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It was pitch dark when we began our early morning drive from Kadapa. Two hours later, as the warm glow of dawn hit upon us, we found ourselves passing through sprawling green pastures interspersed with lush fields and towering hills of Gandikota village.
Just in time for sunrise, we had reached the Gandikota Fort. The first sight that lay in front of us were the gigantic stone walls and enclosed entrance gate of the fort. A short walk on the cobbled path of the entrance led us inside.
The moment we set our eyes on the Gandikota Fort premises overlooking the magnificent Pennar River Gorge (called Grand Canyon of India), we realized it was worth the hype – a sight we had only seen in period films till then.
Now, let me take you on a detailed tour of the Gandikota Fort, places to see around the fort, including useful tips and activities you can indulge in here.
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Brief History Of Gandikota Fort
The intriguing stone fortress of Gandikota was built around the 13 century A.D as per historical records. It stood witness to the rule of several dynasties such as Kakatiyas, Vijayanagara kingdom, Pemmasani Nayakas, Golconda Sultanate and the British.
It’s said that when French traveler Jean Baptiste Tavernier visited Gandikota Fort, he was so mesmerized by its grandeur that he compared it to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hampi Vijayanagara.
The presence of both temples and a mosque inside the fort is testament to the religious unity prevalent during those times.
Where Is Gandikota Fort & How Can You Reach Here?
Gandikota Fort is situated in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa district. One of the best getaways from Hyderabad, Gandikota is also among the most affordable short trips from Chennai, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Kurnool and Vijayawada. You can reach Gandikota Fort by road, rail or air from any of these cities.
The closest airport to Gandikota Fort is Kadapa Airport (2 hours), while the nearest railway station is Yerraguntla Junction (1 hour). From these points, the best way to reach Gandikota would be to hire a taxi.
Must-Visit Places In & Around Gandikota Fort
Perched atop a rocky hill on the banks of Pennar River Canyon, Gandikota Fort comprises 101 towering bastions. Besides the fort remnants, the complex houses several structures that are revered for their architectural beauty and historical significance.
Here are the main spots that you can cover during your visit to Gandikota Fort:
1. Gandikota Canyon Viewpoint
Just ahead of the fort complex lies the viewpoint from where you can watch the Pennar river cutting through the deep ravines of the canyon. The gorge is a natural marvel formed by centuries of river erosion.
This is the first spot we covered, as the sun rising amidst the backdrop of the gorgeous canyon, was a sight that simply couldn’t be missed. We climbed up to a rock on the edge and settled for almost an hour, simply to soak in the breathtaking view of the place, often compared to the famous Grand Canyon of America.
2. Raghunatha Swamy Temple
This 15th century temple stands a few meters away from the canyon viewpoint. Built on an elevated platform, the stone temple features intricately carved pillars featuring mystic sculptures that are worth gazing upon.
The original idol of this temple has now been shifted to the Mylavaram Archaeological Museum (19 km from here). Thus, you will not find any priests here. As we sat inside the temple, a cool breeze brushed across our faces despite the scorching sun. We felt at peace and relaxed.
3. Madhavaraya Temple
This temple lies on the southern side of Jama Masjid, with a four-storey pyramid-shaped gopuram and elevated platform featuring exquisitely-carved sculptures of Hindu gods. After you enter the main temple, you will pass through multiple pillared halls featuring stunning Vijayanagara-style craftsmanship before reaching the main garbhagriha.
Other highlights are the multi-level flooring plan in the interiors, besides the intricate motifs of lions and lotuses across the columns of the temple. It’s a must-visit for its architectural beauty.
4. Jama Masjid
A short walk away from the Raghunatha Swamy Temple, the Jama Masjid is another architectural beauty with two elaborate minarets and 64 rooms.
The mosque features Islamic detailing such as pointed arches, domed roof and vaulted ceiling, which are a visual treat. From the mosque premises, you can get a good view of the old granary.
5. Mini Charminar
Next to the jail lies a 3-storey building from the Golconda kingdom. It is often referred to as a smaller version of Charminar as it has four minarets topped by domes and a pointed arch in the center.
6. Kathula Koneru
As soon as you step out of the mosque, you will find this ancient stepwell on the opposite side. Called Kathula Koneru, it literally translates to ‘pond of swords’ as it is believed that soldiers washed their swords in this pond after fighting battles.
Tourists are prohibited to go inside, because the steps are quite steep and dangerous. However, you can take a look from the outside.
7. Pennar River
There are two ways to go down to the banks of the pristine Pennar river from the fort. You can either go to the boating zone and hike down to the river bank, or drive to the Mylavaram Dam. Enjoy the breathtaking views once you reach any of these points.
