Chittorgarh Fort: The Most Pompous Fort of India

Seeing is believing. Experiencing is living. A good life is when, apart from performing the daily chores of life, you take time to visit places and see what nature has left for us—exclusively to take a peek into the past and analyze how people lived in an age when cities and states were kingdoms, and emperors ruled. Though we all have read and heard a lot about that period, visiting the places where these kingdoms existed and where people lived is an experience that surpasses the excitement that anecdotes might generate. If you believe that visiting such a historical site would be more fruitful than reading or discussing about it, then the Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan is definitely for you.

Location

Named after the ancient yet charming city of Chittor in Rajasthan, Chittorgarh is one of the most popular forts in India. It is located majestically about 70 km from the city of Ajmer.

History

Dating back to the 7th century, this fort is famous for being the largest fort in India and was constructed by the great ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, Chitrangada Mori. According to research and records, this fort served as the capital of the Mewar state for an incredible 834 years. Records show that three crucial battles were fought here over a span of around 250 years to gain control of this fort.

• Also Read: Amazing Tourist Places To Visit in Chittorgarh

Structure

The fort occupies an area of 2.8 square kilometers and is built atop a hill 180 meters high. The Berach River flows next to the fort. A distinguishing characteristic of this fort is that it originally had 84 water bodies, which were used to store a total of 4 billion liters of water. These water resources were essential for the armies and fulfilled the needs of around 50,000 soldiers at a time. Today, only 22 of these water bodies remain.

The road that leads to the fort is a zig-zag shape, rising through the plains. Before reaching this road, visitors must cross a bridge built over the Gambhir River.

The entry to the fort is through seven gates, each depicting the insights of the architects who designed them in such a way that they could be used as defensive points. The pointed arches of the gates were reinforced so that they could fend off attacks by elephants and cannons. At the top of the gates are notched parapets, from which archers could shoot at the enemies approaching the fort.

Notable Structures Inside the Fort

• Vijaya Stambha (Tower of Victory): Built by Rana Kumbha as a symbol of his victory against Mahmud Shah I Khilji, this tower is 37.2 meters high, covering a base of 4.4 square meters. It took ten years to build and had a dome that was later damaged by lightning but was restored.
• Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame): This tower, built by a merchant named Jijaji Rathod, is dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara. It stands 22 meters high and occupies a space of 9.1 square meters at the base.
• Rana Kumbha Palace: Constructed with plastered stone, this palace houses a temple, stables for elephants and horses, and canopied balconies. It is also the birthplace of Maharana Udai Singh.
• Fateh Prakash Palace: This palace is now home to around 4,000 villagers.
• Gaumukh (Cow’s Mouth) Reservoir: A water reservoir originating from a cow’s mouth carved in a cliff.
• Padmini’s Palace: A beautiful three-story palace, reconstructed in the 19th century to replicate the original, surrounded by a moat.
• Meerabai Temple: Constructed in the Indo-Aryan architectural style, this temple is believed to be dedicated to Meerabai, who is famous for her devotion to Lord Krishna.
• Varaha Temple: Located in the same compound as the Meerabai Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Varaha.
• Kalika Mata Temple: This temple replaced the Sun Temple that was originally built on this site but destroyed in the 14th century.
• Tulja Bhavani Temple: Built on the western side of the fort, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Tulja Bhavani.

What to Do

Apart from visiting the various sections of the fort described above, you can also attend the Jauhar Mela, which is held annually, though the exact date is not fixed. It is said to commemorate the anniversary of Padmini’s Jauhar. Jauhar was a tradition in which royal women would end their lives rather than fall into the hands of their enemies.

The entrance fee for Indian citizens is Rs.5, while for international tourists, the fee is Rs.100.

Eat, Drink, Collect

Some of the famous hotels that serve authentic Rajasthani, Indian, and Mughlai cuisines near the fort are Pratap Palace, Hotel Meera, Castle Bijaipur, Bassi Fort, and Hotel Padmini. In addition to these outlets, there are several other restaurants and bars across the city where you can relax and enjoy meals and drinks.

When in Chittorgarh, don’t forget to visit the main market areas, including Sadar Bazaar, Fort Road Market, and Station Circle, where you can buy handmade toys, leather goods, fabrics, and various other local products.

Being one of the major tourist destinations, there are many hotels that provide accommodation to visitors, with room prices ranging from Rs.2,000 to Rs.9,000 per night.

Best Time to Visit

Chittorgarh’s temperatures rise considerably, so it’s advisable to carry good-quality sunglasses, caps, sunscreen, and other items to beat the heat. These will come in handy even if you are unable to plan your trip during the cooler months between September and March. You will still be able to explore the majestic beauty this place has to offer.

How to Reach

Reaching Chittorgarh Fort is easy. It is well connected by road and rail to major cities in Rajasthan and other states. The nearest airport to Chittorgarh Fort is in Udaipur, around 56 miles away.

• Also Reads on: Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Rajasthan