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Chittorgarh |
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The pride and glory of Rajasthan
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Any Chittaurgarh tour begins and almost ends at the Chittaurgarh fort, an epitome of bravado.
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 1303 AD, overpowered by a passionate desire
to possess the regal beauty, queen Padmini.
Legend has that he saw her face in the reflection
of a mirror and was struck by her mesmerising
beauty. But the noble queen preferred death
to dishonour and committed 'Jauhar'.In 1533
AD during the rule of Sikramjeet, came the second
attack from Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat.
Once again, Jauhar was led by Rani Karnvati,
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 1567AD when the
Mughal Emperor invaded Chittaur; Udai Singh
fled to establish a new capital,Udaipur - a
beautiful lakecity,
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 peformed.
Immediately thereafter, Akbar razed the Fort
to a rubble.Chittaur was never inhabited again
but it always asserted the heroic spirit of
Rajput.
According
to excavations, a civilization flourished here
from the Maurya to the Guptas dynasty. If any
one fort of in Rajasthan were to be picked out
for its illustrious antiquity, tales of bravado
and gallantry, then it would be the fort of
Chittogarh. Nowhere else is the valor of Rajputs
more palpable. Myraid tales of its legendary
heroes are still celebrated on the murals and
in the folklore of this region . Equally well
known were the Maharanis of Chittorgarh. It's
first defeat occurred in 1303 when Ala-Ud-Din-Khilji,
attacked the fort in order to impound the beautiful
Padmini. When defeat became inevitable, Padmini
and the other royal women committed 'Jauhar'.
'Death before dishonor' was accepted as a fact
of life by the valiant Rajputs.
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Prime
Attractions of Chittorgarh
Vijay Stambh
The Victory Tower, 37 metres high, is an imposing
structure of nine storeys. With sculptures of a
secular nature on the exterior, it was built by
Maharaja Kumbha in commemoration of his victory
over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440
AD.
Chittorgarh Fort
The indomitable pride of Chittaur, the fort is a
massive structure with many gateways built by the
literary rulers in 7th century AD. Perched on a
height of 180 m high hill, it sprawls over 700 acres.
The tablets and 'chhatris' within are impressive
reminders of the Rajput heroism. The main gates
are Padam Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol and Ram
Pol. The fort has many magnificent monuments - all
fine examples of the Rajput architecture. The ancient
ruins of the fort are worth spending few moments
in solitude.
Fateh Prakash Palace
Museum
Inside the historical Chittaurgarh Fort, one big
portion of Fateh Prakash Palace in Chittorgarh was
converted into a museum in the year 1968. It has
a great collection of sculptures. Among the important
ones are Ganpati (8th - 9th century) from Pangarh
and lndra and Ambica statues from Rashmi village
of post medieval period.
Gardens and Parks
Pratap Park, Meera Park and Nehru Park are beautifully
laid out parks in lush surroundings. Beautiful Khwaja
Rose Garden at Sawa is just 13-km from Chittaur.
Government Museum
- Chittor
The magnificent Prakash Mahal, presently a fine
museum with an exquisite example of sculptures from
temples and buildings in the fort is worth a visit.
Closed on Fridays.
Jaimal and Patta Palaces
The ruins of palaces of Rathore Jaimal and Sisodia
Patta are witness to the gallantry of these great
warriors.
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 AD, dedicated to the
Mother Goddess Kali --the symbol of power and valour.
Kirti Stambh
The22 metres high tower built by a wealthy Jain
merchant in the 12th century AD The tower is dedicated
to Adinathji, the first of the Jain Tirthankaras
and is decorated with figures of the Jain pantheon.
Meera Bai Temple
The temple where Meera Bai 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.
Padmini's Palace
The Chittorgarh fort perched on a 180 mts. high
hill, covering 700 acres, was constructed by Mauryan
rulers in the 7th century. In the fort, this palace
was built for Queen Padmini whose beauty was responsible
for the battle between Allauddin Khilji and Rana
Ratan Singh.
Rana Kumbha's Palace
The ruined edifice of great historical and architectural
interest, bring the most massive monument in the
fort of Chittaur. The palace is believed to have
underground cellars where Rani Padmini and other
women committed 'Jauhar' |
Excursions
from Chittorgarh |
Bassi
Village (25Km.)
Enroute Bundi is a marvellous village with
historical forts, temples and 'kunds'. Especially
famous are its sculptures and woodcraft.
A place of great tourist interest.
Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary (25Km.)
50-sq-kms sanctuary near Bassi, supports
a population of panthers, wild boars, antelopes,
mongoose and migratory birds. Prior permission
has to be obtained from the District Forest
Office, Chittaurgarh before visiting the
sanctuary.
Bijalpur (40Km.)
A marvellous castle built by Rao Shakti
Singh, the younger brother of Maharana Pratap,
stands in the village. Presently, it has
been converted into a heritage hotel.
Deogarh (125Km.)
A 16th century magnificent fort, near Pratapgarh
with some beautiful palaces ornate with
murals and splendid Jain temples.
Matri Kundia Temple (50Km.)
A popular sacred place dedicated to Lord
Shiva. Popularly called 'Haridwar of Mewar'.
Menal (90Km.)
TThe Menal River runs over a bed of granite
slabs and plunges into a cavernous 122 metres
deep gorge. On the other side of the broken
wall is the temple complex with fascinating
carvings on the walls of the shrine that
depict various Hindu deities. It is located
on the Chittaurgarh-Bundi Road.
Nagari (20Km.)
One of the oldest towns of Rajasthan, of
great importance during the Mauryan period,
is situated on the banks of River Banish.
The Hindu and Buddhist remains from the
Mauryan and Gupta period are found here
Sanwariyaji Temple (40Km.)
On the Chittaur-Udaipur road is a contemporary
temple of Lord Krishna, an important pilgrimage
spot.
Sita Mata Sanctuary, Dhariyavad
This thickly wooded jungle sprawls over
the Aravalli ranges and the Malawi plateau
with three rivers flowing through the forest.
According to legend, Sita, wife of Lord
Rama stayed in this jungle in Rishi Valmiki's
Ashram after she was exiled by Lord Rama.
The common fauna that can be sighted here
includes Leopard, Hyena, Jungle Fox, Porcupine,
Sambhar, Wild Bear, four-horned Antelope,
Nilgai and Flying Squirre |
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