How to go there?
Where to stay/ Accommodation
When to visit?
What to see?
Anything special/ Add your own points.
Ans.
Chittorgarh Fort
Introduction: Chittorgarh Fort is one of the most important forts in India. It is in the state of Rajasthan. It stands ona rocky upland that is 500 feet high. The fort is spread through 700 acres. Rana Kumbha was the one who officially built this fort. His palace is the oldest monument within the fort.
i. How to go there: Chittorgarh Fort is well connected with rest of India. One can go to Chittorgarh Fort by the way of Bus or Train:
Bus: The State Transport Bus Services and many other private Bus Services are available from Mumbai to Chittorgarh Fort.
Train: There are many trains available which can take you to Chittorgarh Fort. The most convenient is “Mumbai – Chittorgarh Fort Express”
ii. Where to Stay: Accommodation is no problem in Chittorgarh Fort. The Government tourist Hotels and other Big and Small hotels are available to suit everyone’s budget.
iii. When to Visit: June to October is the best time of the year to visit Chittorgarh Fort.
iv. What to See: The climate and scenery of Chittorgarh Fort is mind – blowing. It is a well planned hill station with huge roads, parks, theatres, and gardens, there are many interesting places to see like Bull Temple, Lord Ganesh Temple, Dolphin Nose, Flower Garden, Lord Murugan Temple, Palatial Buildings, etc,.
v. Shopping: Shopping in Chittorgarh Fort is fun. One can buy very traditional and well as modern things from Chittorgarh Fort. Chittorgarh Fort is very famous for woollen clothes.
vi. Anything Special As far as food is concerned Chittorgarh Fort is famous for Black tea, Idli, Vada, Sambar, Masala dosa, Idli fry, Prawns fry, Mugal Briyani, etc. The people are very culture oriented and highly intelligent. They give more importance to their education.
Note: Consider the real fact about Chittorgarh Fort before writing Tourist Leaflet in the above given format.
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the most important forts in India. It is in the state of Rajasthan. It stands ona rocky upland that is 500 feet high. The fort is spread through 700 acres. Rana Kumbha was the one who officially built this fort. His palace is the oldest monument within the fort.
The palace was built from 1433 - 1468. It was built with plastered stone. The entrance is known as ‘Suraj pol’. Darikhana or Sabha (council chamber), Ganesha temple and the zenana (residence for women) are the main attractions of the fort. But the most attractive features of the palace is its canopied balconies. There are also stables for elephant and horses, houses for nobles and palace attendants. But, they have been almost ruined now.
Rani Padmini’s Palace is another monument that catches one’s attention. It is a three storied white building. The palace is surrounded by water. The balconies make the palace really charming. Bhimlat kund is an artificial tank existing near this palace. It is dedicated to Bhima, the strongest of the Pandava brothers. There is a three - storied tower called Chonda house. It was built in early 15th century.
The Naulakha Bhandar (nine lakh treasury) was built by Rana Kumbha. It is small fort in itself. It was here that all the wealth of Chittor was stored. In northeastern corner there is a small temple called Shringar Chaori. It has some beautiful carvings of gods and goddesses,. It is a Jain temple which was built into the fort wall in 1448. Two big temples also are within the fort. One was built by Rana Kumbha and the other by Mir Bai. Rana Kumbha’s Vrij temple was built around 1450. It is dedicated Varah, the god with the body of a man and the head of a boar.
Another monument within the fort is Kunwar Pade ka Mahal. It was the place of the price of Chittor. It was built in 1450. Ogee arches or the S - Shaped arches are the speciality of this palace. The Rajputs used such arches for the first time in this palace. Later, they became the trademark of Rajput architecture. The blue tiles used in this palace also are very beautiful and attractive.
Fateh Prakash is the most modern building in Chittor. It was built in the early 20th century. This palace was the residence of Maharana Fateh Singh, Chittor’s ruler. He died in 1930. Now, the Government of India has established a museum in a part of the building.
The main gateway to the fort is something to be mentioned. There is a limestone bridge leading to the fort. It is supported by ten arches. The bridge is built across the Gambheri River. Altogether, there are seven imposing gateways. They are massive stone structures. They were powerful enough to resist the attacks with elephants and cannot shots. There is an ancient Tulja Bhawani temple in honour of goddess Tulja.
Bappa Rawal built the Kallika Mata temple in the 8th century. It was dedicated to Surya, the Sun god. After its destruction Rana Hammir rebuilt it as a Kali temple in the 14th century. Mahasati is a small terrace. The Ranas of Chittor were cremated in the Mahasati. Stones marking satis surround it. Sati was custom existed in the Indian Society. As per this, the widows were burnt alive with the bodies of their husbands. Gaumukh is a fountain formed in the mouth of a ‘cow’.
Vijaystambha or Victory Tower is the most impressive monument of Chittor. Rana Kumbha erected it from 1457 - 1458. He erected it after he defeated the combined armies of Malwa and Gujarat. The tower is 122 feet high. It has nine stories and the base itself is 42 feet broad. Each of the nine stories had doorways leading into balconies. An architect called Jaita in the Jain style designed it.
