Chittorgarh Fort 

Set on a high plateau, the fort sprawls supremely over the countryside. It was here that the Sisodias went to war against the Mughals at the famous battle of Haldighati. All of the Chittaurh's attractions are located within the fort. A zigzag ascent of over1 km leads through seven gateways to the main gate on the western side, the Rampol (pol means 'gate').

On the climb, you pass two chhatries (cenotaphs) between the second and third gates. They mark the spots where Jaimal and Kalla, heroes of the 1568 siege, fell during the struggle against Akbar. The main gate on the eastern side of the fort is the Surajpol. Within the actual fort itself, a circular road runs around the ruins and there is also a deer park situated in the southern end.

There are good views over the town, countryside and huge cement factory from the western end of the fort; there is even a small village located here.

Today, the fort of Chittaurh is virtually a deserted ruin, but impressive remainders of its grandeurs still stand. The main sites in the fort can all be seen in half a day but, if one likes the atmosphere of ancient sites, then it is definitely worth spending longer as this is a very mellow place. 

 Vijay Stambh

The tower was erected between 1458 and 1468 and 37m in nine storeys. It is possible to climb to the top of the tower through the narrow 157 steps. Hindu sculptures adorn outside the tower. The dome was damaged by lightning and repaired during the 19th century.


 Kirti Stambh

The 22m high 12th century tower was built by a Jain merchant and was dedicate to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar(one of the 24 great Jain teachers), and is decorated with figures of various tirthankars. A narrow stairway goes through seven storey of the tower to the top. The tower stands beside a small Jain temple.

 Rana Khumbha's Palace

After entering the fort, on the right hand side is the massive 15th century Rana Khumbha's Palace. It contains both elephant and horse stables. Rani Padmini's jauhar (Death before Dishonor) is said to have taken place in an underground tunnel between here and the Gaumukh reservoir. Across the road is the Sringar Chauri temple built in 1448.

 Meerabai Temple

This temple was built during the reign of Maharana Kumbha and later given to Mira Bai when she needed a place to worship Lord Krishna, the main subject of her poems. It is a good example of Rajput architecture, designed in North Indian style on a raised plinth, with a conical roof over the inner sanctum. The dome is carved in a circle of five human bodies with one head that symbolises belief that the people of the four castes (Varnas), as well as the fifth caste Harijans, can all realise God. Within the sanctum are paintings of Lord Krishna and of Mira Bai in devotion (bhakti) to the god. The open colonnade around the sanctum has four small pavilions. A small chhatri stands in the temple's forecourt, said to have been built in memory of Mira's saintly guru, Rai Das (Swami Ravidas) of Varanasi, a Harijan. The saint's footprints are marked on the floor of this small shrine. 

General Tips: 
Remove your shoes before entering the Temple. 

 Padmini Palace

Padmini's palace, built beside the lotus pool with its pavilion in which Padmini sat reflected in Ala-ud-din's mirror. The bronze gates in this pavilion were carried off by Akbar and can now be seen in the fort of Agra.

Kumbha Shyam Temple

Situated on the on the eastern side of Chittaurgarh, the Kumbha Shyam Temple is dedicated to Sarah, the Boar incarnation of Vishnu. This temple was erected by Maharana Kumbha on a base laid in the 9th century AD. A large image of Garuda, the mythical bird, is in front of the temple, under a canopy supported by pillars. A fine example of Indo-Aryan style of temple architecture, this temple has a soaring Shikra, a Mandap (porch or pillared hall) covered with a stepped, pyramid-shaped roof, and a pardakshina (colonnaded walkway) around the sanctum. There is a small pavilion at each of the four corners. The sanctum has beautiful idols depicting Lord Vishnu in different moods, and carvings of life in the 15th century. It is believed that, originally, this temple was a Vishnu Sarah temple but was destroyed during Mughal attacks.

Kalika Mata Temple

Across form Padmini place is the Kalika Mata Temple, an 8th-century temple originally dedicated to Surya or the Sun God but later converted to a temple to the goddess Kali. The temple architecture is of the early Paramara (Pratihara) period. It was built upon a large raised plinth, and features beautiful carvings and sculptures on the exterior and the Mandap (pillared hall), also on the pillars, ceiling and gates of the shrine. Unfortunately, today it has lost its spire and also reveals vestiges of considerable repairs, but its beauty remains an inspiration, but not for Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji. After the first sack of Chittor in 1303, he and his Muslims destroyed the temple.

Once a year a fair takes place here in which thousands of visitors from distant places participate. Of similar style are the ruins of a small temple and a colonnade near the Mahasati, the fort's royal cremation ground.