INTRODUCTION

It is a renowned centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna and Vishnu alike. It is a town devoted totally to the Shrinathji. Let yourself be carried away by the religious atmosphere as you wander around the small market with tiny shops selling portraits of Shrinathji, beads, silver and meenakari mementoes, and other related items. While you're there, don't forget to try the special prasad, or temple offerings, and sweets that are popular with the devotees . if any one fort of Rajasthan had to be singled out for its glorious history and its stories of heroism, then it would be the fort of Chittaurgarh. Countless tales of this rugged fort and the battles fought here by its legendary heroes fill the pages of history books. Equally wet known were the Maharanis of Chittaur. As you explore the fort and its various palaces and temples do look out for Rani Padmini's Allauddin Khilji so much that he set out to attack the fort and win her in battle. A fierce battle was fought, 7000 warriors lost their lives but the Sultan could not get Padmini. The Maharani, with her entire entourage, committed Jauhar. It is one of the Chittaurgarh's most enduring stories and one that is told and re-told countless times.

Travel to the west of Chittaurgarh to reach the second most important bastion of Mewar - Kumbhalgarh. Covering an area of 12 sq. Km. this formidable fort fell only once to the army of Akbar and that too because the water supply was contaminated by the enemy forces. Even today, it is one of the most inaccessible forts of Rajasthan and reached with great difficulty. It serves as a refuge to the rulers of Mewar in times of stife and contained within its ramparts almost an entire township, selfcontained to withstand a long siege. Explore the huge complex and see for yourself how well prepared the rulers had to be. Some areas of interest are the palaces and temples and water storage tanks. It is at a height of 100 meters and if you walk along the ramparts you can get some areas has been turned into farmland but in the olden days these were the grounds on which many battle was fought. The fort is also significant for being the birthplace of Maharana Pratap.

This region is famous for its marble, miniature paintings, Kundan and Meenakari work and clay and wooden products. The colourful mud panels of Molela are available in Udaipur.