- Best time
- October to March
- Altitude
- Fort hill about 180 m above the plain
- Nearest airport
- Maharana Pratap Airport, Dabok (Udaipur)
- Nearest railway station
- Chittorgarh Junction
- Ideal time needed
- Half a day to a full day
History
Local legend links the fort to Bhima of the Mahabharata. Its recorded story is one of repeated sieges: Alauddin Khilji captured it in 1303, a campaign tied in popular memory to Rani Padmini. Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and later the Mughal emperor Akbar also took the fort, and it returned to the Mewar rulers only in the early seventeenth century, in the reign of Jahangir. By then the Mewar court had moved to Udaipur.
What to see inside the fort
- Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory), a nine-storey tower built by Rana Kumbha in the 1440s, carved with Hindu deities; the narrow stairs lead to views over the town
- Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame), a twelfth-century tower raised by a Jain merchant and dedicated to Adinatha, the first Tirthankara
- Rani Padmini's Palace, set beside a lotus pool
- A group of Jain temples, the largest dedicated to Adinatha
- Fateh Prakash Palace, once the home of Maharana Fateh Singh and now a museum with local wood craft and arms
- Kalika Mata Temple, first built as a Sun temple and later dedicated to the goddess Kali
Best time to visit
October to March is the best season, when the days are pleasant for walking around the fort. Summer is harsh, with temperatures above 40°C. The monsoon brings moderate rain and a greener landscape, though the stone paths can be slippery.
How to reach
The closest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport at Dabok near Udaipur. Chittorgarh Junction railway station has trains from Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaipur and Delhi. Rajasthan state buses connect the town with most cities in the state, and autos are easy to hire for the ride up to the fort.
Tips for your visit
The fort is large, so hire an auto or car for the circuit rather than walking between every monument. Plan at least half a day, carry water and a hat, and start early to avoid the midday sun.
Places to see in Chittorgarh
Also nearby
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