Chittrorgarh - living a dream in the fort town of Rajasthan!

It was a long dusty day, and the sweltering summer heat and AC-less car ensured that we were drenched in sweat, mud and sand. In the pre-bottled water era of the mid nineties, we were carrying water in a huge Milton container. At the same time, dad and me were also trying to convince amma and sis that we should take a detour to Chittorgarh, instead of going directly to Udaipur. That day we both failed, when faced with the unrelenting women in the family.



chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage blue green baoli stepwell
Chittor new town from the top
chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage cows
Cows in the early morning, waiting with me for the museum to open :)

I thought of all this and more as I called my sis (now married with two kids) and told her that I was finally in Chittorgarh and sipping chai right in front of Vijay Stambha (Victory Tower), one of the most enduring landmarks from the fort town. We both remembered and laughed about that day, but she was really happy that I was finally here. It took me 16 full years before I could do what I wanted to do as a school going kid...

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage palace green
Entrance to the main palace, we are getting ready for the first rains

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage palace inside view
The palace from inside

In one word, Chittorgarh is simply stunning! One of the oldest surviving forts in India, it was originally built by the Mauryas approximately in the first Century AD. Since then it has changed hands numerous times, but its grandeur only increased with time. It was only in the beginning of the last century that the consistent repair work on the fort stopped and it was left to die a slow death. Today its a fort in decay, yet the marvelous past will meet you at every single building that you visit.

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage temple
Steps up to one of the oldest temple within the fort

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage woman temple
Another upset Rajasthani woman!

I was traveling alone and reached the fort well before the town got up completely (i.e. around 6 am). I was keen on staying within the fort itself and so had to stay at the Birla Dharmashala, the only option for accommodation on top (I realised later that there are also no restaurants within the fort, so lunch or dinner unless you inform the Dharmshala in advance). At Rs. 200, it was decent room, though I left it before 7, ready to explore!

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage kings palace
King's palace


chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage mira temple
One of the few completely intact temples

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage ratan singh palace
Ratan Singh palace

The Chittor fort is simply huge and if you intend to go beyond the usual tourist places, you would surely need time as well as a guide. I had time, and took a guide (something I usually skip). Prakashbhai was great, always ready to help me out, whether I wanted to climb up a gate, a wall, or simply walk on the fort wall in the rain. He was on a fast, and I had to u unitentionally skip all meals as I had no clue about the lack of food within the fort. I drank cups and cups of tea, till I managed to find a shop selling packaged chips, and later a kirana store selling five star bars!

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage colorful women
Beautifully dressed local woman

chittorgarh fort life rajasthan town heritage colorful women
Before she could stop me, I shot her :)
The tale continues in part 2...

Comments

  1. Colourful shots. The first pic is a stunner.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  2. how do get to travel sooo much! awesome core travel tales again!

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  3. Some excellent shots here, especially the one with the cows.

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  4. women rule the show :) and alone, wo! that must be something :)

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  5. @RNiranjanDas: Thank you!

    @Mridula: Thanks, I also quite like it :)

    @Shruti: I just try to use all days off from work to travel a bit. Though most often the plans go kaput!

    @Journeyphotographic: Thank you, the cows were extremely gracious, I spent quite sometime with them :)

    @Chintan: Hahaha...Of course they do :)

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  6. Superb photos, the fort is quite stunning I agree with you, and I love all these women with their bright red saris.

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  7. The saris are beautifully colored and I love that first shot with the intense green. The cows in front of the palace is quite funny.

    This is a gorgeous place, hidden from the rest of the world. Thank you for showing us and I look forward to the second part of the adventure.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  8. @DeeBee: Thank you :)

    @Genie: It certainly is a gorgeous place and still hidden away from the world. It seems they are planning to convert the place into a UNESCO World Heritage Site...things might change then...

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  9. Wonderful place . Nice writeup and great capture .

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  10. see people do tell you abt "nice shots"!

