Embark on a virtual journey to the regal Chittorgarh Fort, as we unravel its historical tapestry and architectural splendors. Join us on the virtual tour to explore the majestic citadel that stands as a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage.

About Chittorgarh Fort

Chittorgarh Fort also recognized as Chittor or Chittod Fort is located in Rajasthan, India near Udaipur city. This fortress proudly served as the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, spanning a vast 692 acres on the majestic Aravali hills, soaring to an elevation of 180 meters. Within its formidable walls lie 65 historic sites, embracing four palaces, 20 notable water sources, 19 temples, triumph towers, and four memorials, earning it the esteemed title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To enter the fort, traverse through the seven gateways built by the Mewar ruler Rana Kumbha of the Sisodia clan. These gateways, namely Paidal Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jorla Pol, Laxman Pol, and Ram Pol are colossal stone structures fortified with military precision. Atop these gates, notched parapets bear witness to archers who once defended the Chittorgarh Fort against invading armies.

Prominent Sites Within Chittorgarh Fort

Fateh Prakash Palace and Museum at Chittorgarh Fort

Rana Fateh Singh constructed Fateh Prakash Palace adjacent to Rana Khumbha Palace. Currently, it is a modest but captivating museum highlighting Mewar’s glorious past. Within its walls, an impressive collection of weaponry and battle artifacts unfolds – swords, shields, bhala, bows and arrows, guns, and rifles all stand as silent witnesses to the valor of times past. An intricately detailed model of the Chittorgarh Fort, along with displays of armor, infantry gear, and regal murals, offers a tactile journey through the annals of Mewar. Photographs depicting every nook of the Chittorgarh Fort, highlighting its significant sites, entrance gates, and their historical significance, grace the museum’s exhibits. Furthermore, the exhibit provides maps and photographs of the Mewar kingdom’s various forts and palaces.

Krishna Meera Temple

The Khumba Shyam, also known as Varaha Temple is the largest temple within the Chittorgarh Fort complex. The temple’s peak resembles a pyramid, crowned with a tall Shikhara. Inside the mandapa, twenty pillars grace the space, and in the main niche at the shrine’s rear, there is an image of Lord Varaha. The main sanctum has Krishna’s idol, along with the idol of worshipping Meerabai. The temple’s walls, pillars, and ceilings boast intricate decorations depicting a myriad of gods and floral motifs. Further a canopy, supported by four pillars and featuring a statue of Garuda, dignifies the entrance.

Adjacent to Khumba Shyam temple, to the south, lies the Meera/Meerabai Temple, a charming Indo-Aryan architectural marvel. Rana Khumba constructed it in the memory of Meerabai, a fervent devotee of Lord Krishna.

Vijaya Stambha or Victory Tower

The Vijaya Stambha, also recognized as the Jaya Stambha, stands as an emblem of victory. Rana Khumbha constructed it between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory. The towering structure reaches a height of 37.2 meters, boasting a base spanning 47 square feet and encompassing nine stories. Intricate carvings adorn the interior and exterior of the Vijaya Stambha, adding to its artistic grandeur. Ascending to the eighth story involves climbing a 157-step small circular staircase. Unfortunately, the stairs remain inaccessible in order to preserve their structural integrity.

Trimurti Temple

Nestled within the precinct of Vijaya Stambh and Gaumukh Kund, the Trimurti Temple stands as a testament to architectural brilliance. Constructed in the 11th century by Bhoja Parmara, this sacred abode is a timeless relic. The main sanctum features a colossal Trimurti, embodying the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. The three faces symbolize their roles as the creator, preserver, and destroyer, vividly portrayed through smiling, serene, and intense expressions.

Photography within the sanctum is prohibited. Also, kindly remove your shoes as a sign of respect for this sacred site while entering the temple.

Gaumukh Kund

Gaumukh Kund is a sacred tank nestled within the precincts of Vijaya Stambha. A natural spring gracefully nourishes this tank, flowing through a finely carved cow’s mouth on the cliffside, giving it the descriptive name Gaumukh Kund. This tank played a pivotal role as the primary water source for the fort during numerous sieges. Before approaching the water, please remove your shoes at the top of the stairwell. Feel free to immerse your foot in the cool waters, run your fingers along its surface, or even take in a sip from the Gaumukh Kund. However, be cautious of the steps, since they might be slippery.

At the top of the stairway leading to the Gaumukh Kund, you’ll discover a humble temple dedicated to the venerable Rani Padmini. The shrine attendant lovingly recounted the moving story of Jauhar and the great Rani Padmini. Interact with her if you are keen.

Kalika Mata Temple

The Hindu temple of Kali Mata is located just across the road from Padmini Palace. Originally erected as a Sun Temple in the 8th century, it met its demise in the 14th century at the hands of Alauddin Khilji. However, later, it underwent a revival in the same century as the Kalika Mata temple. The principal deity of this sacred space is Bhadrakali, while the divine presence of Lord Shiva manifests as Jogeshwar Mahadev in the sanctum. Adorned with an elevated podium, the temple boasts intricate artistry in its mandap, ceilings, walls, and pillars.

Kindly remove your shoes before entering the temple. Additionally, photography is not permitted inside the temple premises.

Rani Padmini Palace

Padmini, also recognized as Padmavati was a Mewar kingdom Queen from the 13th to 14th centuries. She was the beloved wife of Rana Ratan Singh. She was a lovely Sinhalese (Sri Lankan) princess, revered by poets who compared her beauty to that of Cleopatra.

