mass self-immolation.  Rani Karnavati did jauhar on 8 March 1535 and led it.

Kalika Mata Temple

Kalika Mata Temple is a Hindu temple of 8th-century which is located within the Chittor Fort. It is said that it is before Maharana Pratap. Thousands of visitors visit every day. The goddess who is worshipped at this temple is goddess Bhadrakali, clan goddess of Panwar(Mori Panwar)clan. The Mori Panwar Clan is the descendants of Chitrangna Mori who made Chittorgargh. Kalika Mata is worshiped as a Kuldevi of Mori Panwar Clan.

Vijay Stambh

The Vijaya Stambha is a grand victory monument within Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh. The tower is devoted to Vishnu which was built by the Rana Kumbha of Mewar king in 1448. It was built to remember the win over the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat led by Mahmud Khilji. The Vijaya Stambha is a significant example of religious pluralism by the Rajputs. The topmost is an image of the Padmavati, Jain Goddess.

Kirti Stambh

Kirti Stambha is 22 meter high a tower which is situated at Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh town.  It was made in 12th-century by a Jain merchant Jeeja Bhagerwala during the period of Rawal Kumar Singh. Chittor was an ancient center of Jain tradition. Acharya Haribhadra Suri was born in Chittor and wrote Dhurtopakhyana.

Rani Padmini's Palace

Rani Padmini's Palace is the same palace where the Delhi Sultanate ruler came to see the rani Padmini. It is said that Alauddin Khalji was only permitted to see a reflection of the Rani in the mirror.  Even He was not allowed to turn his back to see the room. Rani's husband Rawal Ratan Singh warned the Khalji that if he turned back they would cut his neck.

Rana Kumbha's Palace

Rana Kumbha's Palace is located near the Vijay Stambh. It is also the birthplace of Maharana Udai Singh who was the founder of Udaipur. Maid Panna Dhay saved his life. She changed her son in place of the prince. In this way her son was killed by Banbir. She took the prince far in a fruit basket. Rani Meera Bai was also lived here. This is the same place where Rani Padmini committed jauhar with the other ladies.

Festivals of Chittorgarh

Gangaur Festival

Gangaur is one of the most popular and important local festivals in Rajasthan. Gan is a Lord Shiva and Gauri or Gaur is Goddess Parvati. Gangaur celebrates the union of Gan and Gauri and is a symbol of marital happiness.

It is celebrated in Chaitra (March–April) which is the first month of the Hindu calendar. This festival is celebrated particularly by women. The clay idols of "Gan" & "Gauri" idols are worshiped by the girls who want the blessings of Gan and Gauri for a good partner, while the married women worship for long life of their husbands. Women decorate their palms with Mehdi. A procession of Gangaur begins from the City which passes through several areas of the city. The procession has chariots, bullock carts and folk artists who performed.

Teej

Teej is the festival of swings which is one of the major festivals in Chittorgarh. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the month of August.  It is symbol of beginning of the monsoon month of Shravan (August). Swings are hung from trees. Girls and women wear green clothes and sing songs in celebration of the starting of the monsoon. This festival is devoted to the Goddess Parvati for remembering her union with Lord Shiva.

Maharana Pratap Jayanti

The Maharana Pratap was born 9 May 1540, in Kumbhalgarh. He was a true patriot who started the first war of independence. His father was Maharana Udai Singh II and mother was Rani Jaivanta Bai Songara. Maharana Pratap Jayanti which is His birth anniversary is celebrated as a festival each year on the 3rd day of Jyestha Shukla phase.

On Maharana Pratap Jayanti day, Special puja and processions are held everywhere. In his remembrance Cultural programs like debate are also organized.

Meera Mahotsav

Meera Bai was a follower of God Krishna in 1498 -1547. Meera was born in Metra. She was Rajpur Princess. Meera Bai was exponents of the Prema Bhakti (Divine Love) and a poet. Ratan Singh was his father who was the youngest son of Rao Duda. He was the ruler of Merta and founder of Jodhpur. She was married to King Bhoj Raj of Chittor.

Meera Smrithi Sansathan or Meera Memorial Trust arranges Meera Mahotsav on Sharad Purnima day. It is the day of Mirabai's birth anniversary and celebrated for 3 days every year. Musicians and singers celebrate to sing bhajans and also perform puja's, discussions, dances and fireworks.

Jauhar Mela

The biggest Rajput festival is called the "Jauhar Mela" are held in Chittorgarh.  Three jauhars that are happened at Chittorgarh Fort in which Padmini's jauhar is the most famous. This festival is held mainly to remember the bravery of Rajput families. On this day, a large number of Rajputs and the descendants of most of the princely families hold a procession to celebrate the Jauhar.

Rang Teras

Rang Teras is a tribal fest of Mewar. It is celebrated in the month of Chaitra on the 13th moon night since 15th century. It is very colorful and thanksgiving festival in which large crowd gathered of tribal to rejoice the harvest of wheat. Farmers thank and pay their honor to Mother Earth for giving them food for next year.

How to Reach

By Air: Nearest Airpot is Maharana Pratap Airport or Udaipur Airport. It is away from 80kms from the center of the city. Buses and Cabs are simply available from Airport to Chittorgarh city.

By Train: The nearest Railway station is Chittorgarh Railway Station. Chittorgarh is well connected by railway networks with major railway stations of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Jaipur. 

By Road: Chittorgarh is well connected by roads and highways with northern states of India. Ac and normal Buses and private cars to Chittorgarh are easily available from Delhi and other parts of North India.

Best time to visit

May June is quite hot at Chittorgarh. The best time is winter season. The best and enjoyable time is to visit Chittorgarh from September to March.