Chittorgarh

Get around

Much of the district, particularly the Chittorgarh Fort, lends itself leisure to explore and trek.

See

Many of the historical sights are in ruins and within the fortress compound. It takes approximately 3 hours to see everything. If you are planning a full-day tour in the area, a morning visit to the fort followed by visiting some of the nearby attractions makes a good itinerary.

Do

The prime tourist attraction in Chittorgarh is the fort of Chittogarh, which is located on a steep hill beside the main township. The chhatris or memorials of Jaimal and Kalla which mark the spots where they fell while bravely defending the fort during a siege in 1586 speaks for the valor of Rajputs. Rana Kumbha Palace is an important spot and it is believed that Queen Padmini had performed jauhar in one of its cellars. The Archeological Museum, the Singa Chowri Temple, and the Fateh Prakash Palace and Museum adjacent to Rana Kumbha Palace are worth visiting. The Victory Tower or Vijay Stambh is one of the main tourist attractions of the fort. The Tower of Fame or Kirti Stambh is another important monument. It was built in 12th century and is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara (spiritual leader).

To feel the existence of Rani Padmavati, stroll down the marble gallery of Padmini Palace, also watch the reflection of yours on the crystal clear water of the Pond inside the Palace.

Buy

Chittorgarh has many bazaars that sell various items including metalwork, fabrics, Thewa jewelry, leather shoes and handmade toys. Thewa jewelry is made up of golden designs that are later embedded in glass. Some of the best places to shop around are Sadar Bazaar, Rana Sanga Market, New Cloth Market, Fort Road Market, Gandhi Chowk, and Station Circle. The Akola printed fabrics that are made from vegetable dyes is one of the major draws and is available only in certain parts of India.

Eat

There are many roadside local joints to eat. Some of the most popular places to eat are:

Drink

Most of the bars belong to the high end hotels in the town. Visitors can visit these bars to enjoy the night time.

Stay safe

The heat in Chittorgarh can be torturous and one would need sufficient sun protection such as shades and caps. It would also do to bring along a sunscreen lotion for those with delicate skin to avoid heat burn. Wear a strong pair of shoes while climbing the Chittorgarh Fort to avoid getting hurt and spraining your ankles.

The monkeys at the fort generally do not harm anyone but always keep a safe distance as they are unpredictable creatures. Besides be careful while resting under a tree as some monkey sitting above might just drop their excreta on you!

The fort is massive and hiring bicycles would ensure that your exploration of the place is not as tiring. One could get lost in the fort, so make sure that you travel in groups and with local guides.

Go next

Ajmer - An ancient town, 191 km from Chittorgarh is famous among the spiritual and religious sects for the shrine of Khwaja Ajmer Sheriff and the only Brahma temples by the banks of Lake Pushkar. Bhilwara - The administrative city of Mewar region, 58 km from Chittorgarh. The city contains some of the exquisite neolithic temples that adorn the Nagar style of architecture. Bundi - An ancient town 140 km from Chittorgarh inhabited by local tribesmen famous for its historical fortresses and kunds (holy wells). Jaipur - The capital city of Rajasthan, 318 km from Chittorgarh also known as Pink City is the house of magnificent forts and fortresses and the splendid Hawa Mahal. Udaipur - The princely state of Mewar (pre independence), 113 km from Chittorgarh is famous for its lakes and palaces. A current tourist favorite, especially for up-market Westerners.