The Rani Padmini Palace is a three-story white palace in the southern expanse of the fort. It is embellished with pavilions known as Chhatris on its roofs and surrounded by a water moat, adding to its architectural grandeur. Ratan Singh built the Padmini Palace within the river to protect the Queen cool from the harsh temperatures of Chittorgarh, ensuring her comfort year-round.

The palace also witnessed the unveiling of Rani Padmini’s reflection in a mirror by Alauddin Khilji following the epic duel between Rana Ratan Singh and him. Visitors are allowed to enter one half of the palace, while the other, surrounded by water on all sides, is inaccessible.

Jain Temple and Kirti Stambha

Kirti Stambha, translating to the “Tower of Fame,” is 22 meters tall with a 30-foot base and a 15-foot pinnacle. Adorning its exterior are intricate Jain sculptures, a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Despite being older, this towering structure is shorter than the Victory Tower, yet it emanates a unique charm. Jijaji Rathod, a Bagherwal Jain businessman, built the tower in commemoration of Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar.

Adjacent to the Kirti Stambha lies the Jain temple, dedicated to Tirthankar Adinatha. This temple is a marvel of intricate carving and breathtaking beauty. Further, known as Sattavish Devri, this location bears witness to a rich history, once home to 27 temples that graced the landscape with their spiritual presence.

Other Things to Do in Chittorgarh Fort.

• Visit the battleground where Rana Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khilji once clashed. It is now transformed into a lush green grassland. Adjacent to this historic fighting zone stands another stone stairway entrance to the fort.
• Venture to the Jauhar site, where the courageous Rani Padmini and her companions embraced self-immolation following the intense battle between Rana Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khilji. The crater, now covered in mud, is an integral part of the Vijaya Stambh complex.
• Near the museum, indulge in horseback riding or capture the essence of Rajasthan by posing for pictures in traditional Rajasthani attire.

How To Reach Chittorgarh Fort

(From Udaipur)

By Road

Bike/Car:

• Chittorgarh is well-connected by road to all major cities in India.
• Chittorgarh Fort is about 120 kilometers from Udaipur. Take NH48 through Debari, Dabok, Mangalwad, and Rithola. It will take around 2 hours to reach.

Bus:

• There are good bus services to and from Udaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Kota, and other major cities.
• The bus stop in Chittorgarh is in the heart of the old and new city. It is around 2 kilometers from the fort.
• Numerous buses run every 2 hours from Udaipur to Chittorgarh. It will take about 2 and a half hours to get there. If you’re taking the bus from Udaipur, stop along the way to see Sanwariya Ji Temple located around 40km from Chittorgarh before continuing to the fort. This is a lovely Hindu temple devoted to Lord Krishna.

By Rail

• Chittorgarh has two major railway stations.
• Chittorgarh junction station is about 6 kilometers from the fort and connects all key places in North and South India.
• Another little crossroads about 10 kilometers from the fort is Chanderiya. This is also a major junction that connects all of the nearby cities in North India.
• Consider how you intend to arrive and depart from here. Because, if we look at the timings, arriving at one junction and departing at another is usually easier and faster than booking in the same station if you plan to see Chittorgarh Fort on your trip to Jaipur from Udaipur or vice versa. You can easily hire an auto or a cab from the stations to the fort.

By Air

• The nearest Udaipur or Dabok domestic airport is about 70 kilometers away from Chittorgarh.
• Jaipur (Sanganer) airport is nearly 300 kilometers away and is well connected to Chittorgarh via bus, cabs, and trains.

If you’re planning a vacation to Udaipur, see our post on the Udaipur itinerary for a recommended itinerary and Udaipur attractions for places to visit in Udaipur.

Travel Tips To Visit Chittorgarh Fort

• Chittorgarh Fort is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. The entry fee is 40 rupees for Indians and 200 rupees for foreigners. It grants access to all the fort’s prominent locations. Additionally, a separate museum entry ticket is available for 25 rupees.
• Immerse yourself in the regal history with the Light and Sound Show at Kumbha Place in Chittorgarh. Running from 7 pm to 8 pm, the show narrates the Chittorgarh Fort’s tales in both Hindi and English. Please note that the show does not operate regularly during the off-season, so verify in advance if you wish to attend it. Neither the Kumbha Palace nor the Light and Sound show was open during our visit.
• You can venture to all the prominent sites of the fort in just 2 to 3 hours, following a circular path that includes the Museum, Rana Khumba Palace, Krishna Meera Temple, Victory Tower complex, Jauhar site, Shiva Temple, Gaumukh Kund, Kali Mata Temple, Padmini Palace, War Zone, and Jain Temple along with Kirti Stambh.
• For a seamless exploration of the Chittorgarh Fort, consider hiring an auto for half a day at an approximate cost of 500-800 rupees. These native drivers not only drive but also serve as knowledgeable tour guides, providing insights into the historical value of each location.
• If you prefer a more personalized experience, local guides are available at the Fort. They will charge around 200 rupees.
• Wear sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen for a comfortable visit to the fort.

General Tips

• To enjoy the pleasant weather, visit Chittorgarh during winter, which runs from October to February. Alternatively, the rainy season, spanning from July to September, offers a pleasant atmosphere with mild rainfall. Because the rain is only expected to last a few hours, it won’t disrupt your plans. However, be wary of the scorching summer temperatures, which can make exploring the fort quite challenging.
• While there are no restaurants within the fort complex, Chittorgarh city has numerous dining options catering to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
• For accommodation, the new city area or locations near the bus stop provide lodging choices that suit various budgets and preferences.

Finally, Chittorgarh Fort is an eternal testament of Rajasthan’s regal past and architectural grandeur. Plan your vacation to this UNESCO World Heritage Site for an exciting experience filled with rich history.