Haldighati: Top places to visit!

Last Updated on January 8, 2022 by asoulwindow

Table of Contents

Information about Haldighati

It is a story of valor, supreme sacrifice, fierce pride and unbounded courage displayed by the Rajput fighters. History will always remember Maharana Pratap – The great, who valiantly withstood a deceitful and powerful Mughal army.

Some of the best places to visit in Haldighati are Museum of Haldighati, the Haldighati battlefield, Chetak Horse Smarak, Haldighati pass etc.

Here is the most comprehensive travel guide on the best places to see in Haldighati.

Why is Haldighati world famous?

Haldighat is world famous because the most talked about battle between Maharana Pratap ji and Akbar was fought here.

The fame of Maharana Pratap has spread far and wide. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Maharana Pratap ji was respected and celebrated. In fact, during the war of Vietnam in South East Asia, Maharana Pratap ji was seen as an inspiration to fight! Isn’t it surprising that Maharana Pratap ji who has been neglected in his own nation inspired warriors in Vietnam?

Nomenclature of Haldighati

Why Haldighati is called Haldighati?

When I visited Haldighati Rajasthan, I observed an unusual color of the soil in this region. The dull browns gave way to deep yellow. It is a barren land. I noticed very few shrubs and trees around the coloured soil.

The color of Haldighati, I noticed, was a deep yellow much like turmeric which is found in every Indian household. Turmeric is known as Haldi in Hindi. Ghati means valley. You must stop at the Haldighati pass and feel the coarse texture of the soil.

I had never seen a soil of this color and texture. By, the way it is common to find Haldi ki Sabzi in Rajasthan in winters. Ask around.

The locals also believe that the soil of Haldighati turned yellow because of the bloodshed that ensued in the Haldighati war. This is why Haldighati is also known as Rakht Talai, the literal meaning of which is “lake of blood”.

Places to see in Haldighati

So, what is there in Haldighati? Haldighati is an offbeat destination in Rajasthan. You must visit Haldighati to know why even after centuries have passed away, Maharana Pratap is worshiped as a God in Rajasthan. There are many places to visit in Haldighati.

Haldighati Pass

It is a small narrow pass.Most vehicles which ply on this road, stop here to feel and observe the unusual look and feel of the soil. Make sure you park your vehicle a little outside the Haldighati pass as it is a busy road with very narrow passage. It is one of the top places to visit in Haldighati.

Maharana Pratap Museum, Haldighati

Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, had launched a memorial project here but it never materialised. But that didn’t deter local individual efforts who wanted to preserve the memory of Maharana for new generation. It is now one of the best Haldighati tourist place to learn about Haldighati battle story.

I was impressed to visit the Maharana Pratap Museum of Haldighati which is an individual effort by Shri Mohan Lal Shrimali, to preserve the memories attached to Maharana Pratap. Despite the Government apathy, Mr. Shrimali invested his own money for this dream project of his. The huge statue of Maharana Pratap and Chetak (with elephant mask) battling with Akbar impressed me.

There is also a shopping centre in the Maharana Pratap Museum complex and an adjoining garden with displays of human clay models in various stages of everyday life. We had refreshing sugarcane juice here.

There is also a beautiful white Hindu temple at the entrance of the Haldighati Museum.

The Light and sound show

The Light and sound show at the Haldighati memorial is worth a dekko. We had to wait for few minutes before one group finished this indoor light and sound show.

Impressive clay models have been displayed inside the Museum. A baritone voice explains the events one by one. It is a must visit place in Haldighati. Do not miss this during Haldighati sightseeing.

Entry fee: It is a ticketed show.

Adults: INR 100

Child: INR 50 (between 3 to 10 years)

Guide facility: Free

Timings: The Haldighati museum is open on all days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact of Haldighati Museum: + 91 9799003405

Chetak memorial

This is a memorial devoted to the faithful horse of Maharana Pratap. It is a small and simple memorial at walking distance from the Haldighati battleground. Chetak Smarak or Chetak Samadhi is the top place to visit in Haldighati. Do read my detailed blog on Chetak Chabutra and the brave Chetak Horse of Maharana Pratap.

Entry Fee: Entry here is free

Badshahi Bagh, Khamnor

This is the battlefield where Haldighati war played out. I was actually underwhelmed at the size of the marked battlefield, which seems very small for a war of such epic proportions.

Perhaps it was a symbolic enclosure where the authorities cordoned off a smaller part of actual battlefield.

It was the area where the Mughal Army had camped before the war began. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Haldighati.

A small plaque in Badshah Bagh stated,

“On June 21,1576, the heroic Pratap and his warriors had their first encounter with the Mughals. The relentless fury of Pratap’s forces threw the Mughal Army in complete disarray.”

It is an unusual place to see in Haldighati.

Entry Fee: Entry here is free. Yes, it is a free thing to do in Haldighati

What to buy in Haldighati

You can pick souvenirs and shirts depicting life and times of Maharana Pratap. The large museum shop has many interesting artefacts and handicrafts which you can pick as a souvenir. These are very reasonably priced.