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  11. @Dhiraj: Thanks a lot :)

    @Shruti: People are generous :)

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  12. What fabulous place, gorgeous views and great shots!

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  13. Awesome pics man. Ever considered taking pictures of the food you eat in the place you go? ;)

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  14. wow..nice shots and i can see its a beautiful place too:):):)
    i was mesmerized.... ;)

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  15. Spectacular location very well covered Sid..! I too like the first shot very much..!

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  16. Very exotic to me, splendid shots, thank you

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  17. @JM: Thanks a lot :)

    @TheNarcissist: Actually I do click the food as well, especially if its a local variety. Let me post some from the next trip!

    @theothersideofme: Thank you so much, I am glad you liked these!

    @Sridharan: I too like the shot!

    @MArias: It was exotic to me as well, and amazingly beautiful :)

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  18. looks to be an awesome place sid. Colorful place and nice clicks. we should have come along.

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  19. Of course you guys should have! I am yet to master the art of convincing :)

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  20. didnt say it earlier...but the first shot is really entrancing! simply good! :)

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  21. Nice post and you have a nice blog :) The pictures are all very good.

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  22. BEAUTIFUL photos! I'm not sure which one I like the best. They are all that good. Thanks for the photo-tour! You live in an amazing country...

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  23. @Shruti: Thank you :)

    @Kusum: Thanks a lot, I am glad you like the blog!

    @Pat: Thank you so much, great to see your comment here :)

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  24. Beautiful colours in the women's dress.

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  25. Chittorgarh looks amazing. Some place are best travelled to alone. Some are better with others. Chittorgarh looks like it's definitely the kind of place I'd prefer to journey to alone.

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  26. @Phivos: Absolutely!

    @Diane: You are right, women are so beautifully dressed everywhere there...

    @August: Quite true, its a place best traveled to alone...you get to explore and discover lots more on your own...

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  27. Lovely shots ... what a great place to visit!

    Irene

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  28. Beautiful view and picture! That nr 2, hehe. What a place to be and to photograph..
    Hope you have a happy week!
    And thanks for you nice comment always:-)

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  29. @Irene: Thanks a lot, am glad you liked the pics :)

    @Spiderdama: :) Thank you!

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  30. Im glad i found your this blog, i love the photos in it

    Regards

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  31. @Sergio: Thank you so much, I really like your blog too :)

    @Daniel: Thank you so much, am glad you liked them :)

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  32. not a blogger.. jus landed here through joshidaniels blog.. usually dont leave a comment either but these pics looked so colorful and full of life cudnt help leaving a comment.. :)

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  33. Thanks a lot Azhath...I really appreciate your feedback here :)

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  34. Gorgeous! Loved the pic 'Beautifully dressed local woman'

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  35. Thanks Harsha...the women thr really dress up stunningly :)

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  36. aap ye sab ghum ke aaye ho to aap log ghar me hote bhi ho ya nahi??

    nice pics n photography siddhartha!!!

    thanks,
    pragya.

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    1. Thank you Pragya...and apologies for such a late response!

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  37. Chittor Garh Has It's Charm Through Out all the Seasons Of Year. You Should Visit The Near by Places Of Chittor Garh Like Nimbaheda,Mandsour etc they Are Also Very Beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, I shall try and visit these also in future...

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  38. Great pictures - incredible shots from the perfect angles. Thanks for sharing. Here is a travelogue from my latest trip to the city. The fort city is worth a visit for everyone.

    http://www.expressions-kt.in/2015/07/delving-into-history-fort-city_29.html

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  39. Really fascinating pictures. Although Rajasthan is no doubt most lavish and great state of India through travelling aspect. thanks for coming here and sharing these memorable movements with us.
    If you want to search anything like 5 star hotels, resorts, shopping malls, taxi services etc ..in chittorgarh please explore chittorgarhinfo for hassle free travelling experience.

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  40. Awesome blog!!!!! well written sid.Thank you for sharing.

    Web Design Company Pune

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