The former capital of the Sisodia Rajput dynasty of Mewar, the city is located in Rajasthan. Chittorgarh or Chittaurgarh is a city and a municipality in Rajasthan state of western India. It lies on the Berach River which is a tributary of the Banas. The city of Chittaurgarh is located on the banks of rivers Gambhir and Berach. The city is famous for its bravery, pride, and passion. You can hear the tales of their heroes from everyone in the city. The people of the city worship Meera. Located on the banks of rivers Gambhiri and berach, the city is also known as Panna dai. The city was attacked thrice by many kings. It was finally in 1616 when the city was returned to the Rajputs. During the war. The men fought to the death and the women committed Sati. The city is also famous for the Garh( fort)at Chittor which is the greatest Indian and tourists from all over the world come to explore the city. The best time to visit the city is between September to march. The place is famous among history lovers and tourists. Here are the Best and most beautiful places to visit in Chittorgarh.
1. Chittorgarh Fort
The first and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Chittorgarh is Chittorgarh fort. This UNESCO world heritage is one of the largest forts in India. The fort is located 175 km to the east of Udaipur. The fort was the capital of Mewar. The fort is situated on a 180meter high hill on the banks of a river beach. The fort resembles Rajput’s bravery. Pride and honor. There are seven gates to the fort which are the hanuman gate, Ganesh gate, Bhairon gate, Padan gate, Jodla gate, Lakshman gate, and the main gate which is the ram gate. It is believed that the water body near the fort was created by the legendary hero of Mahabharata, Bhishma. It also said that the fort was conquered by Alauddin Khilji to force the wife of Raja Ratan Singh, rani Padmini, to marry him. After which the ladies of the fort including Rani Padmini committed Jauhar. The ownership of the fort was transferred to many kings from Alauddin Khilji to his son to bahadur shah to Akbar. The women committed Jauhar in the fort many times and there were many losses of lives. The fort was spread across an area of 700 acres at 180 feet high hill. The fort has 65 structures which include temples, palaces, memorials, and water bodies. There is also a Meera bai temple. There are two towers of victory inside the fort which are Vijay Stambha(Tower of Victory) and Kirti Stambh(Tower of frame). For once you will lose yourself in this beautiful fort. You will require 3 to 4 hours to explore the fort. You should not miss sunset time at the fort. And beware of monkeys inside the fort.
Timing: 9:45 AM To 6:30 PM
Entry fee: INR 15 for Indians And INR 200 for Foreigners
suggested visit places to visit in Rajasthan.
2. Vijaya Stambha
The Vijaya Stambha is an imposing victory monument. It is situated within Chittor Fort in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India. Also known as the “Tower of Victory”, the tower is situated in Chittorgarh fort. Constructed by the Mewar king, Rana Kumbha, in period 1448 to commemorate his victory over the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat that was led by Mahmud Khilji. The tower is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The inscribed slabs in the uppermost story contain a detailed genealogy of the rulers of Chittaur and tell a story of their deeds. These slabs are ascribed to Ran Kumbha court scholar, Atri and his son Mahesh. The names of the architect, Sutradhar Jaita, and his three sons who assisted him, Napa, Puja, and Poma, are beautifully carved on the eighteen floors of the tower. Tourists can have a spectacular view of the entire city from the tower. The tower is 37.19m long and built of red and white marble stones. Tower has images of gods, weapons, musical instruments, and many more. Tourists should not miss the night view of the beautiful lights at the tower. A tour of Chittorgarh will be incomplete without visiting this tower. One will have a great feeling of victory and enjoy old architecture. Tourists have to climb 157 steps to reach the tower. The top floor of the tower contains an image of the goddess Padmavati. The tower is a great piece of architecture and a major tourist attraction. Overall it is one of the best historical places to visit in Chittorgarh where you must have to go.
Timings: 8:00 AM To 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
3. Kalika Mata Temple
Kālikā Mata Temple means “the great black Mother”. This temple belongs to a Hindu goddess and serves as a pilgrim center at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in the Panchmahal district, India, within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. It dates back to the 10th or 11th centuries. The temple consists of three images of goddesses: the central image is of Kalika Mata, flanked by Kali on the right and Bahucharamata on the left. On Chitra sud 8, a fair is held at the temple which is spiritually attended by thousands of devotees. The temple is known to be the site of one of the Great holy Shakti Peethas. One can reach easily to temple with the help of a ropeway. Kalika Mata Temple is an 8th-century Hindu temple that has been located within the Chittor Fort in the Chittorgarh municipality of Rajasthan state in India. The upper parts of the structure are more recent in today’s time.
