Victory tower
Finely carved.
Sumit jadav — CC BY-SA 4.0 · RAHUL NASHIPUDI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sumit jadav — CC BY-SA 4.0 · RAHUL NASHIPUDI — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dadasahebkamble — CC BY-SA 3.0
Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India, spread across a high plateau above the plain of the Berach River in southern Rajasthan. Long stone walls and gates, palaces, towers and carved temples and large water tanks fill it, and from its edges you look out over the town and the plain. It was the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. It sits on a hill rising 180 m above the plain, covers 280 ha and holds 65 historic structures, including four palaces, 19 large temples, 20 large water bodies and victory towers, the best known being the Vijaya Stambha. In 2013 it was listed with five other Rajasthan forts as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan UNESCO World Heritage Site. You enter through a series of gates on the climbing road, then move between the palaces, towers and tanks inside the walls by car or rickshaw, as the distances are long. It is about 2 km in a straight line east of central Chittorgarh. Bring water and a hat, as there is little shade.
Finely carved.
Inside the walls.
From the edge.
Chittorgarh, southern Rajasthan
At least three hours.
By car or rickshaw.