Rajasthan Travel and Tourism

Chittaurgarh

The Epitome Of Romance And Valour

The pride and glory of Rajasthan, Chittaur echoes with the tales of romance and valour unique to the Rajput tradition. A ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular chhatris. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was Jauhar, when women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain death.

Alauddin Khilji was the first to sack Chittaur in J303 A.D., overpowered by a passionate desire to possess the regal beauty, queen Padmini. Legend has it, that he saw her face in the reflection of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerizing beauty. But the noble queen preferred death to dishonor and committed ‘Jauhar’.

In 1533 A.D., during the rule of Bikramjeet, came the second attack from Bhadhur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karnavati, a Bundi princess. Her infant son, Udai Singh was smuggled out of Chittaur to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. He learnt from his traumatic childhood that discretion is preferred to valour. So, in 1567 A.D., when the Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaur, Udai Singh fled to establish a new Capital, Udaipur : a beautiful lake city, leaving behind Chittaur to be defended by two 16 year old heroes, Jaimal of Bednore and Patta of Kelwa. These young men displayed true Rajput chivalry and died after ‘Jauhar ‘ was performed. Immediately thereafter Akbar razed the fort to a rubble. Chittaur was never inhabited again but it always asserted the heroic spirit of Rajput warriors.

General Information

Area : 6.5 sq. km.
Altitude : 408 meters
Climate : Mean Max. Mean Min.
Summer : 43.8 C 23.8 C
Winter : 28.37 C 11.6 C
Rainfall : 60 85 cms.
Best Season : September-March
Clothing : Summer Light Tropical Winter Light Woolen
Languages : English, Hindi, Rajasthani.

Gardens & Parks

I. Mahaveer Park
Mahaveer park is a beautifully laid out park with a tiny museum housing ancient stone carved statues.

II. Safed Akhara (Sidheswara Mahadev Temple Complex)
It is a tiny yet pretty garden near Barmer, Temporary accommodation and cooking facilities are available.

III. Neemari
Neemari is another picturesque garden on chohatan route, 23km away from Barmer. An old swimming pools is an attraction.

The Museum

Once the royal residence of Emperor Akbar, the museum houses a rich repository of the Mughal and Rajput armor and exquisite sculptures.

Taragarh Fort

A steep one and half hour climb beyond the Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpra leads to the ruins of the Taragarh Fort, perched on a hill. One can have an excellent view of the city from here. The fort was the site of the military activity during the Mughal period later used as a sanatorium by the British.

The Suraj Pole or Sun Gate

It is the main entrance to the fort. Among the notable of these palaces are the exquisitely beautiful Chandra Mahal or the Moon Palaces with marvelous painting mirrors and carved marble panels, and the Phool Mahal or flower palace ornate with glass and mirror work. Other palaces worth visiting are the Anup Mahal, Karan Mahal, Dungar Niwas, Ganga Niwas, Gaj Mandir and Rang Mahal. Gigantic columns, arches and graceful screens adorn the palaces from within. The Har Mandir is the majestic chapel for the royal family for worshipping their gods and goddess.

Sariska (37km)

The 765.80 sq km thickly wooded reserve cradled in the picturesque valley of Aravalli’s. Established in 1955, it is an excellent tiger sanctuary under the project Tiger. The dry deciduous forest of the Reserve are noted for their population of tiger, nilgai Sambhar, cheetal, four horned antelope and wild boar.

Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra

A remarkable structure, this is a masterpiece of Indo Islamic architecture located on the outskirts of the city. Just beyond the Dargah. As the legend goes, its construction took two and a half days. (Adhai-Din) to complete. It was originally a Sanskrit college, built within a temple. In 1193 A.D. Mohammad Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by adding a seven arched wall in front of the pillared hall in just two-and-a-half days (adhai-din) and hence the name. The district pillars and arched “screen with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.

Government Museum

A rich collection of artifacts, exquisitely carved sculptures and ancient inscriptions can be admired in the Government Museum located in the Palace. All these items speak volumes about the rich heritage, art and crafts of the region.

Main gate of Fort of Bharatpur was also held at the Jawahar Burj. The Palace : This royal edifice is a fusion of the Mughal and Rajput architectural styles with magnificent apartments and intricately designed floor tiles having interesting patterns. One can marvel at the ancient exhibits displayed in the museum in the central part of the palace.

Meva Nagar

Once called Viranipur this 12th century village lies on the slope of a hill called Nagar -Ki-Bhakarian, 9km away from Baletra. The village has three Jain temples The biggest of these is the one dedicated to Nokoda Parsvanath. A Vishnu temple is also worth visiting.

Siliserh Lake and Palace Hotel (13km)

An ideal picnic spot with enhancing landscape of wooded hills and beautiful chhatris on the embankment of the 10.5sq.km placid lake. A magnificent royal palace and the hunting lodge, built by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1845 A.D. for his queen Shila stands overlooking the lake. Now converted as the Hotel Lake palace. It offers boating and sailing facilities and is a delight for the trigger-happy photographs and film makers.