Gandikota is the region which possesses ancient history along with stunning natural and man-made geographical formations. Located in Kadapa district, the fort is on the top of a hill and overlooks the Penna River.
Many travel enthusiasts compare our very own Gandikota to that of the Grand Canyon of India. The name has two Telugu words Gandi which means Gorge and Kota which means Fort. According to ancient sculptures the fort is dated back to 1123 Bc. Kings from various dynasties like Kakatiya, Kalyani Chalukyas made it more significant.
One can find Charminar, a prison, the Madhavaraya temple, and a vintage Raghunatha Swamy temple, all offering beautiful views of the gorge.
HISTORY OF GANDIKOTA
According to ancient writings, the fort is said to be built by Kapa, one of the kings from Bommanapalli. The temples here are constructed by Harihara, the first kings of Vijayanagara kingdom. Later Gandikota was conquered by Qutab Shahis in 17 th century. A masjid was built by them which was handed over to Kadapa Nawabs in later years. The British gained control over the fort when they came to rule India.
ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN GANDIKOTA
The fort is outlined by stone walls with watch towers surrounding. The Gandikota fort has defensive enclosures for its safety which leads to the main gate. Past the gate within a short distance one can find the house of drums which is activated during king’s arrival, departure and also during any attacks on the fort.
1. MINI CHARMINAR
Charminar is a triple storeyed building with a square base surrounded by four minars and hence the name. The above two storeys have screen shaped walls meant for Pigeons. Though not as big as the original Charminar in Hyderabad, the overall structure resembles the same.
2.ANCIENT PRISON
The fort features an old jail which has two entrances on its southern and northern sides. Cells are seen on the adjacent sides with a circular ceiling on the top. With minimal or no ventilation for the prisoners has been ensured.
3.MADHAVARAYA TEMPLE
The temple has an entrance – the gopuram which is a four storeyed structure. The deeply pyramidal gopuram entiles carvings of deities and happenings of the time. One who enters the passageway is greeted by salabanjikas on either side. The temple also has three other narrow entrances.
This east facing temple from the gopuram leads into a rectangular hallway. The main temple is situated in the middle of this hall with carvings of Venu Gopala Swamy, Vishnu Murthy, Surya Narayana and Lakshmi Ganapathi idols on its four walls. The middle of the temple has an elevated platform for the main deity.
The architecture of the temple depicts four halls namely Artha Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam followed by Antaralayam. Adjacent to the temple one can find a kitchen hall, a kalyana Mandapam and a Navagraha Mandapam to the corner.
4.JAMA MASJID
Mir Jamal of 1650 constructed Jama masjid which lies to the north of Madhavaraya temple. The masjid is a spacious quadrangular structure with sixty four rooms on the inner side and thirty two on the outer side which serve as stables. The masjid has a big fountain in the centre and has been constructed with elements of Islamic architecture.
The ceiling of the monument is vaulted with geometric patterns carved on it. There is a pond outside of the jumma masjid which is called kathula koneru where the soldiers used to wash their swords after the war.
5.RAGHUNATHA SWAMY TEMPLE
To the south of Penna gorge lies the Raghunatha swamy temple which is said to have been constructed by Pemmasani chiefs. The temple is a rectangular courtyard with four protective prakaras. The base of the gopuram has carvings of Dwarapalakas and Salabanjikas on either side. The temple has twenty four pillars with a rectangular arrangement and has carvings of lotus petals and creepers. The temple has Ranganayaka swamy idol which can be now seen in Mylavaram Archaeological Museum near Gandikota which is another attraction for the tourists.
6.PENNA RIVER VIEW POINT
The river view point offers a blend of natural beauty along with an architectural eye feast. The curvy Penna river flows between the cliffs of Erramala hills which are made up of a special type of sedimentary rocks locally known as Gandikota quartz. Best time to visit this place is during sunrise and sunset.
7. NIGHT CAMPING AT GANDIKOTA
Apart from sightseeing the place attracts tourists and campers which makes your trip a memorable one. Camping alongside the bonfire, Kayaking, Rappelling, Trekking are the other adventures one can experience here in Gandikota.
Boating along the river Penna gives you a very soothing experience. Rock climbing, zip lining can also be found if you are an adventure seeker.
8.STAR GAZING AT GANDIKOTA
The real time experience begins when the sun sets and night falls. Starting nights with clear skies when you look at the sky and find countless stars looking back at you is an amazing experience.
HOW TO REACH GANDIKOTA
AIRWAYS:
The nearest airport is the Kadapa airport which is almost 65 kms from Gandikota.
RAILWAYS:
The nearest railway station is Yerraguntla which is 18 kms.
ROAD WAYS:
APSRTC runs a number of buses from all major cities to reach Gandikota fort.
| From City | Distance to Gandikota (Approx.) | Travel Time (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bangalore (Bengaluru) | 280 km | 5-6 hours |
| Hyderabad | 370 km | 7-8 hours |
| Chennai | 360 km | 7-8 hours |
| Belum Caves | 120 km | 2-3 hours |
| Kadapa (Cuddapah) | 120 km | 2-3 hours |
BEST TIME TO VISIT GANDIKOTA
The best time to visit Gandikota is between September and February. The viewpoints in Gandikota offer stunning views of sunrise and sunset, which are particularly enjoyable during this time of year.
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