Chittaurgarh

The True Placard of Rajput Chivalry

District : Chittaurgarh Region Mewar
Location : SE Rajasthan. 38 km from Madhya Pradesh Border
Popular For : Forts and Palaces
Best Time To Visit : October – March

Chittaurgarh District in Mewar region of Rajasthan is 38 km from Madhya Pradesh Border, 113 km NE of Udaipur, 330 km SW of Jaipur, 588 km SW of Delhi.

It is popular for its Forts and Palaces as placard of Rajput chivalry. Best time to Visit Chittaurgarh is October to March.

The history of Chittaurgarh is, ironically, all about saffron and ash. Three times in its long history Chittaur was sacked by a stronger enemy. On each occasion, the valiant warriors preferred fighting till death than to surrender. Their valiant wives willing committed johar i.e. self immolation after their walient husbands died fighting.

When faced with imminent defeat, the Rajput king with his soldiers donned in saffron robes of martyrdom and died fighting rather than conceding defeat to the alien invader. Before charging to their deaths, ladies sung their nights out for Lord Krishna. Such footages depict the tales of valour and sacrifice which outdo any other kingdom in Rajasthan or in any other part of India.

First time, Rani Padmawati committed Johar. In 1535, Chittaur was lost to Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujrat . Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karanavati. Her infant son, Udai Singh, was smuggled out of Chittaur to Bundi who survived to inherit the throne of the citadel. But only 33 years later in 1568, Mughal Emperor Akbar annexed Chittaur. Every time the fort was defended heroically, but every time the odds were overwhelming. Every time the women performed 'jauhar', and every time the fort gates flung open to let the orange-robed warriors, rode out to their deaths.

Places to visit in Chittaur are Chittaurgarh Fort, Rana Kumbha's Palace, Zenana Mahal, Gaumukh Kund, Rani Padmini Palace set on pond. Kalika Mata Temple dedicated to Sun God is also a tourist attraction. Items to shop there include painted wooden toys( Bassi Village) , Gold - Silver Jewelry, Bandhini Textiles and hand embroidered Shoes.

FACT FILE
To See :	Chittaurgarh Fort, Rana Kumbha's Palace, Zenana Mahal, Gaumukh Kund, Rani Padmini Palace.
World Famous For :	Colossal Chittaurgarh Fort.
Don't Miss :	Rani Padmini Palace set on a Pond, The Menal's Waterfall roars during Rainy Season.
Palace Suites :	Jag Mandir Darshan, Aravalli Darshan and Sajjan Niwas are the real Luxury Showcases.
Must Visit :	Visit to the Kalika Mata Temple dedicated to Sun God.
Time Spend :	Tourist can plan a trip from Udaipur to Chittaurgarh - 3 hours drive. Spend minimum one day, if interested in various tales of love and war.
Getting Around :	Nagri (18 km NE), Bassi (25 km NE), Menal (78 km NE).
To shop :	Painted Wooden Toys - Bassi Village, Miniature Kavad - Altar, Gold - Silver Jewelry, Bandhini Textiles, Hand Embroidered Shoes.
Getting There :	Air – Nearest Airport - Dabok Airport in Udaipur. Rail – Chittaugarh Station linked to Delhi by Nizamuddin - Udaipur Express. Mewar Express links Jaipur. Road – 11 hrs from Delhi, 7 hrs - Jaipur, 21/2 hrs - Udaipur. From Jaipur - NH-8 to Kishengarh via Dudu; NH-8 A to Naisirabad; NH-79 to Chittaurgarh via Bandanwara and Bhilwara.
Inside Tip :	To feel the existence of beautidul Rani Padmavati, stroll down the marble gallery of Padmini Palace, also watch the reflection of yours on the crystal clear water of the Pond inside the Palace.
Important Distances :	113 km NE of Udaipur, 330 km SW of Jaipur, 588 km SW of Delhi.
Where to Eat :	Castle Bijaipur -General Rajasthani food, Bassi Fort Palace – Paranthas and Vegetable Food, Pratap Palace – dal-baati-choorma, Hotel Meera – Indian and Mughal Meals, Hotel Padmini – Pure Vegetarians.
Staying Options :	Bassi Fort Palace, Castle Bijapur, Hotel Pratap Palace, Hotel Padamini, RTDC's Panna.

Historical Town of Chittorgarh - The Love That Painted Grey And Saffron

Facts are stranger than fictions. You might never have heard about a king who burns an entire kingdom just to have a beauty by his side or hundreds of fine-cheeked Rajputs, donned in saffron robes of martyrdom, charging to their deaths or about a virgin lady who sang her nights out for Lord Krishna. These footages, if edited to make an epic film, will rock the Hollywood. Visit Chittaurgarh town in Rajasthan, where fantasies come to life, where real characters incarnate to breath their life out, but bow before a foreign power. Indeed, this elfin district owns more tales of valour and sacrifice than any other in Rajasthan's - perhaps even India's - glorious history.

The Bygone Memory Lanes - History of Chittorgarh

The history of Chittaurgarh is, ironically, all about saffron and ash. Three times in its long history Chittaur was sacked by a stronger enemy, and on each occasion, historians got ample stuff to bedeck their history books.

Where The Winners Lost It All

In 1535, it was Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujrat. Once again Jauhar was led by Rani Karanavati, 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 chivalry. And only 33 years later, in 1568, the finishing touch was added by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Every time the fort was defended heroically, but every time the odds were overwhelming. Every time the women performed 'jauhar', and every time the fort gates flung open to let the orange-robed warriors, rode out to their deaths.

Suggested Tour Packages
» Colorful Rajasthan Tour	» Rajasthan Pushkar Camel Fair
» Rajasthan Desert Festival Tour	» Rajasthan with Golden Triangle Tour
» Rajasthan Cultural and Heritage Tour	» Royal Rajasthan Tour
» Exotic Rajasthan Forts & Palaces Tour	» Rajasthan Wldlife Tour