Chittorgarh
Chittaurgarh-The
town of the brave, known for its massive fort atop a hill, which can be singled
out for its glorious past.
The fort has checkered history, it has witnessed
some of the bloodiest battles iln history, three great Sakas and some of the most
heroic deeds of valor, which are still sung by the local musicians. The antiquity
of Chittaurgarh is difficult to trace, but it is believed that
Bhim the legendary
figure of the Mahabharta, visited this place to learn the secrets of immortality
and became the disciple of a sage, but his impatience to perform all the rites
deprived him of his goal, and out of sheer anger he stamped on ground creating
water reservoir, this reservoir is called as Bhim Lat. Later on, it came under
the Mauryas or Muri Rajputs, there are different opinions as to when ilt came
under the Mewar ruler, but it remained the capital of Mewar till 1568, when it
was shifted to Udaipur.
It is believed that Bappa Rawal the legendary
founder of the Sisodia clan, received Chittaur in the middle of 8th century, as
a part of the dowry after marriage with the last Solanki princess, after that
his descendants ruled Mewar which stretched from Gujarat to Ajmer, upto the 16th
century.
GENERAL
INFORMATION Population : 71,566 Area: 7sq.km.
Altitude
:
408mts
Climate : SummerMax.33.8*c, Min.11.6*c winter
Max. 28.3*c, Min. 11.6*c
Clothing : Summer Light Cottons, Winter
Woolens Best Season; Oct. To Mar.
Language : Rajasthani, Hindi
& Gujarati;
Places
To SeeThe Fort : A standing sentinel to the courage
and valor of Chittaurgarh, it stands tall over a 180 meter high hillock covering
a massive area of 700 acres. The fort is belileved to have been built by the Maurya
rulers in 7th century AD.
The important monuments inside the fort are
:
VIJAY
STAMBH OR 'VICTORY TOWER :
Built by Rana Kumbha in 1440 , to commemorate
the victory over the combined forces of the kings of neighboring Malwa and Gujarat,
this tower is 120ft. (36.5mts) high and has a girth of 30 ft. at the base, the
nine storied high limestone structure is richly ornamented from top to bottom.
KIRTI STAMBH OR 'TOWER OF FAME : Built iln the 12th century,
dedicated to Lord Sri Adinath Rishab deo, the first Jain Tirthankar. The 22 metre
high structure ils rdeplete with figures from Jain pantheon. There are several
other Jain temples iln Chittaurgarh.
RANA KUMBHA'S PALACE : The
largest monument of the fort, it is believed that Rani Padmini committed Jauhar,
in once of these underground cellars. The palace is in ruins but generates historical
as well as architectural interest. The original palace was believed to have been
built by Rana Hamir after regaining the fort in the first siege. The Mewar power
reached its acme during Rana Kumbha's time, he was a great patron of art and architecture,
which is amply reflected in the palace.
PADMINI PALACE : The
palace of Rani Padmini who preferred death before dishonor, and committed Johar,
along with her entire entourage before falling into the hands of Allauddin Khilji.
It was here that Rana Ratan Singh allowed a glimpse of the legendary beauty to
Allauddin Khilji. The Zanana Mahal overlooks the pond, Padmini stood over here
and the reflection of her was shown in the water to Allauddin Khilji.
MEERA
TEMPLE : The temple is dedicated to the mystic poetess Meera, and a devotee
of Lord Krishna. Meera was born in Kurki village near Merta to Ratan Singh Rathors,
and was married to Bhojraj son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. Legends say that she consumed
poison set by Vikramaditya but nothing happended to her due to the blessings of
Lord Krishna. In front of the temple is the cenotaph (chhatri) of Meera Bai's
Guru Shri Rai Das of Banaras, inside the cenotaph is carved a figure of five human
bodies with one head, depicting that all castes are equal and even outcasts can
attain God.
KUMBHA SHYAM TEMPLE : Thetemple dedicated to Varah
(Boar), the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It was built in 1448 AD. By Rana Kumbha
Mahasati cenotaphs The cremation site of the Ranas and their wives, the sites
are marked with Chhatris.
KALIKA MATA TEMPLE : The temple is
dedicated to Goddess Kali, the symbol of power and valour. Situated towards the
southern side of the fort, it was built by Rana Hamir. Originally it was built
as a Sun Temple by Bappa Rawal in the 8th century, but ws destroyed during the
first sack of Chittaur. Rana Hamir converted it into a Kali temple on regaining
the fort in the 14th century. The house of Chunda is situated near the temple.
There are several other temples, within the ramparts of the fort like that of
the temple of Annapurana, Jain Temples etc.
JAIMAL AND PATTA'S PALACE
: Theruins of this palace remind once of the story of the gallant Rathores
Jaimal and Sisodia Patta the two great warriors, who layed down their lives for
the honour of Chittaurgarh.
GOVERNMENT MUSEUM : The magnificent
Fateh Prakash Mahal has been converted into a museum, which houses a rare and
rich collectino of sculptures from the fort and the temples. (Friday Closed)
GAUMUKH(COW'S
MOUTH RESERVOIR) : Situated near the Mahasati Chowk, the water from a
spring flows through a stone structure carved in the form of a cow's mouth into
the reservoir.
MOHAR MAGRI (HILL OF GOLD COINS) : A small structure
which was raised during the invasion of Chittaurgarh by Akbar in 1567, it gets
the name Mohar Magri because it is believed that Emperor Akbar paid one mohar
(gold coin) for each basketful of earth placed on the mound, as the work was very
dangerous, brave soldiers guarding the the ramparts fromabvoe. The mound was raised
to such a height that the Mughal cannons could be placed over it and fired inside
the fort. The important places inside are, the temple of Tulja Bhawani (the tutelary
goddess of the scribes), the Naulakha Bhandar or nine lakh treasury, Singar Chauri,
depicting inscriptions dating back to 1448 AD. Sat -bis-Deori, the old Jain temple
etc.
Chittorgarh
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