Chaitri Rose products

Rose and rose products are also popular and unique to this area. The unusual Chaitri Rose, named after Hindu month Chaitra (April), blooms in Haldighati region for just one month in a year. The Chaitri rose products include excellent quality Gulkand (A type of rose petal jam), Gulab jal (Rose water) and even diabetes medicine.

Large scale farming of Chaitri Rose is done in what was once a battlefield, Badshahi Bagh. Not many know that Haldighati is a major exporter of rose products.

Where is Haldighati located?

Haldighati is a narrow mountain pass which is located between the historical places such as Khamnore and Bagicha village. Haldighati is surrounded by the majestic Aravalli Range of mountains of Rajasthan in western India. Other places near Haldighati are Udaipur city and the historical Gogunda.

History of Haldighati

Haldighati is known for its rich history. Maharana Pratap and the Haldighati battle with Islamic invader Akbar took place in Haldighati. It was due to the battle that Haldighati was catapulted as a prominent place in Rajasthan.

I have written about the battle of Haldighati and the History of Haldighati in great detail in my comprehensive blog on the same.

I research and work hard on each article. Perhaps, this is why my blog A Soul Window has been noticed by many and is now ranked as the No.1 travel blog of India, besides being frequently listed as the Top Travel Blog of India every now and then.

Vegan and Vegetarian Guide in Haldighati

Haldighati has very basic vegan and vegetarian food available. You can find some Pyaz Kachori and Mirchi vadas on the roadside stalls. For a proper sit-down meal, Udaipur is better. Make sure you have a filling breakfast in Udaipur and then leave for Haldighati.

You can dine on a variety of vegan and vegetarian Indian, Rajasthani, Mughlai, Indo-Chinese, Italian food in Udaipur. Try to find Daal Baati Churma, which is more popular in Jodhpur.

Festival of Haldighati

Diwali and Holi are the major festivals celebrated in Haldighati

Solo Trip Tips for Haldighati

Haldighati is easy to visit as a solo traveller. Since Haldighati is located every close to the big city of Udaipur, therefore it is easy to find public transport from Udaipur to Haldighati. While Haldighati is very basic and more of a developed village, all the modern urban frills are easily available in Udaipur.

Backpacking Budget Travel Tips for Haldighati

It is easy to visit Haldighati on a low budget. If you have a backpacking budget for Haldighati, then worry not. Haldighati is a low-cost destination. There is hardly anything you can spend on except the negligeable entrance fees for the Haldighati Museum.

Other points of interest in Haldighati such as Haldighati battle field and Chetak Horse Smarak are free to visit. Yes, there is no entrance fees at these world-famous tourist attractions of Haldighati. Even the vegetarian and vegan food available around the Haldighati sightseeing places is very low cost.

Luxury travel Tips for Haldighati

There are no luxury amenities in Haldighati as it is a village. However, luxury travelers can find world class luxurious stays, cafes and other facilities in the nearby Udaipur. In fact, Udaipur is known for being home to some of world’s best award-winning luxury hotels.

ATM in Haldighati

There are very few ATM in Haldighati. It is better to withdraw some cash in Udaipur, which has many ATMs at every few steps.

Digital payment is not very popular in Haldighati.

Is it safe to visit Haldighati?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to visit Haldighati for both male and female solo budget travelers and luxury travelers. Just ensure you return to Udaipur much before dark.

Local Transport for sightseeing in Haldighati

Auto rickshaws are easily available in Haldighati. Most of the public transport is available outside the Haldighati Museum.

Just ensure that you visit Haldighati in early morning or afternoon as the public transport services might not be available in Haldighati as the day progresses. Since Haldighati is a small place, so facilities are limited here.

Where to stay in Haldighati

Haldighati does not have proper hotels where you can st ay. Most of the people stay in Udaipur and make a day trip to Haldighati as most places of attractions can be seen in few hours.

I too stayed in Udaipur. Staying in a suite of Justa Sajjangarh, Udaipur was memorable. The best features of the suites of Justa Sajjangarh are its huge space, elaborate yet subtle décor, great location and beyond brilliant food.

The huge wash rooms have full length windows overlooking the green spaces below. And Sajjangarh Fort looked fairytalish from the bay windows of the room. You can read my detailed blog on Justa Sajjangarh, Udaipur.

A Soul Window is the leading travel blog from India and has also been mentioned as the No.1 travel blog of India by several reputed websites.

Best Time to visit Haldighati?

Winter: September, October, November, December, January, February and March are the best months to visit Haldighati with friends, family and kids. The extreme winter months in Haldighati are December and January.

Summer: April, May and June are the low season months in Haldighati due to hot weather and high temperature.

Monsoon: It rains in June, July and August in Haldighati. Since the Museum of Haldighati is indoors, you can easily visit all the major attractions of Haldighati in rainy season as well. The weather of Haldighati in monsoon is also pleasant.

