Chittorgarh ( formally Chittaurgarh) or Chittor : was the capital of former Rajput state Mewar , which is remembered for bravery and valour of their rulers. Formerly, Chittorgarh was a fort city. The formidable fort at the top of a hill is still intact. Apart from its historical importance it has a number of temples, including Kalika Mata Temple. The city is also famous for personalities like Maharana Pratap, Meera Bai, Panna Dhai, Rani Padmini, Rana Kumbha etc. Chittorgarh is also an important industrial city. The city is well known for it's Marble Industry,Cement Plants, Zinc Smelter and Industrial Materials.
Chittorgarh Quick facts
Chittorgarh Geography and Climate
Chittaurgarh is located at [show location on an interactive map] 24°53′N 74°38′E / 24.88°N 74.63°E / 24.88; 74.63.[6] It has an average elevation of 394 metres (1292 feet).
Climate
Chittorgarh is located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. It is located beside a high hill near the Gambheri River. The climate of Chittorgarh is arid. Summers are quite hot (April-June) and winters are cool (October-February). It experiences scant rainfall between June and August. The best time to visit Chittorgarh is in winters.
Best time to visit Chittorgarh
The best time to visit Chittorgarh is in winter.
Chittorgarh Orientation
Chittorgarh It is famous for its Chittorgarh Fort, which is located on a steep hill beside the modern township. A zigzag wayof about 1 km up, through seven gates leads the tourist to its main western gate or Rampol. The main gate on the eastern side of the fort is known as the Surajpol. Though most of the monuments in the fort are in ruins,they reflect the glory of its great rulers.
Chittorgarh Distance(s)
This town is situated besides a high hill near the Gambheri River. It is 112 km from Udaipur and 182 km from Ajmer, 585km from Delhi
The main bus stand is also on the western banks of Gambheri River. There are good bus services to Ajmer, Bundi, Kota and Udaipur from Chittorgarh.
How to reach Chittorgarh by Rail
Chittorgarh railway station is located on the western banks of Gambheri River. It has rail links with Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kota and Delhi.
Elephant Festival (March) A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers. Elephant races, elephant polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all parts of this spectacular event.
Gangaur (April):The most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur celebrations lasts for 18 days. It is dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan. The images of Gauri are decorated and offerings are made. This is also an auspicious day for young people to select their life partners. Colourful procession with the town band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating spectacle.
Chittorgarh Religious Places
Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower): It was built in 1440 AD. by Maharaja Kumbha, a powerful ruler of Mewar, to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat. It is 37 metre high structure with nine storeys, covered with exquisite sculptures of Hindu deities.
Meera & Kumbha Shyam Temple: Close to the Fateh Prakash Palace is the Meera temple built during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the ornate Indo-Aryan style and associated with the mystic-poetess Meerabai. The larger temple which is in this same compound is the Kumbha Shyam temple, or temple of Varah.
Chittorgarh Monuments
Chittorgarh Fort: It was built by Rana Kumbha in honour his victory over Mahmud Khilji,the ruler of Malwa in1440. This 37-m, 9-storied tower has a number of balconies, from where the tourist can look at the monuments within the fort. Gaumukh reservoir and the Palace of Queen Padmini are important spots to the south of the Rana Kumbha Palace.
Other than the Rana Kumbha Palace other places to visit in Chittorgarh are the Archeological Museum, the Singa Chowri Temple, and the Fateh Prakash Palace and Museum. The Victory Tower or Vijay Stambh is one of the main tourist attractions inside the Chittorgarh Fort.
Chittorgarh Shopping
Chittorgarh offers a fascinating shopping experience to the tourists. The historic city of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan is known for its range of exquisite handicrafts -metal ware, fabrics and shoes which come from the various villages in Chittorgarh.
While shopping in Chittorgarh, you can buy beautiful thewa jewellery (gold designs embedded in glass), colorful leather jutis (shoes) made of camel leather with embroidery on them and Akola fabrics (painted with vegetable dyes). The wooden painted toys from Bassi village are also items that can be ideal souvenirs with a distinct touch of Chittorgarh.
The main shopping centers in Chittorgarh are Sadar Bazaar, Rana Sanga Market, New Cloth Market, Fort Road Market, Gandhi Chowk and Station Circle.
Famous To Eat at Chittorgarh
The best-known Rajasthani food is the combination of dal, bati and churma
Chittorgarh Museum and Hill Stations
Chittaugarh (Fateh Prakash Palace Museum) It has a great collection of sculptures. The section devoted to weapons consists of old daggers, armoury shields, helmets, axes, farsa, knives and soldier’s uniforms. The clay models of local tribes with their traditional outfits have also been displayed in a room. The entire palatial museum has been divided in various sections like archaeology, coins, art gallery, wood crafts of Bassi village, weapons and tribal life.
Gardens and Parks at Chittorgarh
Introduction to Padmini's Garden:
Padmini's Gardens in Chittorgarh, is a good place to spend some time leisure time when in Chittorgarh. It is replete with a wide array of beautiful flowers. The Garden has been erected in commemoration of the woman also referred to as the Cleopatra of the East. The queen was given in marriage to the Rana of Chittorgarh. During a siege by the Mughals, she was forced to commit suicide. The garden bears considerable resemblance to the other gardens in Chittorgarh, but a westernization that is observable here is lacking in the rest of them.
History of the Padmini's Garden, Chittorgarh:
The history of Padmini's Garden dates back to the time when queen Padmini's beauty drew people who wished to have a glimpse of the queen's extraordinary fairness. Ala ud din Khilji fell in love with the mirror image of the Queen and wanted to marry her. But in order to save her honor, she committed suicide by throwing herself into the fire. From that time, the queen is commemorated through her garden, an epitome of her own beauty.
Description of Padmini's Garden :
The gardens are extremely well maintained. The palace is built is such a way that Queen Padmini used to sit in the pavilion and her image was reflected in the water below. People could also see her reflection in the mirror placed in the proper corner. The garden just enhanced her marvelous beauty. The Mewar family used to spend their summer time over here, amidst the beautiful garden. Herein lies the importance of this place.
Chittorgarh Seasonals
Weather & Best Season of Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh has a desert like dry climate.
* Summers(March - May) in Chittorgarh have a temperature range of 23 °C to 44 °C, and typically tourists avoid April and may months from visiting Chittorgarh.
* Monsoons (June to September) have intermittent rainfalls and the atmosphere is generally humid. Rainy seasons are good to enjoy the eye feasting waterfalls like Menal’s waterfall.
* Winters (December to February) are pleasant with temperature ranges in 11°C to 28 °C.
Best season to visit Chittorgarh is September to March.
* October to March offers warm and pleasant climate and ideal for sight seeing.
* June to September is good for city travels and short trips. It is ideal for those enthused with pretty showers.
* April and May are extremely hot and outings may be avoided.
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