MargretGerken at 19:18, 22 January 2026

2026-01-22T19:18:20Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{hatnote group|
{{distinguish|Gondikota|Gadikota}}
{{for|a person with the name ''Gandikota''|Gandikota V. Rao}}
}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gandikota
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = te
| other_name =
| image_skyline = Indian Grand Canyon Sudhakar Bichali.jpg
| caption = Gandikota [[Gorge]]
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Historical site, Archaeological Survey of India
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 14
| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|14|48|53|N|78|17|12|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 12th Century A. D.
| founder = Kaka Raja, subordinate of [[Kalyani Chalukya]] dynasty (small sand fort)<br />[[Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu]], (101 towers huge rock fort)
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 516434
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 08560
| registration_plate = AP04
| website = {{URL|1=http://aptdc.gov.in/aptdc/getHotels?hotelPlace=GANDIKOTA|2=aptdc.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Gandikota''' is a village and historical fort on the right bank of the [[Penna River|Penna river]], 15 km from [[Jammalamadugu]] in [[Kadapa]] district, [[Andhra Pradesh]], India. The fort was the centre of power for various dynasties, such as the [[Kalyani Chalukya]]s, [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Nayakas]], and the [[Sultanate of Golconda|Golconda Sultanate]]. Initially, a sand fort was constructed by Kaka Raja, a vassal of the Kalyani Chalukya rulers. The village transformed into a major fortified settlement with the rise of the Pemmasani Nayakas. Later, various additions reflecting Islamic architectural styles were made during [[Mughal Empire|the period of Muslim rule]]. The fort is a centrally protected monument of [[Archaeological Survey of India|Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-04 |title=Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5213 |url=https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-04/usq%205213%20for%2004042022.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812100008/https://tourism.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-04/usq%205213%20for%2004042022.pdf |archive-date=2022-08-12 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=Ministry of Tourism}}</ref>

== Etymology==

The fort of Gandikota acquired its name due to the 'gorge', formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Penna (Pennar) that flows at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 100 m (look for the river image in the montage/main image).

==Geology==
Gandikota canyon consists of [[sedimentary rock]]s, namely 'Gandikota [[Quartzite]]' in the Chitravati Group part of Cuddapah [[Stratigraphic unit#Supergroup|Supergroup]].
The Chitravati Group consists of three formation
rank units: the Pulivendla Quartzite; the Tadpatri
Formation; and the Gandikota Quartzite.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256442051_Palaeoproterozoic_sedimentation_in_the_Cuddapah_Basin_south_India_and_regional_tectonics_A_review|title=Palaeoproterozoic sedimentation in the Cuddapah Basin south India and regional tectonics A review|date=2012|access-date=11 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://employee.gsi.gov.in/cs/groups/public/documents/document/b3zp/odk0/~edisp/dcport1gsigovi894618.pdf|title=Pictorial Atlas of Cuddapah Basin|publisher=Geological Survey of India|date=2020|access-date=11 February 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222192902/https://employee.gsi.gov.in/cs/groups/public/documents/document/b3zp/odk0/~edisp/dcport1gsigovi894618.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
Gandikota is a village on the right bank of the river Penna, 15 km from Jammalamudugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Gandikota area was first identified and made Sand fort in 1123 by Kakatiya Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, [[Kalyani Chalukya]] ruler. Gandikota came under the rule of [[Kakatiya]] dynasty from 1239 A.D to 1304 A.D and ruled by their various subordinates.

The village transformed into major fort after the emergence of [[Pemmasani Nayaks|Pemmasani Nayakas]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Sewell |title=A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A contribution to the History of India |url=http://historion.net/r.sewell-vijayanagar-history-india |access-date=3 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202102715/http://historion.net/r.sewell-vijayanagar-history-india/ |archive-date=2 December 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=K. A. Nilakanta sastry: Further Sources of Vijayanagar History |year= 1946 |url=https://archive.org/details/FurtherSourcesOfVijayanagaraHistory}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Vijayanagara |first=Burton |last=Stein |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1989 |page=92 |isbn=0-521-26693-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Tidings of the king: a translation and ethnohistorical analysis of the Rayavachakamu by Phillip B. Wagoner |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |location=Honolulu |year=1993 |pages= 138–139 |isbn= 0-8248-1495-9 |url= https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=62773998}}</ref>

Recently, Tavva Obul Reddy, a Mydukur-based [[historian]], discovered a copper plate inscription on the history of Gandikonda Fort. The inscription dates back to 16th century.<ref>{{cite news|title=Copper plate inscription about Gandikonda Fort found|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/copper-plate-inscription-older-than-mackenzie-kaifiyat-found/article18720214.ece}}</ref>

