Chandragiri: The Most Visited Fort of Andhra Pradesh

Esha

Chandragiri: The Most Visited Fort of Andhra Pradesh

Known as the ‘Mountain of the Moon’, Chandragiri is believed to be the most visited fort of Andhra Pradesh. Throughout all these years, Chandragiri has come under the rule of several dynasties and has made a huge contribution to the enrichment of the culture, heritage, and literature of the region.

Chandragiri Fort of Andhra Pradesh; Image source: Google images

Known as the ‘mountain of the moon’, Chandragiri is believed to be the most visited fort of Andhra Pradesh. Throughout all these years, Chandragiri has come under the rule of several dynasties and has made a huge contribution to the enrichment of the culture, heritage, and literature of the region.

Chandragiri Fort is located in the Chandragiri suburbs of Tirupati district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The fort was constructed in the 11th century by the Yadava rulers but flourished the most under the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire. The fort was built under the reign of Immadi Narasingha Yadavaraya. The Yadavarayas ruled over the region for about three centuries. In the year 1367 C.E. the Vijayanagara Empire captured the Chandragiri fort after the last Yadavanagara king lost his son.

Chandragiri was under the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire for three centuries as well. Chandragiri became the biggest witness in the history of the Vijayanagara empire. The celebrations and the mournings, the Chandragiri fort has seen it all. It is believed that the emperor Srikrishna Devaraya was kept in this fort as a prince till his coronation. It is also believed that the emperor met his future wife – Chinna Devi at this fort itself. Chandragiri was the fourth capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, it was declared the capital after the Golconda Sultans captured Penukonda (the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire). After that, in the year 1646, the fort became the territory of the Golconda empire. In 1782 C.E. Haider Ali brought the fort under the Mysore Sultanate.

The fort is spread over 25 acres and is divided into two parts – the upper fort and the lower fort. The former is located on the top of the hill, it consists of watchtowers and several bastions whereas the latter is the plain area on the southern side of the hill. The architecture of the fort is absolutely mesmerizing, from the beautifully carved gateways that are approximately one kilometre apart from each other to the eight temples (which are ruined now) dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. There are two well-preserved structures named the Raja Mahal (king’s palace) and the Rani Mahal (queen’s palace).

Raja Mahal, the palace larger of the two is a three-storey building constructed with stone and mortar but no use of timber can be seen. The architecture of the Indo-Saracenic style clearly states that it was built during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire. The floors are surrounded and supported by massive well-engraved pillars which are plastered with stucco ornamentation. In the years 1988-89, a museum was established at the Raja Mahal which holds the historical significance of the palace and all the dynasties that have ever ruled there. One can find a remarkable collection of documents, ornaments, coins, sculptures of Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, and Goddess Sita, and weapons like Draggers, knives, swords, and head shields used in battlefields.

The Chandragiri Fort is not just an architectural marvel but is also known for the enrichment of art, culture, and literature of that era. Famous works of literature like Manucharitra which is a collection of poems are believed to have been written here. Sage Vyasatirtha, a spiritual advisor to King Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, used to reside here, and even Tenali Rama Krishna, **a Telugu poet of emperor Krishna Devaraya’s court was from this region, it is believed that his descendants still reside here.

Chandragiri Fort is a true example of the amalgamation of architecture and culture, known for its beautiful history. It was a piece of glory during its time.

Just next to the Raja Mahal is the Rani Mahal which is a two-storeyed building. The palace is constructed with rough stone. The entrances of the palace are decorated with stucco ornamentation. Both palaces have been maintained for over 300 years now by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is believed that the Rani Mahal was also been used as the commander’s quarter.