What to wear in Haldighati?

In the winter months you must wear woolen clothes as it can get very cold in Rajasthan, especially during the night. In summer and monsoon, just a dhoti kurta or T shirt and shorts are suitable things to wear in Haldighati.

How many days to spend in Haldighati?

I visited Haldighati as a day trip from Udaipur. What can I do in 1 day in Haldighati? One day is more than enough to see all the major points of attractions and sightseeing places of Haldighati such as the battlefield, Chetak Smarak, Museum etc.

In fact, all the top places to see in Haldighati are located at walking distance from each other. I saw many Indian families with kids visiting Haldighati. Haldighati is also a quick weekend getaway from Udaipur and New Delhi which is why it is also the favorite picnic spot of local people.

Photography Tips for Haldighati

You must stop at the Haldighati pass to take pictures of this historical pass. Photography inside the Haldighati Museum was allowed when I visited. And do not leave Haldighati Rajasthan without visiting clicking pictures with the historical battle ground and Chetak Horse Smarak.

You can also take beautiful portraits of local people of Rajasthan, with their permission of course!

UPSC exams questions

If you are preparing for UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam for for IAS, IFS, PCS, then you must read all my blogs on Haldighati and other historical places of Rajasthan. My answers to the frequently asked question will help you prepare for the UPSC competitive exams.

I have explained the history of Haldighati in great detail. I have answered all the commonly asked question about Haldighati in these exhaustive blogs.

These information packed, detailed travel blogs on Haldighati will also enhance your world view broadly.

Languages spoken in Haldighati

Bhil language, which is spoken in west-central Indian states such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh is the most spoken language in Haldighati. Other languages which are spoken and understood in Haldighati and Udaipur are Hindi, Marwari, Mewari, Wagdi, Gujarati and English.

Toilet facility in Haldighati

Clean and well-maintained toilets are located in the campus of Haldighati Museum. Toilets are not located in the precincts of Chetak Smarak and battlefield.

How to reach Haldighati?

Haldighati falls on the route between Udaipur and Eklingji. Hladighati can be reached easily. Do plan a tour here soon.

By private cab: It is very easy to arrive at Haldighati from Udaipur. Just book a cab or private taxi which would drop and pick you from your hotel. By booking a private car, you can also book a trip to Nathdwara, the huge Hindu Temple devoted to Krishna Bhagwan, the impressive cluster of temples at Eklingji Mandir and The Shiva Statue, one of the largest in the world!

By rail: Haldighatii doesn’t have a railways station. The nearest railway station from Haldighati is at Udaipur. The railway junction of Udaipur is well connected with all the major big and small cities of India.

By air: The Maharana Pratap airport at Udaipur is the closest airport from Haldighati.

By bus: many nearby cities are connected to Udaipur by bus. Rajasthan has a robust public transport.

Distances from Haldighati

Below are the distances from Haldighati to other nearby major tourist attractions of Rajasthan.

Udaipur to Haldighati distance is only 40 kilometers.

Shrinathji (Nathdwara) to Haldighati distance is 12.7 kms (22 minutes) via Haldi Ghati road

Kumbhalgarh to Haldighati distance is 45 kilometers and it takes around 1 hour, 30 minutes via NH 162

Excursions from Haldighati

There are many interesting places to visit near Haldighati and Udaipur. Many of these places of interests near Haldighati are beautiful Hindu temples, forts, luxurious palaces, planned urban cities and historical monuments.

Some of the best Haldighati nearest places are listed as below:

Kota
Bundi
Rayta
Ajmer
Jawai
Jaipur
Pushkar
Jodhpur
Alsigarh
Delwara
Gogunda
Mahi Dam
Rajsamand
Mount Abu
Nathdwara
Kishangarh
Chittorgarh
Ahmedabad
Gandhinagar
Dhebar Lake
Ranakpur temple
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Chhatra Sagar Pali
Eklingji temple complex
Tall statue of Shiv Bhagwan
Kamalnath Mahadev Mandir

Soul Window Tip

It is best to visit Haldighati early morning, visit all the above-mentioned places and proceed to Nathdwara, tall statue of Shiv Bhagwan, Eklingji temple complex and Ranakpur temple. It is possible to visit these places within a span of few hours.

Conclusion: Why visit Haldighati?

Is Haldighati worth visiting? Yes, Haldighati is one of the best offbeat places to visit near Udaipur. Despite being such an important place, Haldighati is an unexplored place in Rajasthan, far away from the crowds of too many tourists. This hidden gem is one of the best offbeat places to see in Rajasthan.

An easy weekend getaway from Udaipur and New Delhi, Haldighati is a must visit place. The rich history of Haldighati is still proudly remembered by Hindus across India. Whether its Chetak Smarak or battlefield or Haldighati darra or Haldighati museum, these are not just mere tourist attractions but are major stops in the glorious chapters of Hindu History.

Visit to places like Haldighati helps us find where we are coming from and where we are going to!

The view from my Soul Window makes my chest swell with pride!

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