If you are planning a trip to Chittorgarh then here’s your complete Chittorgarh travel guide. From the best time to visit Chittorgarh to the top places to visit and planning the Chittorgarh tour itinerary, this tour guide has all the relevant information to plan your trip. With its fascinating attractions and tales of valor and sacrifices, Chittorgarh attracts many tourists from around the world. It has one of the greatest fortresses in the Rajasthan state, which has witnessed the legendary tale of Queen Padmini’s Jauhar that fascinates historians and travelers. If you are planning a trip to Chittorgarh, this travel guide will be useful for you.
Popular Places to Visit in Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh boasts royal palaces and many other heritage sites you must visit during your trip. Here are the most popular places to visit in Chittorgarh:
Chittorgarh Fort
Perched over a 180-meter-high hill, Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. This colossal structure expands over a 700-acre area. This is a pride of Chittorgarh and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort has a circumference of about 13 km (8 miles). While walking through the fort, you will feel the tales of valor, sacrifice, and defiance echo through the walls of the fort. You will wander for hours unveiling its history and marveling at its enduring beauty. This massive fortress has several places within its walls, including Jain and Hindu Temples.
While exploring the fort, you will see 65 structures, which include temples, palaces, water bodies, and memorials, and victory towers. A long road leads to the fort where you go through the seven gates. Each gate has a different name, which was built to protect the fort from attackers. However, the fort was besieged three times by Muslim attackers. When Chittorgarh was captured by Akbar, the capital of Mewar was changed from there to Udaipur.
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the best places to visit in Chittorgarh and almost all the top attractions are located inside the fort.
Meera Temple
One of the most famous places to visit in Chittorgarh is Meera Bai Temple. Meera Bai was a devotee of Lord Krishna. She was born in Chittorgarh, but she had given up on her lavish princess lifestyle to worship lord Krishna. She was a poetess and saint. A temple was constructed dedicated to her. It is one of the famous temples to visit during your Rajasthan tours. The beautiful artwork of this temple attracts tourists from all around the world every year. The temple is built in the Indo-Aryan architecture style.
Here you will see both Meera Bai Temple and Kumbha Shyam Temple as both are built on the same ground. The temple has a spiritual ambiance and provides complete peace of mind to every visitor. Being both a religious and historical place is what makes this temple an important place to visit in Chittorgarh.
Tower of Victory (Vijay Stambh)
Tower of Victory or Vijay Stambh stands tall and mighty in the Chittorgarh Fort. In the 14th century, this tower was built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mohammad Khalji. It is a nine-storied tower that is adorned with sculptures of Hindu Gods and deities. The architecture of the tower reflects the historical tradition of its time effectively. The tower has a steep staircase that leads to the top floor from where you can see the breathtaking view of the city. It is the best example of the Rajput architecture. The panoramic view of the surroundings you get through the tower makes it a must-see attraction in Chittorgarh.
The tower is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has many sculptures of Hindu deities. Inside the temple, you will see the carvings of musical instruments, weapons, and other things that were used in the 14th century. Vijay Stambh is approx. 37 meters tall and one has to take around 157 steps to reach the top floor. On each floor, you find something different to see, like on the 9th floor, you will see the image of Jain Goddess Padmavati, the names of the architects on the fifth floor, and on the 3rd and 8th floors, you will see Allah's name carved in Arabic, showing how religious diversity existed even during those times in India.
Padmini’s Palace
One of the most famous places you must visit during your trip to Rajasthan is Padmini’s Palace. The palace’s name is after Queen Padmini of Chittorgarh. Nestled in the Chittorgarh Fort, Padmini’s Palace is a real example of Rajput architectural elegance. It was the residence of Rani Padmini and her husband King Ratan Singh. It is said that this palace was the reason for the battle between King Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khalji. It is the legendary place where Alauddin Khalji was permitted to have a glimpse of Rani Padmini on a mirror placed in the main hall. He was smitten with her beauty, due to which he fought a fierce battle with the King.
The palace overlooks a serene pond. Even the view from inside the palace is mesmerizing. A visit to Maharani Padmini’s Palace gives you an insight into the history of Chittorgarh. You can visit the palace between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm.
Rana Kumbha Palace
One of the most interesting places to visit in Chittorgarh is Rana Kumbha Palace. This massive palace is inside the Chittorgarh Fort. The ruins of this massive structure reveal what an imposing structure it was in the time of its glory. It is one of the largest monuments in the fort and was once the residence of many people like Bappa Rawal, Maharana Kumbha, Princess Meera Bai, Rani Padmini, and others. This palace showcases the intricate carvings with stunning courtyards. The palace resonates with the tales of valor and sacrifices. This historic marvel gives a glimpse of the great Rajput architectural grandeur. It is said that the place where Rani Padmini and other women of the place committed Johar is located in this palace only.
