Chittorgarh is the epitome of Chattari Rajput (an Indian Warrior caste) pride( romance and spirit( for people of Chittor always chose death before surrendering against anyone. It reverberates with history of heroism and sacrifice that is evident from the tales still sung by the bards of Rajasthan. Though it can now be called a ruined citadel there is much more to this huge fort. It is a symbol of all that was brave( true and noble in the glorious Rajput tradition. Historically( it is considered that Chittor was built by the Maurya dynasty in the 7th century AD. It was then named Chitrakut after Chitrangada Mori( a Rajput chieftain as inscribed on ancient Mewari coins. The fort is surrounded by a circular wall which has seven huge gates before one can enter inside the main fort area. The first attack was by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 AD( who was enamored by the beauty of Padmini of which he had only heard. Rani Padmini preferred death to abduction and dishonor and committed jauhar (an act of self immolation by leaping into a large fire) along with all the other ladies of the fort.[1] All the men left the fort in saffron robes to fight the enemy unto death. Chittorgarh was captured in 1303 AD by Ala ud din Khilji( Sultan of Delhi who led a huge army. Elderly people then had the responsibility to raise the children. It was recaptured in 1326 by the young Hammir Singh( a scion of the same Gehlot clan. The dynasty (and clan) fathered by him came to be known by the name Sisodia after the village where he was born. Chittorgarh remains replete with historic associations and holds a very special place in the hearts of Rajputs( as it was a bastion of the clan at a time when every other stronghold had succumbed to invasion. It is often called as the "Bhakti aur Shakti ki nagari" (land of devotion and strength). The fort and the city of Chittorgarh also hosts the biggest Rajput festival "Jauhar Mela". It takes place annually on the anniversary of one of the jauhars( not the one by Padmini which is most famous. This festival is to commemorate the bravery of Rajput ancestors and all three Jauhars which happened at Chittorgarh. A huge number of Rajputs which include the descendants of most of the princely families do a procession to celebrate the Jauhar. The fort at Chittorgarh also contains the ancient and beautiful temple to Goddess Kali called the Kalika Mata Temple. According to legend( Brahma was in search of a place for Mahayagna and he found this place suitable. After a long time( Brahma came to known that a demon( Vajranash( was killing people here so the Lord intoned a mantra on a lotus flower and killed the demon. During this process the parts of flower fell on three places which were later known as Jyaistha( Madhya and Kanistha Pushkar. After this( Brahma performed a yagna to protect this place from demons. The consort of Brahma( Saraswati( was needed to offer Ahuti for the yagna but she was not there that time so Gayatri( a Gurjar girl( was married to Brahma and performed yagna. This act made first wife of Brahma( Saraswati( angry and she cursed Brahma saying that he would be worshiped in Pushkar only. From that day the priests in Brahma temple are from Gurjar community.