Timing: 5:00 AM To 12:00 Noon And 4:00 PM To 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
4. Meera Temple
This temple has been dedicated to Meera Bai, a mystic poetess and great devotee of Lord Krishna. She was born in Kurki village near Merta to Ratan Singh Rathore and was married to Bhojraj, son of Rana Sanga of Mewar. The temple is constructed in the Indo-Aryan style by Rana Kumbh. There are statues of five human bodies outside the temple indicating that all castes and creeds are treated equally. Her faith in lord Krishna was unshakeable which can be told by the story that she survived even after drinking poison that was sent by her in-laws. Devotees sit quietly inside the temple and perform meditation. There are carvings on the walls and pillars of the temple depicting stories of Meera bai, lord Krishna and their sacrifices for each other. It was the only place that was not seized by Alauddin Khilji.
Timings: 9:30 AM To 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
5. Padmini Palace
Padmini who is also popularly known as Padmavati was a legendary 13th–14th-century queen also known as Rani (in Hindi) of the Mewar kingdom of present-day India. Several 16th-century texts mention her, of which the earliest source is Padmavat, an epic fictionalized poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 CE. The palace is also called the heart of the Chittorgarh fort. The palace is a three-storied white building. The palace is surrounded by a lotus pool which multiplies the beauty of the palace. It is the place where raja ratan Singh showed the mirror image of Rani Padmini(also known as queen Padmavati) to Alauddin Khilji. Allaudin Khilji was mesmerized by her beauty and decided to win her by attacking raja ratan Singh. In the fight, Raja Ratan Singh was killed which led to many women including Rani Padmini committing Jauhar. The palace attracts tourists from all over the world and is a major tourist attraction in Chittorgarh fort. The palace can be explored for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The palace is located 5km away from Chittorgarh fort and auto-rickshaws are available. Rani Padmini was a great combination of beauty, brains, and strength as she chooses to kill herself rather than face dishonor from enemies and gives a strong message to all the women. September to March is the best time to visit the palace.
Timings: 9:30 AM To 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 for Indian adults
INR 5 for children
INR 200 for foreigners
6. Kumbha Palace
Kumbhakarna popularly known as Rana Kumbha was the ruler of the Mewar kingdom of western India. He belonged to the Sisodia clan of Rajputs and was the son of Rana Mokal Singh of Mewar by his wife Sobhagya Devi, a daughter of Jaitmal Sankhla, the Paramara fief-holder of Runkot in the state of Marwar this place is one of the oldest places to visit in Chittorgarh. The architectural view of this place is really very appreciable. You should visit here once for a better traveling experience at Chittorgarh.
Timings: 10:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 For Indians And INR 50 For Foreigners
Here are the best places to visit in Jaipur.
7. Gaumukh Kund
If you want to have a peaceful time with your family, then you should not miss visiting this reservoir. The place is also known as Gaumukh Kund. the place is shaped like the mouth of the cow and hence named Gaumukh Kund. Gaumukh Kund is also called “Tirth Raj” and no one knows from where the water is coming in the Gaumukh Kund. Gaumukh Kund is a sacred water body that is situated in the western part of the Chittorgarh Fort. ‘Gaumukh’ stands for ‘mouth of a cow’. The water flows through the cracks in the rocks and falls into the reservoir. The water flows 365 days from the cow’s mouth. There is also a statue of lord shiva and goddess Laxmi near the place where the water flows from the cow’s mouth. Devotees come here to complete their holy journey. Tourists should not miss the sunset view of the reservoir. Feeding ng of fishes in the reservoir is considered a ritual activity and tourists also feed the fish. Smadeshwar temple is also located near the reservoir. The binder tunnel is a nearby tourist attraction and is the place where Rani Padmini committed Jauhar. the reservoir can be visited at any time of the year and is a major attraction for holy pilgrims. You just add this place to your places to visit in Chittorgarh.
Timings: 9:30 AM To 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
8. Ban Mata Temple
Ban Mata is also known as Sisodia Rajput Kuldevi. There are gates in three directions( east, west, and south) to enter the temple. This temple was originally built by Maharana Hamir in the 1300s for Maa Barvadi. Now an idol of Mahalakshmi has been consecrated in the Annapurna temple. Devotees from all over India came to worship the goddess. There are thousands of devotees during the Navratri time. Earlier Sisodias used to worship the goddess Durga. But once she fought with the demon Banasura and conquered him. It is believed after losing Chittorgarh in a battle, Maharana Hamir went to Gujrat where he met Maa Barvadiji, who blessed him and advised him to fight again. She sent her son- Baaruji to help the Maharana and also gave him 500 horses. With the blessings of Maa, the Maharana was able to win back Chittorgarh and then decided to build the temple. Then she was known as ban Mata Ji. The temple is situated on a 500ft high hill.