Fateh Prakash Palace
Nestled within the ancient walls of Chittorgarh Fort, Fateh Prakash Palace is a treasure trove of Rajasthan's rich heritage and royal legacy. This palace served as the royal Rana’s residence. Visiting this magnificent palace takes you to an era of opulence and valor. It was built by Maharana Pratap Singh. Visiting this palace will let you experience the royal charm during your Rajasthan trip. The palace has a big Ganesh idol, a fountain, crystal objects, and frescos that decorate the floor of the palace. Today, this palace houses a museum, where you can see the historical artifacts and other items. When you walk through the museum hall, you will see the portraits of former rulers and legends along with carved furniture and weapons. The museum is the best place to understand the history of the palace and Chittorgarh.
Gaumukh Reservoir
Situated on the western part, Gaumukh Reservoir is one of the most important water bodies in the Chittorgarh fort, The reservoir has a great holy significance. It has got its name from a Gaumukh (cow’s mouth) )-like structure where the water flows from and fills the reservoir. The water of the reservoir is considered holy and has medicinal properties. It is said that tourists and devotees who are visiting the pilgrimage sites in the fort must visit Gaumukh Kund to complete their holy journey.
Kalika Mata Temple
Kalika Mata Temple is one of the famous Hindu pilgrimage sites in Chittorgarh. This temple was earlier dedicated to the God Sun and later dedicated to the Goddess Kalika. The temple is located on a hilltop which gives a panoramic view of the city. This temple is one of the most visited places in Chittorgarh and must be explored by everyone during their Rajasthan tours. The temple is adorned with intricate carvings. It attracts both devotees seeking spiritual solace and architecture lovers.
Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
Apart from historical places to visit in Chittorgarh, the place is blessed with some wildlife sanctuaries. Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous sanctuaries to visit in Chittorgarh which is home to diverse flora and fauna. It is located just 25 km from Chittorgarh near the Bassi village. The forest of the sanctuary was the hunting ground for former rulers of Mewar state. The shooting towers are worth seeing here. The sanctuary is open for tourists all year round, but the place looks enthralling in the autumnal months in October and November.
About Chittorgarh
Situated in the southern part of Rajasthan, Chittorgarh is a small city on the banks of the Berach River, famous for its massive fortress—Chittorgarh Fort. The city is just 112 km from Udaipur and approx. 182 km from Ajmer. Once the capital of Mewar, Chittorgarh is now a popular tourist destination in India. It is famous for its tourism, cultural values, and historical places.
Chittorgarh houses the massive Chittorgarh fortress which is claimed to be the largest among all the forts in Rajasthan. Sprawling over a hill of 180 m in height, Chittorgarh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a prominent attraction of the town. The fort is replete with several architectural marvels. It has a total of 65 structures that you will witness within the ancient walls of the forts. These structures include large temples, palaces, memorials, and victory towers. Along with this, the fort has many water bodies or lakes. Besides, the city has some wildlife sanctuaries. It has many things that will keep you busy throughout the trip. All these attractions make Chittorgarh a perfect holiday destination in Rajasthan.
When you are planning your trip, book at least a 3-day Chittorgarh tour itinerary. This will let you cover all the ancient temples, palaces, and attractions along with wildlife sanctuaries and bazaars. Chittorgarh is one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan. Let the beauty and grandeur of the city transport you to the ancient era. Whether you seek solace or a simple vacation with your family to explore the heritage of Rajasthan, Chittorgarh has everything you need.
Where is Chittorgarh
Chittor or Chittorgarh is one of the major historical cities in Rajasthan. It is the city that stands as a testament to valor and cultural pride. It lies in the Berach River. The city is in the southern part of the Rajasthan state, located in the northwestern part of India.
Best Time to Visit Chittorgarh
The best time to visit Chittorgarh is in the winter season. From November to February the weather remains pleasant making it easy for exploration. March to June are the hottest months and Chittorgarh tours must be avoided during the summer season. The rainy season from July to September is also not suitable for exploration because of the humid climate.
Ideal Chittorgarh Tour Itinerary
Ideally, 2 days are enough for Chittorgarh tours. We suggest you book a 2-day Chittorgarh tour package to explore all the attractions and historical places. The first day you can spend exploring the ancient places and temples inside the fort. The next day you can go on a jungle safari at any popular wildlife sanctuary in Chittorgarh Such as Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary.
How to Reach Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh is one of the popular cities and attractions of many Rajasthan tour packages. Hence, it has a good network of roads and rail. Therefore, it is easy to reach Chittorgarh by the means of road, rail, and air.
By Road
Chittorgarh is approx. 500 km from Delhi. You get direct buses from Delhi. The city is well connected to many major cities in the state and other cities in the country. You get direct buses from Jaipur and Ajmer. So, you get Volvo and state-transit buses to reach Chittorgarh. Or, you can hire a private taxi or cab to travel to Chittorgarh.
By Train
Chittorgarh is also well-connected to major cities in India by rail. It has a railway station connected with many major cities in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, Bhilwara, and Jodhpur. You get direct trains from these cities. Besides, weekly trains are also available from Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Agra.
By Air
There is no airport in Chittorgarh and the nearest airport to Chittorgarh is in Udaipur called Dabok Airport. The cities that have direct flights to Dabok airport are Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. Udaipur Dabok Airport is just 80 km from Chittorgarh which can be covered in 2 hours.
