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Plan your weekend: An Andhra fort that has a Madras connect
Chandragiri Fort in Tirupati is often considered as a weekend destination due to its proximity to Tirupati. The place is less than a four-hour drive from Chennai.
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migrator
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Chennai
The Fort was constructed by King Shivappa Nayaka of the Nayaka dynasty in the 11th century. The Fort looks captivating amidst the dense, green forest and adventurous treks. The Chandragiri Fort is a brilliant example of Indo-Saracen architecture from the Vijayanagara period. The towers crowning the Fort represent the Hindu architecture. The entire fort is built using stone, lime mortar, brick, and devoid of timber.
One interesting trivia about Chandragiri is its connection with Madras Day! The British East India Company purchased a small piece of land from the last king of Chandragiri in 1639 and established Fort St George. We celebrate Madras Day to commemorate the founding of the city by establishing Fort St George.
There are two parts in the innermost enclosure — a lower fort and an upper fort. A granite hill forms the backdrop to the lower fort, which has two important buildings. The first is a three-storeyed palace with a durbar hall in the middle. The greatest Vijayanagara ruler, Krishnadevaraya, lived here until he ascended the throne. If you are looking forward to roam around and study the history and architecture, then avoid visiting Chandragiri during the summer season.
Fact file
- Chandragiri, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh
- Distance from Chennai: 145 km
- What to see: There is a sound and light show. Tickets are available at the venue. The show is in English and Telugu
- The fort museum contains a number of stone and metal carvings
- Best time to visit is between the months of August to December
- There is a pool/pond which is supposed to offer boating facilities, but it is not maintained well
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