Chitradurga or Durga is the district capital situated around 200 kilometres from Bangalore.  The area is characteristic of strikingly rocky hills and huge boulders of different shapes. It has a unique hill shaped like an umbrella and lovely scenic valleys. Ruled by the Nayaks in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, the place holds many stories of epics like the Mahabharata and legends like OnakeObavva. It has a significant number of attractions that draws tourists. Some of the places to visit in the city of Chitradurga are:

Chitradurga Fort:

The Chitradurga Fort is called ‘Yelu Suthina Kote’ in the local dialect which means that the fort is circled by seven walls. Four of these walls are on the hills and three are near the foot. The fort on the hill or ‘Meldurga’ has a watch tower, bastions, large walls and ramparts. The main entrance of the fort has an impressive design with a seven hooded cobra, royal swan, ‘Rajahamsa’, the two headed bird ‘Gandaberunda’ from the legends, and a lotus flower. An outstanding feature of the fort is the interconnecting tanks that were used to harvest rain water. These tanks ensured that the fort never ran out of water supply. The magnificence of the fort can be established by the fact that there are 19 gateways, 38 entrances, 19 temples, a mosque, a palace, granaries and several water tanks.

Click to know more about Chitradurga Fort

Chandravalli Caves:

Located among the three hills Chitradurga, Kirubanakallu and Cholagudda, the Chandravalli Caves are an intriguing place to visit. The caves lead into passageways, rooms and smaller rooms through a seemingly unending maze. Though the caves are sufficiently airy, there is no light in them making it handy for kings to use in times of invasion.

Click to know more about Chandravalli Caves

Jamia Masjid:

Built by Tipu Sultan the Jamia Masjid mosque in Chitradurga stands proof of the Sultan’s respect for all religions. A blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture can be noticed in the construction of the mosque. The mosque has two tall minarets and ample space to accommodate and enable more than 1500 devotees to offer Namaz at a time. The mosque now also runs a Madrasa for over 50 students.

Photo Credit: Traveltwosome.com

Ankali Mutt:

Also known as Pradeshappana Guhe, the Ankali Mutt is a popular monastery. The Panchalingeshwara Cave Temple is found in the boulders nearby with the five lingas present here worshipped by the Pandavas on their visit to the caves. Inscriptions made during the rule of Hoysala King Narasimha III can be found on the entrance of the caves.

Photo Credit: Blog.via.com

Very few places offer exploratory spots in a terrain that is mystical with hills and largely dominated with boulders. Chitradurga is one among them!