Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan.Chittorgarh has always been the pride and glory of Rajasthan. Once the place full of citadels, graceful palaces and chhattris, today lies in ruins. But these ruins echo the tales of valour and romance of the past, very unique to Rajasthan and the Rajput people.
Chittor is famous for the beauty of Rani Padmini and the quest of Allauddin Khilji to overpower her. The legendary tale had a tragic end by Rani Padmini committing Jauhar or suicide rather than dishonouring herself in the hands of a foreigner. Since then Chittor has experienced many Jauhars and tragic ends adding to the tales of valour of the Rajput kings of this place.
STD Code of Chittorgarh : 01472
Best time to visit Chittorgarh : October to March
Languages Spoken in Chittorgarh : Rajasthani and Hindi
Climate in Chittorgarh :
The climate of Chittorgarh is quite dry and parched. The summer season extends from April to June and is quite hot. The average temperature in summers falls between 43.8° C to 23.8° C. The winter season lasts from October to February. Chittorgarh weather in the winters is pretty cool. The temperature averages around 28.37° C to 11.6° C. The monsoon season falls during the months of June to August. As far as climatic conditions of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan in monsoon are concerned, there is only slight rainfall that averages around 60 cm to 80 cm. The best time to visit Chittorgarh is between September to March.
Chittorgarh Tourist Attractions :
Chittorgarh Fort : The fort is an important landmark in Chittorgarh and is a must visit for tourists on a tour of Chittorgarh. The fort is believed to date back to the times of the Mauryas in the 7th century. The fort offers panoramic view of the area.
Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) : The imposing 37 meter high structure with nine storeys, covered with exquisite sculptures of Hindu deities and depicting episodes from the two great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharatha. It was built in 1440 A.D. by Maharana Kumbha, a powerful ruler of Mewar, to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat.
Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame) : The 22 meters high tower by a wealthy Jain merchant in the 12th century A.D. The tower is dedicated to Adinathji, the first of the Jain Tirthankaras and is decorated with figures of the Jain pantheon.
Rana Kumba Palace : The palace is another popular tourist attraction in Chittorgarh. The palace was the site of the last jauhar, when Akbar attacked Chittor. The palace houses a beautiful Shiva Temple and the royal stable. Padmini's Palace.
Fateh Prakash Palace : You can also visit Fateh Prakash Palace, which was built by Maharaja Fateh Singh in 1920. Built beautifully, the palace now has been converted into the government museum.
Padmini Palace : Built beside a pool, this is a magnificent palace. It was here that Rana Rattan Singh showed a glimpse of Rani Padmini to Allauddin Khilji. Rani Padmini stood in the Zenana Mahal, and her reflection was visible to Khilji in a mirror placed in the main hall. Khilji, after having a glimpse of the queen, was smitten by her beauty and with the passion to posses her invaded Chittaur.
Ratan Singh Palace : Ratan Singh Palace was built as a winter resort for the kings. Looking over a small lake, it presents a picturesque sight.
Temples in Chittorgarh :
Kalika Mata Temple : Originally built as a Sun Temple in the 8th century, the temple was later converted into Kalika Mata Temple in the 14th century A.D., dedicated to the mother Goddess Kali- the symbol of power and valor.
Meerabai Temple : The temple where Meerabai worshipped Lord Krishna is built in north Indian style on a raised plinth with a conical roof and beautiful inner sanctum. An open colonnade around the sanctum has four small pavilions in each corner.
Kumbha Shyam Temple : Built during the region of Rana Kumbha in the Indo-Aryan style, the temple is associated with the mystic poetess Meerabai, an ardent Krishna devotee. She was the wife of Prince Bhojraj.
Shopping in Chittorgarh :
Chittorgarh is also known for its some unique shopping items. Chittorgarh shopping destinations offer an interesting experience to the tourists. Some of the famous shopping places of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan are : Sadar Bazaar, Rana Sanga Market, New Cloth Market, Fort Road Market, Gandhi Chowk, Station Circle. A Chittorgarh shopping guide will include the following items for which the city is quite famous : Metal Ware, Fabrics, Thewa jewelry (gold designs embedded in glass), Colorful leather jutis (embroidered camel leather shoes), Akola fabrics (painted with vegetable dyes), Wooden painted toys (from Bassi village)
Accommodations in Chittorgarh :
Bijaipur Castle (Heritage Hotel) : The Bijaipur Castle was built in the 16th century by Rao Shakti Singh, the younger brother of the great patriot Maharana Pratap. It is not only an accommodation option for the tourists but also a gateway to the adjacent sanctuary which houses chinkaras, spotted deers, wild boar and four horned deer. The nearby 12th century Pangarh Fort overlooks the Lotus Lake, which covers 200 acres and provides a nice outing place for the tourists visiting this castle.
Bassi Fort (Heritage Hotel) : Bassi Fort that glorifies the history of Chundawat clan was built in the 16th Century by Thakur Jaimal of Sisodia dynasty, cousin of Maharana Pratap, and also the founder of Bassi principality. This Bassi Fort hunting Lodge, set amidst the serene Vindhyachal Ranges overlooks the Orai and Bassi Lakes, the perfect place for the adventure seekers. Ther tourists can also approach the Lodge either through lake by boat or driving through the sanctuary. Its towering gates, domes, arches, corridors and Mahals take you back to the Royal Magnificence of the past and the age of chivalry.
How to Reach Chittorgarh :
By Air : The nearest airport is the Maharana Pratap Airport at Udaipur, about 90 km from Chittorgarh city.
By Train : Chittorgarh is well connected by rail to other cities and towns of Rajasthan and India. The Chittorgarh railway station connects Chittorgarh to cities such as Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Udaipur and Delhi. In addition to this, you also have the option to travel by the Palace on Wheels luxury train.
By Road : There are regular bus services from Chittorgarh to other cities in Rajasthan and India. Bus services operate for Delhi, Mount Abu, Jaipur, Indore, Ajmer and many other towns.
