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Chitradurga Fort – A Picturesque Fort of Karnataka

By Akshatha

Chitradurga is a well known place in Karnataka. Someone looking for tourism in Karnataka will find Chitradurga fort as one of the top destinations. Chitradurga is 200 km from Bangalore city and is easy to reach by road or trains.

Chitradurga gets its name from Chitrakaldurga (or Picturesque castle) as defined in Kannada language. The Chitradurga fort was built and developed over a period of time (10th - 18th C).

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Chitradurga fort is mainly famous for Madakari Nayaka (The king of the last dynasty) and the legend of Obavva during his reign. "Onake Obavva's" story is a highlight in the history of Chitradurga fort.

The legend is about a woman called Obavva, wife of a soldier. Obavva upon seeing Hyder Ali's soldiers entering the fort through a secret hole, kills them one by one with her Onake ( masse or pestle). Her husband, shocked to see dead bodies, alerts the other soldiers. However, both Obavva and her husband die during the battle.

There are 18 temples in the upper part and one huge temple in the lower part of the fort. Among these, Hidimbeshwara temple is the oldest and most interesting. Chitradurga fort is also supposed to be the place of Hidimba Rakshasa of Mahabharata epic.

Chitradurga Fort which is also called as 'Kallina Kote' (Stone Fort) is a popular tourist spot in Karnataka.

Overview of Chitradurga Fort

Overview of Chitradurga Fort

An old photo of the ramparts of Chitradurga Fort.
Photo Courtesy: Dixon, Henry

Chitradurga Fort

Chitradurga Fort

A view of the fort from Tuppada Kola ( a pond inside the fort)
Photo Courtesy: Sharada Prasad CS

Inside the Fort

Inside the Fort

A tank built for rain-water harvesting during those times.
Photo Courtesy: Pavithrah

An Entrance of Chitradurga Fort
 

An Entrance of Chitradurga Fort

It is one of the 38 posterior entrances of the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Nikhil0000711

The Entrance Wall

The Entrance Wall

Carvings on the wall near the entrance.
Photo Courtesy: Ramashray

Gali Mantapa

Gali Mantapa

Another entrance built inside the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Vedamurthy.j

 

Obavvana Kindi

Obavvana Kindi

Obavva stood near this secret opening to kill Hyder Ali's soldiers.
Photo Courtesy: Manjushree B L

Hidambeshwara Temple

Hidambeshwara Temple

Hidamba Rakshasa and his sister Hidambi from the epic Mahabharati believed to have lived here.
Photo Courtesy: Arun Kumar Mathivaanan

Chamundi Temple

Chamundi Temple

An old image of Chamundi temple inside the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Pigou, William Henry

Chitradurga Fort during British rule

Chitradurga Fort during British rule

British men along with locals inside of the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Dixon, Henry

 Bandhikane ( Jail)

Bandhikane ( Jail)

Jail inside the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Vedamurthy.j

A view of the fort

A view of the fort

A pond inside Chitradurga fort.
Photo Courtesy: Pavithrah

 Nandi Temple

Nandi Temple

A temple of Nandi on top of a rock.
Photo Courtesy: Pavithrah

Stone Pillars

Stone Pillars

Big stone pillars in the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Pavithrah

 Rock-Cut Temple

Rock-Cut Temple

A rock-cut temple in the fort.
Photo Courtesy: Nirde102

Temples of Old Architecture

Temples of Old Architecture

Temples on the rocks.
Photo Courtesy: Amigo&oscar

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