Gandikota
Jammalamadugu, Y.S.R., Andhra Pradesh
- Description
Gandikota is a village situated along the banks of the Pennar River, approximately 16 km from Jammalamadugu in the Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Many avid travellers draw parallels and call it the "Grand Canyon of India". Notably, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French gem merchant and traveler, has remarked on the fort and its structures, and called it the 2nd Hampi. Nestled between the Erramala range of hills and the Pennar River, the Gandikota Fort offers a remarkable setting, with origins dated back to 1123 AD. The river, flowing at the foothills, spans a modest 300 feet in width. Pennar's course has carved through the hills, sculpting a magnificent gorge. Within the Gandikota Fort Complex, visitors can explore two temples - the Madhavaraya Temple and the Ranganatha Swamy Temple - as well as the Jama Masjid. Additional attractions include the Charminar, a sizable granary, an elegant pigeon tower, Rayala Cheruvu, the Drum House, the Prison, and the Red Connell.
