Sights in Chittorgarh
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Padmini's Palace
Continuing south from the Gaumukh Reservoir, you reach Padmini's Palace, beside a large lotus pool with a central pavilion. Legend relates that, as Padmini sat in this pavilion, Ala-ud-din saw her reflection in the lake. This glimpse convinced him to destroy Chittor in order to possess her. The bronze gates to this pavilion were carried off by Akbar and can now be seen in Agra Fort. Near Padmini's Palace is a small prison where captured invaders were kept; former prisoners include sultans of Malwa and of Gujarat.
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Tower of Fame
The 22m-high Tower of Fame is older (probably dating from the 12th century) and smaller than the Tower of Victory. Built by a Jain merchant, the tower is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankar (one of the 24 revered Jain teachers) and is decorated with naked figures of various other tirthankars. A narrow stairway leads through the seven storeys to the top; though the staircase is usually locked, the gatekeeper may open the door for some baksheesh.
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Tower of Victory
The glorious Tower of Victory, symbol of Chittor, was erected by Rana Kumbha between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji of Malwa in 1440. It rises 37m in nine exquisitely carved storeys, and you can climb the 157 narrow stairs (the interior is also carved) to the 8th floor, from which there's a good view of the area. Hindu sculptures adorn the outside; its dome was damaged by lightning and repaired during the 19th century.
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Rana Kumbha Palace
After entering the fort, turn right and you'll arrive almost immediately at the ruins of this 15th-century palace, which includes elephant and horse stables and a Shiva temple. Padmini's jauhar is said to have taken place in a now-blocked cellar. Across from the palace is the museum and archaeological office, and the treasury building (Nau Lakha Bhandar).
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Meera Temple
Close to the Fateh Prakash Palace is the Meera Temple, built during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the ornate Indo-Aryan style and associated with mystic-poetess Meerabai. She consumed poison sent by an enemy, but survived due to the blessings of Krishna. The larger temple in this same compound is the Kumbha Shyam Temple (Temple of Varah).
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Chhatris
On the climb up to the fort you pass two chhatris, memorials between the second and third gates. These mark the spots where Jaimal and Kalla, heroes of the 1568 siege, fell during the struggle against Akbar. Jaimal had been already fatally wounded but was carried out by Kalla to fight on to the death.
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Surajpol
The main gate on the eastern side of the fort is known as the Surajpol, and offers fantastic views across the empty plains. There are also good views over the town and countryside (and, unfortunately, a huge cement factory) from the western side of the fort.
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Gaumukh Reservoir
Walk down beyond the temple and at the edge of the cliff is a deep tank where you can feed the fish. The reservoir takes its name from a spring that feeds the tank from a gaumukh (cow's mouth) carved into the cliffside.
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Fort
All of Chittor’s attractions are in the fort. A zigzag ascent of more than 1km leads through seven gateways to the main gate on the western side, the Rampol (the former back entrance).
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Rattan Singh Palace
While Padmini's Palace was the summer abode of the Chittor royals, the winter palace takes the name of her husband, Rattan Singh. It overlooks a small lake and, although run down, is an interesting place to explore.
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Kalika Mata Temple
Across from Padmini's Palace is the Kalika Mata Temple, an 8th-century sun temple damaged during the first sack of Chittor and then converted to a temple to the goddess Kali in the 14th century.
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Mahasati
Close to the tower is the Mahasati area where there are many sati (suicide by immolation) stones. 13,000 women committed jauhar close by in 1535.
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Lokhota Bari
At the fort's northern tip is another gate, the Lokhota Bari, while at the southern end is a small opening once used for hurling criminals into the abyss.
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Fateh Prakash Palace
Just beyond Rana Kumbha Palace, this palace is more modern and houses a small, poorly labelled museum and a school.
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Singa Chowri Temple
The Singa Chowri Temple, built in 1448 and adorned with attractive intricate carving,is close to the Rana Kumbha Palace.
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Sammidheshwar Temple
The intensely carved Sammidheshwar Temple, built in the 6th century and restored in 1427, is close to the Mahasati area.
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