Gandikota

Gandikota
Historical site

Madhavaraya temple at Gandikota
Gandikota

Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 14°48′48″N 78°17′05″E / 14.813433°N 78.284757°ECoordinates: 14°48′48″N 78°17′05″E / 14.813433°N 78.284757°E
Country  India
State Andhra Pradesh
Languages
 • Official Telugu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 516434
Telephone code 08560
Vehicle registration AP04
Website www.manajmd.com

Gandikota is a small village on the right bank of the river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

History

Gandikota was founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana.[1] The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. The fort was made more impregnable by Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu. The fort was under the control of Pemmasani Nayaks for over 300 years.

The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge' (in Telugu it is called 'gandi'), formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Pennar that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft (see the river image below). Situated amidst beautiful landscape and wild forests, it is endowed with vast natural resources.

Surrounded by a deep valley and impassable hills AND with massive boulders of red granite and the river Pennar that flows about 300 ft. below on the west and northern sides, its location affords strong natural defence to the occupants of the Fort. The exploits of Pemmasani Nayaks, Gothram : Musunulla, Rulers of Gandikota and Commanders in Vijayanagar army to protect the honour of Telugu land are well known.[2][3][4][5]

Vemana, the famous Telugu poet, native of Kadapa district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area for a short period.

Efforts are being put to give Gandikota a world heritage status.[6]

Major structures

Within the fort are two ancient temples, dedicated to Madhava and Raghunatha, both are in ruins and the fort area is full of the debris of ages and many ancient structures in varying stages of decay. The large granary, with a vaulted roof, is now used as the traveller's bungalow. The Jamia Masjid has two adjacent minarets. A heritage festival is held every year in fort area.[7]

The other structures within the fort, include another large granary, a magazine, a graceful 'pigeon tower' with fretted windows and an extensive palace built by bricks with some plastered decorations and some wells. There is an old cannon still lying in the fort. There is also the 'Rayalacheruvu' with its perennial springs irrigating some lime and plantain gardens. It is said that this 'Cheruvu' was connected to a fountain in Jamia Masjid by pipes, traces of which can still be seen.

There were other gardens and springs. There is an undated inscription on a boulder, near the 'Nagajhari' outside the fort, recording the gift of two gardens at the place to the temple. There was also a garden called 'Parebagh' with a waterfall at the foot of the hills, on the bank of the Penneru.

Access and Transportation

Nearest Railway station is 26KM away at Muddanuru(Railway code: MOO) in Cuddapa Dist. There are number of trains from Gooty Jn. Nearest Town is Jammalamadugu.[8]

Places to Visit


Gallery

Panorama of Pennar river near the Gandikota fort

References

  1. ↑ W. Francis, Gazetteer of South India, Vol. 2; Mittal Publications, New Delhi, 1988, p. 394
  2. ↑ Sewell, Robert. "A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A contribution to the History of India".
  3. ↑ "K. A. Nilakanta sastry: Further Sources of Vijayanagar History". 1946.
  4. ↑ Stein, Burton (1989). Vijayanagara. Cambridge University Press. p. 92. ISBN 0-521-26693-9.
  5. ↑ "Tidings of the king: a translation and ethnohistorical analysis of the Rayavachakamu by Phillip B. Wagoner". Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. 1993. p. 138-139. ISBN 0-8248-1495-9.
  6. ↑ "Heritage status for Gandikota fort sought". The Hindu. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Gandikota Heritage festival from October 26". The Hindu. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  8. ↑ http://www.mytraveltales.in/2013/09/trip-to-gandikota.html
  9. ↑ http://www.mytraveltales.in/2013/09/trip-to-gandikota.html

Further reading

External links

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