Chittorgarh Fort

Part Of The UNESCO World Heritage Site Hill Forts Of Rajasthan (2013); The Largest Fort In India By Area · Chittorgarh, Rajasthan

The largest fort in India by area, spread across a flat-topped hill that rises abruptly from the plains of southern Rajasthan, and for eight centuries the capital and symbol of the Mewar kingdom before its rulers moved to Udaipur. It is part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan World Heritage Site. Chittorgarh's history is one of sieges: it fell three times, to Alauddin Khilji in 1303, to the Sultan of Gujarat in 1535 and to Akbar in 1568, and each time, according to tradition, the women of the fort committed jauhar, mass self-immolation, rather than be captured, while the men rode out to die. The legend of Queen Padmini belongs to the first siege. The plateau is a landscape of ruined palaces, temples and water tanks, reached by a road through seven gates. Its great monuments are the Vijay Stambha, a nine-storey tower of victory from the fifteenth century, carved inside and out, and the older Jain Kirti Stambha. Rana Kumbha's palace, Padmini's palace on its pool, and the Meera temple complete it. The fort is best toured by auto-rickshaw along its road.

Chittorgarh Fort Road, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, 312001, India

NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern for this ASI monument: open daily from about sunrise to sunset, roughly 9:30 in the morning to 5 in the evening, with no weekly closing day. Individual towers and palaces may close for conservation without notice. The sound and light show runs in the evening after closing, usually around 7 pm, in Hindi and English on separate slots. Plan to be on the plateau by 4 pm at the latest if you arrive late in the day. Confirm times before travelling.

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