Chitradurga Fort Karnataka: Timings, History, Information

Cover photo by Salil

Chitradurga Fort, also known as Chitrakaladurg and Chittaldurg, is situated on the banks of the Vedavati River. It is a massive fort spread across 1500 acres on a cluster of granite hills. Built in different stages that extended across eight centuries, Chitradurga Fort is famous as the land of chivalry and courage. It is locally known as Kallina Kote (the stone fort) and its splendor and glory take people back to India’s magnificent past. Located around 200 km away from Bengaluru, Chitradurga Fort is an exciting weekend getaway and one of the best places for sightseeing in Karnataka. Staying true to its name, Chitradurga (picturesque fort), this historical place provides spectacular views of the nearby hills and a serene environment that is away from the noise and monotony of city life.

Here is everything you need to know about the Chitradurga Fort including its history, timings, architecture, and much more.

Chitradurga Fort: Architecture

Chitradurga Fort is one of the biggest forts in India that has 38 posterior entrances, 19 gateways, four invisible passages, 35 secret entrances, numerous water tanks, and around 2000 watchtowers which were designed to guard and keep an eye on the enemy incursions. The fort was intelligently built to sustain the original rock formations of the mountain and seven hills. The lakes and water channels around the fortification made it inaccessible for enemies.

In the fort, the reservoirs, pits, and storage warehouses were mainly designed to ensure the water, food, and military provisions needed to endure an extended siege. All these facilities are well- preserved by the authorities. The seven walls inside the fort were constructed with sleek passage to prevent enemies from entering the castle to attack with elephants. Also, there were some areas in the fort wall that were used by archers to attack the enemy. The Chitradurga Fort is known to have eighteen stunning temples built in the upper fort and one temple in the lower fort. Some popular temples include the Hidimbeswara, Sampige Siddeshwara, Phalguneshwara, and Ekanathamma. Seeing its architectural significance and the distinctiveness of its design, the fort is regarded as a masterwork of history.

Chitradurga Fort: History

The Chitradurga Fort was built in different phases between the 11th and 13th centuries by dynastic rulers, including the Hoysalas, the Chalukyas and later the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Chitradurga Fort in Karnataka was expanded during the 15th and 18th centuries by the Palegar Nayakas or Nayakas of Chitradurga. During the region of Madakari Nayaka V from 1758 to 1779, the city of Chitradurga and the fortress were taken over by Hyder Ali. Thus, the fort had gone through the hands of numerous kings and rulers and witnessed some major transformations. Twenty years later, the famous ruler Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali was defeated and killed by the British forces. The British colonial forces considered the fort a strong foundation for building a powerful defense line to Mysore's northern border and they took the fort under their command. Later, the fort became a property of the Mysore Government.

Attractions inside the Chitradurga Fort

Blessed with rich history and eye-catching beauty, the Chitradurga Fort has several tourist spots. Some of the most important places are: -

Hidimbeshwar Temple

One of the oldest among the 18 temples on the Chitradurga Fort map, the Hidimbeshwar Temple is the must-visit place inside the fort. This beautiful temple is said to be related to the Mahabharata legend. An important pilgrim among devotees, the temple showcases the exclusive Dravidian sculptures and has a massive kettle drum which is believed to be associated with Bhima.

Onake Obavvana Kindi

You should not miss visiting the famous Onake obavvana Kindi in the Chitradurga Fort. This is the place where Onake Obavva, a brave woman in the Chitradurga kingdom, killed many soldiers of Hyder Ali to protect the fort.

Davanagere

Situated around 61 km away from Chitradurga Fort in Karnataka, Davanagere is famous for having the Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple. With stunning artwork and attractive portraits of several Hindu deities, the temple is crowded especially on Saturdays. Also, Davangere is an ideal tourist spot for people who wish to explore the Western Ghats. 

Vani Vilas Sagar Dam

Located at a distance of 32 km from Chitradurga, the Vani Vilas Sagar Dam was built using advanced engineering techniques. One of the oldest dams in the state, this dam is also known as Mari Kanive and was constructed by the Mysore Kings on the Vedavathi River. It is an ideal spot to enjoy enchanting views and spend some relaxed and peaceful moments amid nature.

Ankali Matt - Chandravalli Caves

Situated in Chandravalli Vana, Ankali Mutt is a major archaeological site in Chitradurga. Famous as the Chandravali cave temples, the Ankali Matt is a unique blend of well-planned architecture and natural formations. Named after Ankalagi, a saint from Belgaum, the cave is surrounded by massive rocky cliffs and boulders. The cave temples are famous for huge Shiva Lingas under the giant boulder.

Some other attractions in and around the Chitradurga fort include:

• Sampige Siddeshwara temple
• Gopal Krishna temple
• Uchchangiamma or Uthsavamba
• Doddahotrangappa Hill
• Bheemasamudra Dam
• Dasaratha Rameshwara
• Ranganathaswamy Temple

There are a number of monuments and historical attractions inside the fort with inscriptions of Chitradurga Fort history in Kannada. The Chitradurga houses many temples, dams, forts, rivers, forests, and caves which you can visit during your trip here. Apart from exploring these places, you can enjoy many outdoor activities such as kayaking, jet-skiing, boat rides, and canoeing in the rivers. You can also enjoy camping and trekking the hills.

Best Time to Visit Chitradurga Fort

Since this historical monument is always open to the public, you can visit it during any month and season at your convenience. However, the summer season is quite warm here which can make it difficult for you to explore the many sightseeing spots in Chitradurga. Yet, the evenings during summer are very pleasant here. The temperature during the winter season might fall to 12 °C so that the perfect time to visit this place is during winter from October to February. The timing of Chitradurga Fort is from 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM on all days of the week.

We hope the information about Chitradurga fort will help you to plan a trip to this amazing place. You can make things easier by selecting the best Karnataka tour packages and includes the Chitradurga Fort. Book your package now and get ready to spend some unforgettable days exploring the culture and history of Chitradurga Fort, Karnataka, taking you back in time.