Chitradurga Fort History Architecture and Facts

Planning to visit Chitradurga Fort? Here is my guide with all information on Chitradurga Fort History, architecture and interesting facts.

Standing at the gate of Chitradurga Fort of Karnataka I couldn’t fathom the huge area that lay behind ensconced 18 temples, 19 gateways, 2000 guard towers, 38 entrances, 4 secret entrances, reservoirs, warehouses, and more within the fort walls.

Foraging through the paths drawn on Chitradurga Fort map, I decided to focus more on those that highlighted the Chitradurga Fort architecture. Once that was done I could wind up the tour of the Chitradurga Fort interior within 3 hours, else I think even 3 days wouldn’t suffice. Read on to know the highlights of this mighty fort of Dakshin Kannada nadu (south Karnataka).

Chitradurga Fort Important Features

Area covers – 1500acres

Chitradurga Fort is located on the banks of the Vedavati River on a cluster of granite hills, 200km away from Bangalore. It is an ideal destination if you are looking to do a one day trip from Bengaluru city.

Timeline of Chitradurga History

The Chitradurga Fort that we get to see today did not come up in one day. It expanded layer by layer under the leadership of several rulers of different dynasties over centuries. Kings of the Hoysala dynasty were probably the ones to lay the stone here first.

They were followed by the rulers of Hoysalas, the Chalukyas and later the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort further expanded under the reign of Palegar Nayakas during the 15th and18th centuries.

The Nayakas of Chitradurga have prominent place in the Karnataka history. 13 Kings ruled this province for about 211 years from 16th to 18th centuries. Matthi Thimmanna Nayaka (1568-1589 CE) was the first king of this Palepattu in Chitradurga.

In the years 1758 to 1779, during the reign of Madakari Nayaka V, Chitradurga was taken over by Hyder Ali; it then passed on to the hands of Tipu Sultan. Twenty years later Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed by the British colonizers. Later, it was used to station British troops till the fort came under the control of the Mysore Government.

Gateways Chitradurga Fort

Chitradurga Fort Architecture

As you explore the fort you will see the different structures, temples, gates, entrances that have come up during different eras bearing the mark of the dynasties that built them. The fort has seven walls, however today all are not distinctly visible. Chitradurga town has expanded and spread into the first two layers of the fort.

As you proceed to the fort gate the walls get more prominent. We could drive in right through the second wall towards the official entrance of the gate. Note the carved out snake format the entrance. This spot is over what existed as moat once that was filled with crocodiles.

The climb begins from this point. Had we not taken a guide along we would have failed to notice the spy holes and gun slits on the wall. The gun towers were located at vantage positions to keep an eye on advancing armies. The pits that we crossed along the way were used to store oil which was used for lighting.

Somewhere near the sixth gate, or was it the seventh gate, we noticed a man climbing the fort wall effortlessly. I wish I had observed him more closely, because later I saw a wiki page dedicated to this wall climber called Jyoti Raj. Amazing guy with extraordinary skills!

Monkey in Chitradurga Fort

Ruins of Gunpowder factory

Little ahead we crossed the ruins of an old gunpowder factory and abandoned grinding stones. Guess this was under the scrutiny of the security guards who stayed in the nearby cave-like enclosure. Today it is a haunt of bats. The Eknatheshwari Temple, deepa stambha (Pillar for holding lamps), stepwell are a sight to behold. There are more structures around in different stages of deterioration.

Hidimbeshwara Temple

Don’t miss the Hidimbeshwara Temple or the Hidambeswar Gudi, a beautiful temple on the top of a rock in the Chitradurga fort. No entry fee required for visiting the temple. Inside there is a Shivalinga and a massive kettle which is said to have belonged to Bhima of Mahabharata. The temple, entrance, walls and doors are all beautifully carved.

