Must Visit Places in Chittorgarh Fort – Palaces, Temples, Lakes
No other fort in India can match Chittorgarh Fort for its legends of chivalry and glorious deaths, the Rajput’s obsession with honor and its tales of valor. The Rajput men died fighting war after war and the women and children preferred death to defeat and flames to dishonor!
(Garh means Fort, so Chittorgarh means Chittor Fort, it is not Chittorgarh Fort though it is commonly known by that name.)
About Chittorgarh Fort
I remember his first sentence about Chittor Fort – this fort where you are standing is the biggest fort of Asia, not just India.
There were three major attacks on this fort. First one was in 1303 by Alauddin Khalji when he ransacked it completely and tried damaging it as much as possible. But the robust mountain stones used to build the fort did not give away. Then in the year 1535, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked and tried taking over the fort. Lastly the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Invader in took it over in 1568. Throughout this war ridden history the Hindu Rajput rulers fought fiercely to maintain their independence.
Very crisp history and introduction to this mighty fort I thought as I admired his pride and sense of belonging he had in his words as he said them.
Chittorgarh Fort: History
But beyond all this there is an interesting mythological legend associated with this fort. The construction of fort is credited to the legendary hero Bhīma, third of Pandava brothers, in Mahabharata. It states that Bhima struck the ground here that resulted in water springing up to form a large reservoir which is known by the name Bhimlat Kund today.
Chittorgarh Fort was built by Chitrangad Mori of the Maurya dynasty in 7th century AD. Bappa Rawal, founder of Mewar, either got this fort as a part of his dowry or conquered it, made Chittorgarh his capital.
After his rule the fort passed many hands, several dynasties for many generations. Many wars have been fought here, but three major sieges by Muslim invaders, brought this mighty fort down.
The fort name is spelled differently: Chitrakut, Chittaur, Chittaurgarh, Chitaurgarh, Chittor, Chittorgarh kila, Chittod ka Kila.
Chittorgarh Fort Architecture
A top view of the fort reveals that Chittorgarh Fort has been made in the shape of a large fish. Covering an area of 690acres, it has a circumference is 13 km. The fort is built on the banks of Gambhri River. A wide limestone bridge across the river helps you access the fort.
Ruins of palaces in Chittorgarh
Must Visit Places inside Chittorgarh Fort
There are remains of 65 noteworthy buildings, four memorials, four palaces, 22 lakes and 19 temples. It was definitely not possible to visit all of them in our planned two hours visit, not even if we extend it by one more hour. Seeing our time crunch our guide took us to some of the important palaces, ruins, temples and towers. Some of the must visit places inside Chittorgarh Fort are:
- Vijay Stambh
- Kirti Stambh
- Gaumukh Reservoir
- Rana Kumbha Palace
- Padmini Palace
- Fateh Prakash Palace (Government Museum)
- Ratan Singh Palace
- Meera Temple
- Kalika Mata Temple
- Jain Temples – Satbis Deori, Neelkanth Mahadev Jain temple
- Seven Gates of the Fort – Padan Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jorla Pol, Laxman Pol, Ram Pol
- Sanwariaji Temple
- Sathis Deori Temple
- Samadhisvara Temple
- Shyam Temple
- Mahanal Temple
- Tulja Bhawani Temple
Chittorgarh Fort Viewpoint
Seven Gates of Chittorgarh Fort
As we entered the fort we kept crossing a series of huge gates. Our guide explained that there are seven of them which provided a strong security to the fort. Enemies had to face stiff resistance as they passed through the gates, many of the attacks on this fort failed for this reason.
Padan pol is first gate, the entry point of Chittorgarh Fort. The word padan is derived from patwi which means first or eldest in Rajasthani language. Nearby sights are: Memorial Of Bagha Rawat, old model schools like Adarsh and purusharthi schools.
Bhairon pol is second gate of Chittorgarh fort. Some reasons for the name are: Lord Bhairon statue (an avatar of Lord Shiva) is near it, Bhairon Das Solanki of Desuri was killed here when fighting against Bahadur Shah in 1535 AD. Maharana Fateh Singh rebuilt this gate, so it’s also called Fateh pol.
Hanuman Pol, the third gate is credited with the name of the temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman nearby.
Ganesh pol is the fourth gate. You will find a small cute temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha near it.
Jorla Pol is fifth pol, the name translates to joined gate. A very sharp turn after this gate takes you to the next gate. The route through the gates is not an easy one.
Lakshman pol is the sixth gate. A temple dedicated to Shri Lakshmana, younger brother of Lord Rama of Hindu epic Ramayana is located near this gate.
Ram Pol is the last and seventh gate. It is believed kings of Mewar were Lord Ram’s descendants and that’s why it’s named ram pol.
Entrance to Chittor Fort – Ram Pol
Visiting Time: 9:45 AM to 6:30 PM, Fort open on all days, but museum is closed on Mondays.
Cost of Guide: INR 400 for four hours (available for walking and auto rickshaw tours)
Fee for Vehicle: INR 500 per trip (Vehicle can hold not more than four tourists)
Tickets for Indians: INR 50; INR 25 for students and senior citizens
Tickets for Foreigners: INR 200 per person
Sound and Light Show: INR 100 per person (Tuesdays and Fridays for English show and rest of the week for Hindi show)
Next read: More Tragic Stories of Chittorgarh
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(Updated post. This was first written on Feb 16, 2009.)