Timings: 5:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
9. Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a perfect destination for wildlife enthusiasts in places to visit in Chittorgarh. The sanctuary is 25km away from the city and home to animals like panthers, cheetahs, wild boars, hyenas, jackals, four-horned antelopes, foxes, and many more. There are also many birds in the sanctuary like a peacock, blue ball, cuckoo, eagles, whistling duck, and many more. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to November when there is an autumn season in which the sanctuary looks astonishing. The sanctuary is spread across an area of 15,290 hectares on the west border of the Vindhyachal mountain ranges and was established in 1988. The sanctuary also has dry forests which include Dhok, Churel, and Butea. Tourists can also find herbs and beautiful flowers. You should not miss capturing your moments inside the beautiful sanctuary. Bassi and Orai dams are also nearby tourist attractions. Camping is prohibited in the sanctuary to protect the natural habitat and for safety reasons.
Timings: 8:00 AM To 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 for Indians And INR 80 for Foreigners
Vehicle fee: INR 100 for Bus, INR 65 for Car And INR 10 for Two-wheeler
10. Menal
It is the best place to spend time with your family and loved ones and enjoy some relaxing time by enjoying the beauty of this small place. This place is located 90km away from Chittorgarh on Chittorgarh-Bundi road. The place is the best picnic spot. It is also known as mini Khajuraho as there are beautiful landscapes and temples around the place. The famous menal waterfall is a major tourist attraction. Tourists can also find a variety of birds and animals near the waterfall. The waterfall has a height of 150feet and is located on the river Menali. There are many temples in the menal and one of the most famous temples is the Mahabaleshwar temple. The temple is dedicated to lord shiva and was built in the 11th century AD by king Someshwar and his wife queen Suhavadevi. There are also temples like dev Narayan temple, mental hanuman temple, Joganiya Mata temple, and many more which attract many devotees. Tourists can also explore the wildlife of menal by taking a jungle safari or a bird-watching session. The village and the temples were also visited by Prithviraj Chauhan during the summers. The place can be visited any time from June to February but it is advised to visit post-monsoons as streams are full of water.
Timings: Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
11. Sanwariyaji Temple
If you are a devotee of Lord Krishna then you can’t miss visiting this temple when you places to visit in Chittorgarh. The temple is located 40km away from Chittorgarh on the Chittorgarh-Udaipur highway. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is believed that in the year 1840, Bholaram Gurjar, who was a milkman, had a dream that there were three idols under the round in the Chappar village. When he woke up and dug at the place, he found three idols of Lord Krishna. One idol was taken to Mandaphia, the other to Bhadsoda and the third idol to Chapar and all three locations became temples. The temples are at a distance of 5km from each other. The Madaphiya temple was recognized as Sanwalia Ji Dham. Thousands of devotees came every day to visit the temple and attract a large number of devotees during Janmashtami time.
Timings: 5:30 AM To 12:00 Noon And 2:30 PM To 11:00 PM
Aarti Timings: Mangla Aarti: 5:30 AM
Sandhya Aarti: 8:00 AM To 9:15 PM
Bhajan and Kirtan: 9:15 AM To 11:00 PM
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
12. Kirti Stambh
Kirti Stambh is the tower situated in Chittorgarh fort. It is 22 feet high and constructed by Jain merchant, Jeeja Bhagerwala under the rule of Rawal Kumar Singh. The tower is seen as a holy pilgrimage for Jain devotees. Kirti Stambh is also known as the tower of the frame. The tower is dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Sri Adinath. The tower has seven floors and after reaching on top tourists can have a spectacular view of the surroundings. The tower is constructed in Solanki style and attracts tourists from all over the world. The best time to visit is during winter as the heat is bearable and nights are cool. In the remaining part of the year, the temperature is very high so it is not advisable to visit during summertime. You can also book a guide to having perfect knowledge about the place. The guide is available at INR 500.
Timings: 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
13. Ratan Singh Palace
This historical palace is located inside the Chittorgarh fort. Ratneshwar lake adds charm to the beauty of Raja Ratan Singh’s palace. The palace also includes a beautiful garden and a temple dedicated to Ratneshwar Mahadev. The flowers of the garden were also watered by maharaja Ratan Singh. On the top floor of the palace, tourists can have an astonishing view of the sunset. The palace was used for ceremonies and functions by the royal family. This palace is a must-visit to places to visit in Chittorgarh. The palace is also famous as a haunted place as it is believed that there are spirits of the people who were killed in the fort. While the Rani Padmini palace was served in summer and Raja Ratan Singh palace was served in winter.
Timings: 9:45 AM To 6:00 PM (But Closed on Friday)
Entry Fee: INR 15 For Indians And INR 200 For Foreigners