The story of the temple from Mahabharata – a man eating demon named Hidimba and his sister Hidimbi lived on this hill. Both were of contrasting nature. The brother would terrorize humans while the sister Hidimbi was peace loving. When the exiled Pandava brothers were passing through thisvillage Bhima fought and killed Hidimba. Bhima then married Hidimbi, and they had a son named Ghatotkacha.

It is believed that the rocks strewn around were used in the battle. This is supposed to be the second such temple in India after Manali. See –> Hidimba Devi Temple.

Hibimbeshwari Temple Chitradurga Fort

Temple Chitradurga Fort

Read more –> Sampige Siddeshwara Temple where the coronations of the chiefs of the fort took place.

Onake Obavva Kindi at Chitradurga Fort

If you have time to visit just one spot in Chitradurga Fort, then let ‘Onake Obavva Kindi’ be the one! Here is why this spot is important in the history of Chitradurga and Karnataka. Children are often asked to write an essay on Onake Obavva Kindi for their history exams.

Obavva was the wife of a watchman, Kahale Mudda Hanuma. He was in charge of one of the watchtowers of Chitradurga Fort.  Once he had left the spot on some errand, he asked his wife to be on guard till his return. Obavva, a brave woman with ample presence of mind, single handedly killed many soldiers trying to sneak into the fort through kindi (secret passage). All she had was a onake (pestle)!

The passage is a narrow one; you will see it in the same condition even today. Each time an enemy soldier would sneak in she would bang his head with the pestle and kill him on the spot. She would then drag the body away. Another unsuspecting soldier would enter to meet the same fate. In this way she piled up several bodies. She had successfully stalled a possible attack by the enemy that day.

Ever since then the secret passage has been named after her – Obavvana Kindi. (Onake means pestle and Kindi means secret passage.)The list of Indian women in wars is incomplete without mentioning her. Karnataka government has decided to celebrate ‘Onake Obavva Jayanti’ on 11 November throughout the state.

Onake Obavva Kindi

Best time to visit Fort of Chitradurga

Avoid summers and try to trek up in the mornings or evenings. Rest of the year the climate is pleasant. Be a little cautious during the monsoons and avoid the rock climbing adventures during this season.

There is no dress code to be followed to enter the fort. Wear loose comfortable clothes for easy climb up the rocky fort.

Tips to visit the fort

• Lot of walking and trekking up the fort hill, so wear good shoes
• Rock climbing is a popular activity here, get the right climbing equipment with you
• Not disabled friendly.
• Watch out for monkeys.
• If you are running short of time chalk out the itinerary of the fort visit with your guide so that you don’t miss the important sights
• Carry water and light refreshments especially if you are trekking up with kids.

How to reach Chitradurga Fort?

Chitradurga is well connected by road and rail. I visited on my way back from Hampi to Bangalore. Chitradurga railway station is 2.5km from Chitradurga Fort. Nearest international airport, 226 km, is Kempegowda International airport, Bengaluru. Nearest national airport, 136 km, is Jindal Vijayanagar airport in Bellary.

Other names of Chitradurga Fort

Let me quickly tell you the different names of this fort so that if you are planning to get to the fort by private means you can take help of the locals.

Other names of Chitradurga Fort are: Killana Kote (stone fort), Elusuttina Kote (meaning the fort of seven circles),Chitradurga Kote, Chitrakala Durg and Chittal Durg. The name ‘Chitra-Durg’ translates to picturesque fort. Climbing up the fort and seeing the gorgeous scenery all around, I realized how perfectly the fort was named.

Onake Obavva Kindi as wall art in Chitradurga

Open timings – 6AM to 5.45PM.

Tickets are 25 INR per person.

Other weekend Destinations from Bangalore

Yercaud
Mysore

Other forts around Bangalore

Devanahalli Fort
Gudibande Fort
Top 10 Forts in Bangalore

Where to stay in Chitradurga?

Chitradurga city has many budget, mid range and luxury hotels. Hotel Mayura Durg of KSTDC hotel is a great option to stay during budget travel.

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