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Chittorgarh (Chittor)

Chittorgarh is the largest fort complex in India, nearly 6km long and 500m across, and is a fascinating place to explore. It sits atop a hill that rises abruptly from the plains, its defensive walls augmented on all sides by 150m-plus cliffs.

Chittorgarh's history epitomises Rajput romanticism, chivalry and tragedy, and it holds a special place in the hearts of many Rajputs. Three times (in 1303, 1535 and 1568) Chittorgarh was under attack from a more powerful enemy; each time, its people chose death before dishonour. The men donned saffron martyrs’ robes and rode out from the fort to certain death, while the women and children immolated themselves on huge funeral pyres. After the last of the three sackings, Rana Udai Singh II fled to Udaipur, where he established a new capital. In 1616, Jehangir returned Chittor to the Rajputs. There was no attempt at resettlement, though it was restored in 1905.

Explore Chittorgarh (Chittor)

Chittorgarh
A zigzag ascent of more than 1km starts at Padal Pol and leads through six gateways to the main gate on the western side, the Ram Pol (the former back…
T
Tower of Fame
The 24m-high Tower of Fame dates from 1301. Built by a Jain merchant, it is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar (great Jain teacher) and is…
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Padmini’s Palace
Padmini's Palace sits beside a large lotus pool with a central pavilion. Legend relates that, as Padmini sat in this pavilion, Ala-ud-din saw her…
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Rana Kumbha Palace
To the right after entering Chittorgarh you'll arrive almost immediately at the ruins of this 15th-century palace, which includes elephant and horse…
T
Tower of Victory
The glorious Tower of Victory, symbol of Chittorgarh, was erected by Rana Kumbha in the 1440s, probably to commemorate a victory over Mahmud Khilji of…
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Meera Temple
The Meera Temple was built during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the ornate Indo-Aryan style and associated with mystic-poetess Meerabai. She consumed poison…
C
Chhatris
On the climb up to the fort you pass two chhatris (cenotaphs) between the second and third gates. These mark the spots where Jaimal and Kalla, heroes of…
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Kumbha Shyam Temple
This temple, which shares the same compound as the smaller Meera Temple, is dedicated to Vishnu and its carved panels illustrate 15th-century Mewar life.
K
Kalika Mata Temple
An 8th-century sun temple damaged during the first sacking of Chittorgarh and then converted to a temple for the goddess Kali in the 14th century.

Chittorgarh
A zigzag ascent of more than 1km starts at Padal Pol and leads through six gateways to the main gate on the western side, the Ram Pol (the former back…
T
Tower of Fame
The 24m-high Tower of Fame dates from 1301. Built by a Jain merchant, it is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar (great Jain teacher) and is…
P
Padmini’s Palace
Padmini's Palace sits beside a large lotus pool with a central pavilion. Legend relates that, as Padmini sat in this pavilion, Ala-ud-din saw her…
R
Rana Kumbha Palace
To the right after entering Chittorgarh you'll arrive almost immediately at the ruins of this 15th-century palace, which includes elephant and horse…
T
Tower of Victory
The glorious Tower of Victory, symbol of Chittorgarh, was erected by Rana Kumbha in the 1440s, probably to commemorate a victory over Mahmud Khilji of…
M
Meera Temple
The Meera Temple was built during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the ornate Indo-Aryan style and associated with mystic-poetess Meerabai. She consumed poison…
C
Chhatris
On the climb up to the fort you pass two chhatris (cenotaphs) between the second and third gates. These mark the spots where Jaimal and Kalla, heroes of…
K
Kumbha Shyam Temple
This temple, which shares the same compound as the smaller Meera Temple, is dedicated to Vishnu and its carved panels illustrate 15th-century Mewar life.
K
Kalika Mata Temple
An 8th-century sun temple damaged during the first sacking of Chittorgarh and then converted to a temple for the goddess Kali in the 14th century.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Chittorgarh (Chittor).

See
Chittorgarh
A zigzag ascent of more than 1km starts at Padal Pol and leads through six gateways to the main gate on the western side, the Ram Pol (the former back…
See
Tower of Fame
The 24m-high Tower of Fame dates from 1301. Built by a Jain merchant, it is dedicated to Adinath, the first tirthankar (great Jain teacher) and is…
See
Padmini’s Palace
Padmini's Palace sits beside a large lotus pool with a central pavilion. Legend relates that, as Padmini sat in this pavilion, Ala-ud-din saw her…
See
Rana Kumbha Palace
To the right after entering Chittorgarh you'll arrive almost immediately at the ruins of this 15th-century palace, which includes elephant and horse…
See
Tower of Victory
The glorious Tower of Victory, symbol of Chittorgarh, was erected by Rana Kumbha in the 1440s, probably to commemorate a victory over Mahmud Khilji of…
See
Meera Temple
The Meera Temple was built during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the ornate Indo-Aryan style and associated with mystic-poetess Meerabai. She consumed poison…
See
Chhatris
On the climb up to the fort you pass two chhatris (cenotaphs) between the second and third gates. These mark the spots where Jaimal and Kalla, heroes of…
See
Kumbha Shyam Temple
This temple, which shares the same compound as the smaller Meera Temple, is dedicated to Vishnu and its carved panels illustrate 15th-century Mewar life.
See
Kalika Mata Temple
An 8th-century sun temple damaged during the first sacking of Chittorgarh and then converted to a temple for the goddess Kali in the 14th century.

Guidebooks

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