The Water Fort- Chittorgarh Fort

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."

                 -Pericles

Hei peeps.!

How are you all doing?

Again it had been long since I wrote a blog. And finally I am writing this awaited post which was to be written some 2-3 months back.! 😓

In the month of May, I had been to my mama's (maternal uncle's) place during summer vacations.
On a Sunday, he took us to Chittorgarh fort which took 1 hour of road trip from where we lived.

The Chittorgarh (or Chittor or Chittaurgarh) fort is the largest forts in India situated in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. It was once upon a time the capital of Mewar. Chittorgarh fort houses several monuments. 

History

Chittorgarh fortis the paragon of pride, ethos, romance and sacrifice. It was named after Chitrangad Maurya. The fort was attacked thrice and each time it saw jauhar. Jauhar means to jump alive into the fire to burn themselves, just to save their pride and honors from the opposing attackers. Chittorgarh became famous when its queens Rani Padmini and later Rani Karnavati along with other womenfolk commited Jauhar rather than facing dishonour at the hands of enemies. 

The very famous incident of Chittorgarh is of Allauddin Khilji who was attracted owards Rani Padmini's beauty and wanted her. He urged her husband to meet the queen which was rejected. But he was allowed to see her reflection in a mirror after which he badly wanted her and then decided to attack Chittorgarh. To his unfortune, he could not succeed in his aims.

Why Water Fort?

The Chittorgarh Fort bragged of having 84 water reservoirs within its campus in the past. But today, only 22 of them are remaining. These 84 water bodies were said to hold so much water that could meet the needs of 50,000 soldiers of the kingdom for 4 consecutive years.


Did not visit all the places inside the fort but here are some which I did...

The Fort

To enter the fort, one has to pass through seven massive gates which had different names, structures, design and size. These are:-

1. Padan Pol
2. Bhairon Pol
3. Hanuman Pol
4. Jorla Pol
5. Ganesh Pol
6. Laxman Pol
7. Ram Pol

VIJAY STAMBH

It is also known as The Victory Tower, established by Maharana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over the armies of malwa and Gujarat led by Allaudin Khilji.  It is a 9 storey tower with 37 metres as the tower's height and to reach the topmost floor, you hace cross through 157 narrow stairs. The startling part about this was that this tower could be seen from any part of the city.😀😀😀

 

ROYAL CARNATON GROUNDS AND ENTRANCE

Stairs of the entrance

 

 JAUHAR STHAL 

When Raja Ratan Singh was defeated in the battle by Allauddin Khilji, Rani Padmini had two choices of either sacrificing thier lives or face dishonor at the enimies' hands. She decided to perform Jauhar. A huge pyre was lit and the Queen along with other ladies jumped into the fire burning themselves alive.  Jauhar Kund is found to be a haunted place in Chittorgarh fort.

SAMADHISVAR TEMPLE

This temple is dedicated Lord Shiva and was built by Raja Bhoja, later refurbished by Mokal, therefore also known as Mokalji's temple. Inside consists of a garbhagriha where place is a trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. On the west side there is a statue of Nandi.The staircase to the south of the temple links it to the Gaumukh Kund.

 

Bottom entrance of the temple

Nandi's statue

Way to Gaumukh Kund

 GAUMUKH KUND

Gaumukh means 'Mouth of a Cow'. The water falls from cow mouth shaped point to the reservoir and therefore is named so. Gaumukh kund or Guamukh reservoir is also known as Tirth Raj.

SAATBEES JAIN TEMPLE

This is a Jain Shwetambar temple where twenty seven temples wherein 26 of them surround the main temple and so called 'Saatbees' Jain Temple. Each of them has carved silver door. There is a cicular ceiling in the main temple which is fiddly carved. The temple also has beautiful pillars. I enjoyed the blowing cool breeze in that openly holy place.😌

RANA KUMBHA PALACE

This palace was constructed by Rana Kumbha and was his dwelling. The founder of Udaipur city, Maharana Udai Singh was also born here.Though in present, only ruins of the this monument are left.

Rana Kumbha Palace

View from Inside the palace

Rani Padmini's Palace detectable from this palace

Chhatris

Garden outside the palace

  RANI PADMINI'S PALACE

Rani Padmini (a.k.a. Rani Padmavati) was the wife of Rawal Ratan Singh, King of Chittorgarh. She was very beautiful, charming, delightful and charismatic. This palace is one of the initial palaces to be constructed in India surrounded by water.

Garden at Queen's palace

I was so lost in this beautiful history. Moreover I am always perplexed knowing the history...

Have a nice day.! :)

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