While planning a trip to Belum Caves in Andhra Pradesh , we were looking for a place to stay overnight.
We discovered Haritha Hotel run by Andhra Pradesh tourism which happens to be half km away from Gandikota fort. So we decided to visit Gandikota Fort which overlooks a beautiful gorge cut by river Pennar.
Gandikota Fort gets its name from a gorge/canyon , which is called 'gandi' in Telegu formed when the Pennar river cuts through Erramala range.
Gandikota was first identified and made into a sand fort in 1123. Being surrounded by a deep valley, a river which cuts a gorge, impregnable hills and red granite boulders, this is a perfect set up for a fort due to the natural defense provided to the occupants
Gandikota was ruled by a powerful Telegu dynasty known as the Pemmasani Dynasty. This was one of the prominent forts of the country.
Gandikota came into the hands of the Pemmasani rulers from the ancient Mikkilineni royal family
through marriage.
A century later Hyder Ali conquered the Fort from whereon it went into the hands of the Britishers
As you enter the fort gate , you are mesmerized by the beautiful outer structure which still stands strong. There are many open spaces where you can park, there is no ticket to visit the place.
I suggest to park the car right at the entrance rather than drive through the village as the road gets a bit narrow further up and many cars are parked on all sides makes the area more constricted
I loved to walk through the fort area to finally be treated to the grand canyon, more like a finale.
The resident village leads a slow life as is very apparent. i could see them huddled up chit chatting.
The kids played around, their favorite game seemed to be to put up a rope to stop the car and then push you into paying up. Somehow i did not find it funny or amusing. Is this how the future generation is being oriented? To coerce gullible tourists into paying up?
There are 2 main temples inside the fort complex, a Jail, a granery (which is watchman's quarters ),
Jama Masjid with 2 minates alongside.
All structures seem to be in varying stages of decay, piling up debris bearing testimony to years of neglect.
With a beautiful place to stay nearby this fort has the potential to become a major tourist hub, hope the current government takes steps to preserve this piece of heritage and culture
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| Visible fort wall..approaching the main gate |
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| Lets take a close up of the board and see what it says.. |
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| Entry point |
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| Fort walls stand tall and strong..still |
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| Little boys playing there could put up a rope and coerce you into shelling out money...watch out! |
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| Charminar |
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| There is a resident village inside the fort |
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| Another shot of the Charminar |
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| The dilapidation is evident |
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| Beautiful old structure stands the test of time |
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| The Jail |
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| A canon ball |
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| An old kitchen aid? |
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| View of the village while taking tour inside |
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| Very simple village life |
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| Seeds, lentils as snack anyone? |
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| Jama Nasjid |
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| Granery entry point |
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| Inside the granery- resident of the watchman |
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| Was very airy inside |
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| Ranganatha Temple |
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| Inside Ranganatha Temple |
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| Beautiful motif on the roof- still inside the temple |
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| My hubby inside the temple |
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| Thats me ! |
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| Now we are walking towards the canyon with abated breath |
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| Almost there |
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| Ancient stone cutting technique where A series of these holes is driven along a line |
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| Pennar river cuts through red granite |
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| The boulders can be loose..step cautiously |
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Sun hat comes mighty handy in this region preferably a wide brimmed one. |
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| Let me sun in peace !! |
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| Water storage tank just opp the temple which is missed on the way to canyon |
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| On the way out towards our parking |
