Transport
The completed Golden Quadrilateral highway system will pass
through Chittorgarh, connecting it to much of the rest of India. Also crossing the East West Corridor (Express Highway). The Chittorgarh is situated at
National Highway No. 76 & 79, both the Highways are crossing at Chittorgarh. National Highway 76 connects toKotawithin 2 hours. It is well connected by rail withJaipur via Bhilwara and Ajmer,Kota via Bundi,Jodhpur via Ajmer,Indore Junction BG, Bhopal,Indore Mhow, Ujjain,Ratlam,Nagda Junction,Ajmer andFatehabad by many Broad gauge trains. The city is also connected to Udaipur City via Mavli Jn.
Thus, Chittaur Garh is a major rail head of south Rajasthan. Some weekly trains to Hyderabad and Kolkata are passing through this station. The town still
lacks connectivity to Bikaner, Ahmedabad, Jabalpur and Nagpur, so in order to catch trains for further destinations one has to reach Kota, Ratlam or Ajmer.
Places of Interest
Chittorgarh fort inside
Temple inside Chittorgarh fort
Chittorgarh Fort
The Chittorgarh Fort seated on a 180 metre hill, covers an expanse of
700 acres (2.8 km2). It was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century AD. There is also a belief that it was constructed by Bhima of the
Pancha Pandavas. This fort was the citadel of many great Indian warriors such as Gora, Badal,Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap, Jaimal, Patta, etc.
Jain temple at Kirtistambha
Kalika Mata 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.
Vijay Stambh
Vijay Stambha
, is a huge nine storey tower which was built by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat in 1440. The tower
is 122 ft (37 m) high and stands on a 10 ft (3.0 m) high base. 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 157 steps, one can take great view of the surroundings. The inside walls
of the tower are carved with images of Gods, weapons, etc. [1]
Kirti Stambh
Kirti Stambh
is tower is dedicated to Rishabha, the firstTirthankara 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 1.5meters) high and elsewhere are engraved several small idols consecrated to Jain lineage of deities.
Jain Kirti Stambha
Rana Kumbha's Palace
Rana Kumbha's Palace is near the Vijay Stambh. This is the birthplace ofMaharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur. His life was saved by the heroic act of the maid Panna Dhay, who replaced her
son in place of the prince, 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 Rani Padmini committed jauhar with the other ladies in one of the underground cellars. [1]
Rani Padmini's Palace
Rani Padmini's Palace is from which Alauddin Khilji (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.