[[Vemana]] poet, native of [[Kadapa]] district and believed to have lived in Gandikota area for a short period.
[[Jean Baptiste Tavernier]] visited the fort during his travel to Golconda sultanate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gandikota {{!}} District YSR (Kadapa) |url=https://kadapa.ap.gov.in/gandikota/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403071815/https://kadapa.ap.gov.in/gandikota/ |archive-date=2025-04-03 |access-date=2025-05-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Major structures ==
<gallery>
Ranganatha_Swamy_Temple_Distant.jpg|Ranganatha Swamy Temple
Gandikota_Fort_Entrance.jpg |Gandikota Fort Entrance
Camping_Banks_Pennar_River.jpg| Camping on the banks of Penna (Pennar) river
File:Juma masjid.jpg|Juma masjid
</gallery>
In the fort are two ancient temples, dedicated to [[Madhavaraya Temple, Gandikota|Madhava]] and Ranganatha. They are in ruins and the fort area is full of the debris of ages and many ancient structures in varying stages of decay. The large granary, with a vaulted roof, is now used as watchman's quarters. The Jamia Masjid has two adjacent minarets. A heritage festival is held every year in the fort area.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gandikota Heritage festival from October 26|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/gandikota-heritage-festival-from-october-26/article3913182.ece|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 September 2012}}</ref>

The other structures in the fort, include another large granary (used for storing food and grains late back), a magazine, a graceful 'pigeon tower' with fretted windows and an extensive palace built by bricks with some plastered decorations and some wells. There is an old cannon lying in the fort. There is the 'Rayalacheruvu' with its perennial springs irrigating some lime and plantain gardens. It is said that this 'Cheruvu' was connected to a fountain in Jamia Masjid by pipes, traces of which can still be seen.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

There were other gardens and springs. There is an undated inscription on a boulder, near the 'Nagajhari' outside the fort, recording the gift of two gardens at the place to the temple. There was a garden called 'Parebagh' with a waterfall at the foot of the hills, on the bank of the Penneru.

There are multiple camping areas outside the Fort and on the banks of the Penna (Pennar) river.

The other main attractions at the fort includes House of the Drum (drums were used to alert the army in case of invasion), Charminar, Jail (where in the prisoners were held captive) and Red Koneru (Also known as pond of Swords, The huge lake in front of the mosque, where the warriors used to dip their swords in this lake and the waters used to turn blood red after the war).{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==Access and transportation ==
[[File:The Penna near Gandikota.jpg|thumb|Panoramic view of Penna river near Gandikota]]
[[File:Grand Canon of India (Gandikota).jpg|thumb|Gandikota Canyon]]
The nearest railway stations are Muddanuru which is 26 km (railway code: MOO) and Jammalamadugu (JMDG) in Kadapa District. There are number of trains from Gooty Junction. Recently the town of Jammalamadugu which is closest to Gandikota fort <ref name="mytraveltales.in">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mytraveltales.in/2013/09/trip-to-gandikota.html|title = Trip to Gandikota}}</ref> also got railway connectivity due to the completion of [[Nandyal–Yerraguntla section]] railway line. However frequency of trains on this line is very low.

There are buses available from Jammalamadugu Old Bus Stand (Gandhi Statue Junction) to Gandikota.

Inside the fort there is no means of transportation except to walk by foot. There is a good downhill trek through the canyon that leads to the riverbed. There is a dam upstream (Gandikota Dam) and a dam downstream (Mylavaram Dam).{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

There is a Haritha hotel run by Andhra Pradesh Tourism department which has lodging facilities. However the facilities are limited during the weekdays as the visitors during weekdays are low.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==Tourism ==
Gandikota has been referred to as "the [[Grand Canyon]] of India."<ref name = "toi"/>

The Andhra Pradesh government announced an investment of three crore rupees towards tourism development in Gandikota.<ref name = "toi">{{cite web |title=Andhra Pradesh is planning to upgrade tourism infrastructure at Gandikota village |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/andhra-pradesh-is-planning-to-upgrade-tourism-infrastructure-at-gandikota-village/articleshow/88232313.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Article about this visiting Gandikota: ''Grand Canyon at Gandikota'', ''Deccan Chronicle'' newspaper (Hyderabad edition), 6 April 2012, Wanderlust Page: 21

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gandikota}}
* [https://kadapa.ap.gov.in/tourist-place/gandikota/ Gandikota — YSR District Official Website]
* [https://www.natureinfocus.in/guide GandiKota Travel Guide to Plan Your Trip by Nature inFocus/]
* [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_133.gif Imperial Gazetteer of India: About Gandikota]
* [http://columbiauniversity.us/itc/mealac/pritchett/00glossarydata/places/gandikot/gandikot.html Water color paintings by Thomas Fraser and Sir Thomas Anburey-- in 1799 & 1802]
* [http://columbiauniversity.us/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/tavernier/vol1_chapter18.html French Traveller Tavernier's experience about Gandikota Fort & about Nawab of Gandikota while he was in India]
*[http://traveltwosome.com/gandikota-fort-and-canyon/ Gandikota Fort Canyon - A Complete guide with Pictures!/]

{{Forts in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Kadapa district}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in Kadapa district]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Canyons and gorges of India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kadapa district]]
[[Category:1123 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 12th century]]
[[Category:12th-century establishments in India]]

Gandikota - Revision history

MargretGerken at 19:18, 22 January 2026