Chitradurga Fort Captured in Lens - A Never-seen-before View
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (GA)
Feb 24: Chitradurga, which is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district, derives its name from Chitrakaldurga, an umbrella-shaped lofty hill found here. Tradition dates the Chitradurga district to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati river, with the Tungabhadra flowing in the North-West. The well known tourist place in Chitradurga is the Fort, which is popularly known as Kallina Kote or Ukkina Kote or even Elu Suthina Kote.
Daijiworld's ace photographer Dayanand Kukkaje who has made it a habit to click some stunning photos was recently in Chitradurga to attend the All-India Kannada Literary Conference. During his leisure hours, he clicked some memorable and fantastic photos of the famed Chitradurga fort. Here we present these beautiful pictures for all those who have never ever seen Chitradurga fort and even for those who have always admired this fabulous piece of architecture.
The Fort of Chitradurga with seven circumambulations surrounds the seven hills of Chinmuladri range. Actually the construction of this fort started during 10th Century AD and completed in 18th Century AD during the rule of palegars. According to an estimate the total length of the fort is about 8 kms. This fort as 19 gateways, 28 postern gates, 35 secret entrances, 4 invisible entrances, 50 warehouses, apart from other monuments.
The Chitradurga fort is a marvel of military architecture made impregnable by the Nayak Palegars. Visitors to Chitradurga’s Kallina Kote cannot help but be astounded by the sheer size of everything within the Fort. The approach to each gate is uphill and through passages which twist and turn, thus making it impossible to use elephants or battering rams to break down the gates. Additionally every wall has pigeonholes from where soldiers could rain down arrows on invaders.