The Best Places to Visit in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

Also referred as the ‘Water Fort’, it consists of 22 ponds and lakes, seven gates and several temples and palaces, some of which may lie in ruins, but worthy of a visit. You can catch the reflection of its ruins in the stunning waters. An unmissable spot and the most striking feature of the fort is its two memorial towers – 37.2-meters high Vijay Stambha (tower of victory) and 22-meters high Kirti Stambha (tower of fame). Both the towers have intricate carvings and look especially mesmerising during the evening when illuminated. The Victory tower is a nine-storey tower decorated with Hindu deity sculptures, while the fame tower is a seven-storey tower adorned with the sculptures of several tirthankar of the Jain pantheon. Near the Vijay Stambha lies the Meerabai temple that impresses visitors with its Indo-Aryan architecture, the intricate artistic detailing and tales of true love. Dedicated and named after an avid devotee of Lord Krishna, Meerabai (or Meera), this temple stands as a testament to the utter love and devotion she had for the Lord. Another much-loved temple is the 15th century Kumbha Shyam Temple located close to the Meera temple. Dedicated to Varaha (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), the temple is especially notable for its pyramid-shaped roof and intricately detailed artwork on the walls. Between the Padimini’s Palace and Vijay Stambha lies the 14th century Kali Mata Temple that is dedicated to Goddess Kali. To the west side of the fort is the Gaumukh Reservoir,which is also worth a look. It’sone of the most important water bodies in the fort, and considered to be a sacred site. Located near to the Fateh Prakash Palace is the Sathis Deori Temple,an imposing structure that houses about 27 Jain temples. Constructed in the 11th century, the temple’s carved and sculpted pillars and domes along with the spiritual vibe that permeates the air attracts architecture aficionados and spiritual seekers alike.