TWT Tip: If you choose to hike down to the boating zone, please keep in mind that it’s a very steep and rocky hill. We saw several people return midway as they found the hike to be too dangerous. Thus, you might want to wear a comfortable sports shoe with a non-slippery base if you intend to complete the hike and indulge in the boating activity.
8. Jail building
As you walk further towards the exit of the fort, you will find a rectangular building, which used to be a jail once upon a time. It’s quite intriguing to see the jail cells with very small openings, just enough for a little bit of air and sunlight to pass through.
Other Tourist Spots Near Gandikota Fort
Within a 2-4 hours drive from the Gandikota Fort, these are some tourist attractions that you can cover:
The best time of the day to visit the Gandikota Fort would be early morning around sunrise or in the evening hours before sunset.
In terms of the season, Winter is the best time as the weather is pleasant during this season.
Considering that it is a hot region with average temperatures ranging between 26 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius in April, summers are certainly not an ideal time to visit Gandikota.
The rainy season must also be avoided as the stone walkways and hiking paths can be quite slippery.
Did You Know?
Andhra Pradesh government, along with the state tourism department, hosts the Gandikota Festival at the fort in January every year. The grand festival includes historical dramas, folk artistes’ carnival and dance, magic shows and stalls that sell local food and artifacts. Entry to the festival is free as of now.
Best Activities Near Gandikota Fort
The area that surrounds Gandikota Fort offers several adrenaline-pumping activities by adventure companies like RK Gandikota Camping, Freakouts and Adventure Sports Academy (located close to the fort). These include:
Rock climbing
Trekking
Camping (AC & non-AC tents)
Rappelling
Boating/Kayaking
How Much Time Can Be Spent In Gandikota Fort?
You can easily spend 3-4 hours in the Gandikota Fort premises if you want to cover all the major attractions, including the ancient temples, mosque, Gandikota canyon viewpoint and boating in the Pennar river. If you want to have a more relaxed visit, there are overnight stay options as well.
TWT Tip: Whether you’re visiting Gandikota Fort on a short trip or staying back, you might want to carry non-perishable snacks, nuts, and sandwiches as you will not find too many food options nearby. The restaurant at Haritha Hotel had run out of breakfast when we reached there at 10:30 AM and we couldn’t find any other hygienic eateries.
Accommodations Near Gandikota Fort
The most popular accommodations nearest to Gandikota Fort are AP Tourism’s Haritha Resort and camping tents offered by adventure companies mentioned earlier. You will also find many smaller hotels and homestays very close to the fort premises, such as Duvvuri, Moon Resort, Galaxy and Royal Palace Residency.
TWT Trivia: In July 2023, a foundation stone was laid for the construction of a 7-star hotel in Gandikota by the Oberoi group.
TWT Summary
Gandikota Fort is truly a hidden gem that has not yet been fully explored by the world. However, if you do manage to get here, you are bound to be mesmerized by its massive stone walls, the surreal beauty of the neighboring Pennar River gorge and the ancient temples and mosque situated in its premises.
For adventure enthusiasts too, Gandikota Fort premises has a lot to offer, including kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling and hiking. Plus, if you decide to stay back in the camping tents here, you are sure to be enthralled by the view of the sunrise from the canyon’s banks.
Entry: Free
Frequently Asked Questions About Gandikota Fort
1. Why is Gandikota referred to as ‘Grand Canyon of India’?
Gandikota is called the Grand Canyon of India due to its naturally formed steep gorge with a river cutting through the center. It closely resembles the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, with the Colorado river flowing in the middle.
2. What is the distance of Rayalacheruvu Lake from Gandikota?
Rayalacheruvu Lake is located around 95 kilometers away from Gandikota. It takes a two and half hour drive to reach the reservoir from Gandikota Fort.
3. What are the best places to visit near Gandikota fort?
Gandikota Fort is surrounded by several tourist spots such as Rayalacheruvu, Ahobilam, Belum Caves, Yaganti Temple, Lepakshi and Kurnool Fort. Most of these places can be reached in 2-3 hours from Gandikota.
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Sharmistha, who also happens to be our founder, is an award-winning alumna of the Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media. During her 10-year stint as a journalist, she has worked for major newspapers, including the Times of India & The New Indian Express. She is also a certified travel writer, trained by the bestselling author Dave Fox and award-winning sustainable travel writer Shivya Nath. Sharmistha has traveled to over 25 destinations within India so far. Read More
2 thoughts on “Gandikota Fort Guide: Best Time To Visit, Must-Visit Spots, Activities & Helpful Tips”
Very good article about this place. Very much interested to visit soon.
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