Chitradurga Fort, Karnataka | milesnsmilesholidays

 

Chitradurga Fort is worth stopping to see on the way to Hampi from Bangalore or Mysore. You could easily spend half a day, or even a whole day, exploring its vast area and learning about the many legends associated with it. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear though because there's a lot of climbing and walking involved!

The fort occupies 1,500 acres on a cluster of rocky hills. It was constructed in stages by rulers of various dynasties (including the Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagars, and Nayakas) from the 10th to the 18th centuries. However, most of the fortification work was done by the Nayakas between the 16th and 18th centuries, when they took over Chitradurga after the fall of the Vijayanagar empire. The fort is known as a stone fort, as its ramparts are made from huge blocks of granite, which blend into the landscape's plentiful boulders. In addition to its numerous concentric walls, gateways, and entrances, the fort apparently has 35 secret pathways and four invisible passages. Plus, 2,000 watchtowers! | milesnsmilesholidays

Nevertheless, after repeated attacks on Chitradurga, Hyder Ali (who took the throne from the Wodeyars of Mysore) managed to get control of the fort in 1779. He and his son, Tipu Sultan, put the finishing touches on it, including a mosque. The British killed Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Mysore War in 1799 and garrisoned their troops in the fort. Later, they handed it over to the Mysore government.

Attractions inside the fort include many ancient temples, artillery units, stone carvings and sculptures, grinding stones (powered by buffaloes and used to crush gunpowder), cauldrons for storing oil, water tanks, a majestic teak door, and a peak with panoramic views. Hidimbeshwara temple, dedicated to the powerful demon Hidimba, used to be a Buddhist monastery and is fort's most interesting temple. It contains a tooth of the demon and a drum that belonged to her husband Bhima, one of the Pandavas brothers from the Hindu epic "The Mahabharata." | milesnsmilesholidays