Wonder full post with amazing pics 🙂
What great history behind the fort. Thanks for the info. Pics are super. Loved Rani Padmini’s Palace.
one place i must visit
Thanks for the informative post.
really intrigued to see that small little place where Meerabai sang Krishna Bhajans. Such abounding is our history and culture. Also was reminded that they shot Prem Ratan Dhan Payo here in this fort. though not much relevant..bas yaad aa gaya..hehhe! Great post as always 🙂
Beautiful place:-)
Such an interesting place with great history. Beautiful pictures 🙂
Interesting stories from our rich history.
The fort and the pictures really do take us back to those times.
Awesome post and pictures, Indrani. 🙂
This was the one fort that I really wanted to see but could not in the last trip. I can see what I missed and I so am not liking that 😀 Beautiful pictures.
Hope to visit this area soon, have been planning for a while now. And this post will certainly help me plan better 🙂
Rajasthan is a lovely place either it be Chittaurgarh or Jaipur.
Very detailed pictures presented that tell many tales.
Good pictures and well written Indrani.
amazing photos
thanks for history snippets
The mighty one. Many history stories drafted, written here!!
Awesome pictures of time honored structures
Have visited it several times and it always attracts me . It was wonderful to visit it again through your lenses . Beautiful pictures Indrani ji
Have never been to Rajasthan … Forts , palaces, and their fascinating tales have been so inviting.. Let see when I head that way …
Beautiful pictures and write up 🙂
Roaming around in Rajasthan in 45 C temp needs real courage 🙂
am trying to imagine these forts in all its former glory….wish it never had such a sad history…..
Everything looks so dramatic, so atmospheric and beautiful..
🙂
Thanks for the pics AND the history lesson!
‘blug’… ‘blug’… ‘blug’… that’s the sound of my blood boiling..!!!! Lucky Al-ud-din Khilji is not around. Felt like punching him in his nose..!!!!
Nice one – I hope the series never ends! It is a real lesson in our history, and the pictures make it come alive.
As usual another vivid history lesson…with illustration…wonderful!
Sandi
Though I’ve heard this story many times growing up in India (as we all have), it was especially poignant reading about it with the pictures. I imagined the events unfolding … it’s so fascinating. Thanks!
You always show us such wonderful remnants of past grandeur. Great post.
hey you are tagged again !! check my last post !
Wow! how long were u in Rajasthan?
Nostalgic memories..Indrani..i went there when life was analog..I grew up reading these stories and was transformed to a different world
Good story 🙂
Interesting article…Thanks for sharing.
This was a very fascinating post. I am happy that there is more to come and glad I got to see what your world looks like.
Wonderful pictures and commentary! Indian history intrigues me. This was great!
How beautifully interesting! That was a great read,
KK
Very interesting and so beautiful buildings and architecture !!
We have an Indian friend his name is Ratankumar, but everybody calls him Ratan.
It’s a never known and sad history said! Very nice description, this is one unique and largest fort ever seen.
Your posts and photographs are always so interesting. That looks like an amazing fort.
I always love to come to your blog.It’s so interesting and your photos are always so beautiful. I like the history of these old buildings, even if it’s a sad one. Thanks for sharing.
those pics are great…BTW i accidentally rejected your comment which you had posted on ‘TRICK QUESTION’-sorry 🙁
That was a wonderful history lesson. That small palace in the middle of the lake was so cute and enchanting.
these are some really beautiful beautiful pictures….
Loved them, hey i linked you in a post, heres the link : http://hitchwriter.blogspot.com/2009/02/6-months-on-blogosphere.html
Good story, wonderful old forts, very unique, specially the small one built in the lake.
Interesting post.
The Rani Padmini’s palace was really unique. Reminds me of a lotus rising from the water!
I enjoyed that tour! You’re such a good representative of your country!
Warm greetings from West Africa,
Esther
wow! you have narrated the tale so well…
twas like watching a movie. thank you so much.
Re your question about eclipse, am not sure, though even i had read there was to be a minor eclipse around then. and i think in my picture the right top corner of the moon seems to be eclipsed. to be honest had not taken the picture with the intention of capturing the eclipse.
What a great post. These buildings are as amazing as their story. I am enchanted by your country.
That was recently in the news, right? the Chittorgarh fort?
Seeing my son’s Socoal Studies Book, I always wonder why they don’t learn local history as well as they are taught world history…
What an interesting post! The pictures are wonderful and do a great job of conveying the beauty of the fort, but what I especially like is the history you’ve given. Thank you!
Very beautiful and interesting architectural buildings. Simply love the palace in the lake. Very interesting culture you have. Have a nice day.
some great architectural shots here…beautiful..
Fascinating, both the history of the place, and its architecture. I love older places like this, with a sense of place and history that are still strong.
What a wonderful epic story. Thanks for this. You have caused me to think again about my sense of time and what I think is important.
What an epic story. Amazing.
I agree with one of your other commenters, this reads better than fiction! And your photos are magnificent! I would truly love to come and roam them all! Thank you so much for the beauty and the history!
That is glorious indeed! If the walls could talk!
Haha, what a clever woman!
You know, that temple for Shiva reminds me of temples from latin America, funny… cultures may have been more alke far, far in the past but it is very unlike what exists in the cold north, although slightly similar images have been preserved here but made of wood, not stone.
This reads better than any fiction could..WOW..again blowing the pictures up shows such detail and helps with the history lesson!
Strange, beautiful. To build structures with no particular use on top of what you ruined…
wow!! some gr8 captures of lovely place….
It really looks beautiful!! I really wanted to visit this fort when we visited Kumbhalarh, but time didn;t permit, and since then, we havent visited Rajasthan at all. However, Udaipur and Chittorgarh are on the top of my list of places to visit…. thanks for the visual treat…
Anu
I’d love to come and roam in these fantastic places.
What a story!