Chittorgarh - Rajasthan - India

Rajasthan, the combination of two Hindi words (1) King  (2) Place, means Place of Kings. Before becoming Rajasthan, it was scattered in many small states ruled by different kings of their time. All these states were united by Mewar's Rana's and turned it into a whole big state of India as Rajputana (Rajasthan).

There are so many heritage sites and places which you would like to visit.

Chittorgarh:

• Chittorgarh Fort:
                           Chittor Durg is one of the largest forts in India and in the state Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. The fort, popularly known as Chittorgarh. It used to be the capital of Mewar's Maharanas and is today situated in Chittorgarh City. It was initially ruled by Guhil Rulers and later by Sisodias clans (Rana's), the Suryavanshi clans of Kshattariya Rajputs, from the 7th century, until 1568 because after 1568, it was abandoned when Mughal Emperor Akbar siege it. 
             It spreads over a hill 590.6 ft in height with an area of 280 hectares (691.9 acres) above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. A series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers. These monumental ruins have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.
  
  
  

             The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; First; in 1303, when Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, Second; in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and Third time; in 1567 Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II, who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD.

            Thus, the fort represents the quintessence of tribute to the nationalism, courage, medieval chivalry and sacrifice exhibited by the Mewar rulers of Sisodia and their kinsmen and women and children, between the 7th and 16th centuries. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonor in the face of surrender to the foreign invading armies

• Tower of Victory:
              Tower of victory is a large nine storey tower which was built by Maharana Kumbha to celebrate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. The tower is 122 ft high and stands on a 10 ft height. There are sculptures and carvings on the exterior walls of the tower. The tower is visible from any section of the town below. And for reaching tower top one have to climb more than 150 steps, one can take great view of the surroundings. The inside walls of the tower are carved with images of Gods, weapons, etc.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Tower of fame:
           Tower of Fame is tower is dedicated to Rishabha, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. It was built by a merchant and is decorated with figures form the Jain pantheon. It is a seven storied pillar which was built by Biherwal Mahajan Sanaya of Digambar Jain sect during 12th century AD. On its four corners are engraved idols of Shri Adinathji in Digambar style which each are five feet (about 1.5 meters) high and elsewhere are engraved several small idols consecrated to Jain lineage of deities.
       
  
• Gurumukh Reservoir):           A spring feeds the tank from a carved cow’s mouth in the cliff. This pool was the main source of water at the fort during the numerous sieges. 
      
• Palace of Queen Padmini:
            Rani Padmini's Palace is from which Alauddin Khilji / अल्लाउद्दीन ख़िलजी (one of the rulers of Khilji dynasty during the sultanate rule over India) was allowed to watch a reflection of the Rani by replacing the mirror at such an angle that even if he turned back he could not see the room. Khilji had been warned by the Rani's husband Rawal Ratan Singh that if he turned back they would cut his neck.      
  
  
• Temple of Meera):
             Meera Maa's (A True follower of lord krishna) temple is made here. Rana Khumba built it in an ornate Indo–Aryan architectural style. It is associated with the mystic saint-poet Mirabai who was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and dedicated her entire life to His worship.
             She composed and sang lyrical bhajans called Meera Bhajans. The popular legend associated with her is that with blessings of Krishna, she survived after consuming poison sent to her by her evil brother-in-law. The larger temple in the same compound is the Kumbha Shyam Temple (Varaha Temple).
       
  
  
  
  
  
  The pinnacle of the temple is in pyramid shape. A picture of Meerabai praying before Krishna has now been installed in the temple
    
• Kalika Devi's Temple:
             Kalika Mata Temple was originally built in the 8th century for Sun God and was later converted to a temple for mother Goddess, Kali in the 14th century.During the festival days of Navaratri, fairs are organised and pilgrims from different places come here to pay obeisance at the temple.             Across from Padmini’s Palace is the Kalika Mata Temple. Originally, a Sun Temple dated to the 8th century dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) was destroyed in the 14th century. It was rebuilt as a Kali temple. 
  
  
• Fateh Prakash Palace: 
          
• Seven Gates: 
             Seven Gates, which are famous in Chittorgarh fort.
             1. Ganesh Pol
             2. Padan Pol 
             3. Jodala Pol
             4. Bhairon Pol
  
  
  
             5.  Ram Pol
             6.  Lakshman Pol
             7.  Hanuman Pol
• Jain Temples:  
              The hill fort also contains Jain temples, such as Shringar Chauri (1448) and Sat Bis Devri (mid-15th century) Also the two tower memorials, Kirti Stambh (13th-14th century) and Vijay Stambha (1433-1468), are Jain monuments.
    
• Rana Kumbha's Palace:
             Rana Kumbha's Palace is near the Vijay Stambh. This is the birthplace of Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur. His life was saved by the heroic act of the maid Panna Dhay, who replaced her son 'Chandan' in place of the prince 'Udai SIngh II', with the result that her son was killed by Banbir. She carried the prince away to safety in a fruit basket. Rani Meera Bai also lived in this palace. This is the place where Queen Padmini committed jauhar with the other ladies in one of the underground cellars.

         

More Links to visit

1.   Udaipur                       2.  Chittorgarh

3.   Ajmer                          4.   Jaipur

5.   Jaisalmer                    6.   Jodhpur 

7.   Kota                             8.   Mount Abu (Sirohi)

9.   Bikaner                     10.   Bundi

11.  Rajsamand               12.   Bharatpur