| CHITRADURGA Located at a distance of 202 kms Northwest of Bangalore, in the heart of the Deccan Plateau, Chitradurga is recognized as the land of valour and chivalry. The district headquarters town, Chitradurga owes its name to “Chitrakaladurga,” or “Picturesque castle”. This is a massive fortress on top of granite hills that rises dramatically from the ground. Archaeological remains found in the area, trace its history to the 3nd millennium B.C. |
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| The district is hilly, with lots of forts and villages. The district is bounded by Tumkur District to the southeast and south, Chikmagalur District to the southwest, Davanagere District to the west, Bellary District to the north, and Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh state to the east. Davanagere District was formerly part of Chitradurga. The district is divided into Six taluks, namely Chitradurga, Hiriyur, Hosadurga, Holalkere, Challakere and Molakalmuru. It is rich in mineral deposits, including gold prospecting at Halekal, Kotemardi or Bedimaradi, etc., and open cast copper mines at Ingaldhal. |
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| Chitradurga Fort |
| The old walled Town houses the impressive fort, built on the north eastern base of a cluster of rocky hills, qualifying it to be a Giridurga, or hill fortress. Known as Yelu Suthina Kote, the fort is fortified by seven circular walls, three of which are on the ground and four on the hill. Chitradurga fort is said to have had 19 majestic doors, 38 smaller doors, 35 special entry points and four secret entrances. The fort is entered through four gateways of the outermost wall. The foothills of the fort constitute the main residential area of the town. The Mel Durgas, forts on the hill are embellished with extensive fortifications, ramparts, bastions, batteries, watchtowers and entrances located at strategic points and house fourteen temples. Some of the fort’s important landmarks are Thuppada Kola Betta, Hidimbagiri, Zadaa Battery (Flag battery), Kahale Battery (Trumpet battery), Lal Battery (Red battery) and Nellikai Battery (Gooseberry battery). The main entrance to the fort, Kamanbhavi, has carvings of the seven – hooded cobra the legendary twin headed bird, Gandaberunda, the royal swan, Rajhamsa and lotus flowers. |
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| Banashankari Temple |
| located in a little cave still has worship going on. A little further, in a large stone walled pit, are four massive Grinding stones. These stones, used to crush gunpowder, were turned by buffalo power. At the entrance of the place are Enne Kolas, large cauldrons used for storing oil. On the left of the hillock is the Bombe Chavadi Mantap. (toys pavilion) that has sculptures of elephants and horses with their mahouts. The majestic teak door is one of the finest features of the Chitradurga fort. Sculptures of Kalinga mardhana (Krishna salying the serpent Kalinga), Hanuman, tiger fights and elephant fights adorn the doorway. The EkanatheshwareTemple, built by Matti Thimmana Nayaka in the 15th century, has a deepastambha (lamp pillar) and a swing arch in the forefront. Nearby is the Hidimbeshware Temple, that was previously a Buddhist monastery. The Brihanmatha (monastery) consisting of 300 columns was built on the hillock by “Bichugatti Baramanna Nayaka”, the sword wielding chieftain of the 17th century. The SampigeSidheshwaraCaveTempleand the GopalakrishnaTempleare nearby. No account of Chitradurga Fort would be complete without mention of the Vanake Obavva Kindi, a secret entrance associated with the heroic tale of a Beda woman, Obavva. Single handed, she vanquished hundreds of Haider Ali’s soldiers, who were stealthily trying to enter the fort. |
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| Chandravalli |
| Suituated at the north easterly axis of the Chitradurga hill, the Chandravalli is an ancient archaeological site. Digs revealing bricks, painted pottery and coins are traced to the Satavahana period as well as well as prehistoric times. The Basavanagondi region has the Byraveshwara Temple |
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| Ankali Mutt |
| Nestling amongst a group of rugged hills, west of Chitradurga, this mutt is known for its subterranean chambers. Near the Panchalinga cave (Wonder cave) entrance, is an inscription dated 1286 A.D. executed in the reign of the Hoysala King Narasimha III |
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| Bruhanmutt |
| Located about three kms from Chitradurga this mutt, also known as Sri. Murugarajendra Matt was built in honour of an eminent guru of the Veershaiva |
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| Aadumalleshwara |
| Located 5 kms. from Chitradurga, is a Shiva Cave temple built by Aadooru Mallapa. An interesting feature is a perennial stream that flows through the Nandi’s (buills) mouth |
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| Jankal |
| This is the birth place of the Chitradurga’s last chieftain, Madakari Nayaka |
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| Bagooru |
| Seventy kms. from Chitradurga, this place is known for the ancient Chennakeshava temple |
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| Heggere |
| The Jain monastery, located here and the Kalleshwara temple are the attractions. |
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| Brahmagiri |
| 63 kms. from Chitradurga, this village is famous on account of Emperor Ashoka’s earliest rock edicts in the Brahmi script and Prakrit language dating to the 3rd century B.C. it is also the ancient site of Ishila, one of Ashoka’s provincial capitals |
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| Ashoka Siddapura |
| About forty kms. from Bharamagiri, this is an importantarch aneological site where Ashoka’s edicts have been found. Nearby, there is a hillock, known as Ramagiri. Myth has it that when Ravana was abducting Sita to Lanka, the legendary eagle, Jatayu made a heroic sruggle to save here, but lost his life in the ensuing fight. Thereafter, Rama performed its last rites and installed a Shiva performed its last rites and installed a Shiva linga on the spot. The place was henceforth called Jattinga Rameshwara Linga and a temple dedicated to Rameshwara built in 926 A.D. exists |
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| Jogimatti |
| Ten kms. south of Chitradurga is this hill resort, situated at a height of 3803 ft. (The highest point in the district). The place is named after a yogi, who was well known for his social service. Himavatkedra, a waterfall that flows through the rocks, has created a natural cave, that has a Shiva Linga and idols of Veerabhadra and Basavanna |
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| Vani Vilas Sagar |
| (Manrikanvie) Thirty two kms, from Chitradurga, this is an artificial lake, also called Marie Kanive, built by the Maharaja of Mysore, built across the river Vedavathi. Measuring 162 ft. by 1300 ft., this reservoir has two mantapa (pavilion halls) built in the saracenic style and is considered an engineering marvel |
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