About Chitradurga

Country: India | State: Karnataka

Ideal Trip Duration: Not Available

Nearest City to Chitradurga: Chitradurga

Best Time to Visit Chitradurga: October to February

Peak Season: October to February

At a distance of 60 km from Davanagere, 106 km from Shimoga, 129 km from Hosapete, 138 km from Ballari, 160 km from Ananthapur, 200 km from Bangalore, and 207 km from Hubli, Chitradurga is a city located on the valley of the Vedavati River in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Chitradurga district, and among the must-include places in Karnataka tour packages.

Chitradurga is a place with historical significance and serves as a prominent tourist destination in Karnataka. The city is particularly famous for the Chitradurga Fort, constructed in the 15th century, which is often referred to as 'Kallina Kote' or 'Stone Fortress.' The term is derived from two Kannada words: 'Kallina' meaning 'Stone' and 'Kote' meaning 'Fort.' Additionally, it is known by other Kannada names such as 'Ukkina Kote,' translating to 'Steel Fort,' and 'Yelusuttina Kote,' meaning 'Seven Circles Fort.' The fort, characterized by its imposing stone walls, bastions, and ancient temples, provides insight into the region's rich historical narrative, particularly during the eras of the Nayakas and the Vijayanagara Empire.

Chitradurga presents an alluring blend of history, mythology, and spirituality for its visitors as part of Chitradurga tour packages. It is believed that the original name of the area was 'Chatrakaldurg,' with 'Chatrakal' signifying umbrella rock, inspired by a distinctive umbrella-shaped hill located in the southwestern part of the town. According to local legends, it is here that Bhima of Mahabaratha vanquished the demon Hidambasura and married his sister Hidimbi. The town's history dates back to the 3rd Millennium BC, having been governed and developed over time by various dynasties, including the Mauryans, Shathavahanas, Kadambas of Banavasi, Chalukyas, Pallavas, Rastrakutas, Cholas, Vijayanagara, Nayakas, and the Mysuru Wadiyars.

Nestled amidst rocky hills and striking landscapes, Chitradurga is a favored destination for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visitors can delve into the fort's extensive history by navigating its seven concentric walls, ancient temples, watchtowers, and water reservoirs. Furthermore, there are several tourist places in Chitradurga including the Chandravalli Caves, Hidimbeshwara Temple, Vani Vilasa Sagara, Molakalmuru, Nayakanahatti Temple, and Jogimatti Wildlife Sanctuary. For adventure seekers, the opportunity to scale the massive boulders surrounding the fort adds an exhilarating dimension to their visit.

Bangalore Airport is the nearest airport, which is 220 km from Chitradurga. Chitradurga Railway Station (CTA) is well connected by trains to cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Hyderabad, Shimoga, Mysore, Nagpur, Hosapete, Varanasi, and Mumbai. NH-4 passes through Chitradurga from Bangalore. Direct buses are available to Chitradurga from all districts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra.

The best time to visit Chitradurga is between October and March, with the peak tourist season occurring from November to February. During these months, the climate is pleasant, making it suitable for discovering the historic Chitradurga Fort and its picturesque surroundings. The summer months can be quite intense, and exploring the fort requires considerable walking outdoors. The monsoon season, spanning from June to September, is characterized by moderate to heavy rainfall. Nevertheless, for visitors desiring tranquility and verdant scenery, this can be a rejuvenating time to visit, although one must exercise caution due to potentially slippery paths.

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How to Reach Chitradurga

By Air

Nearest Airport: Bangalore - Bengaluru International Airport (220 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Chitradurga (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Chitradurga (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

#1 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 3 km from Chitradurga Railway Station, Chitradurga Fort, or Chitaldoorg is hill fort situated in the Chitradurga District of Karnataka, India. It is one of the best heritage sites near Bangalore.

Chitradurga Fort, also known as Chitrakaladurg and Chittaldurg, lies in the midst of a valley formed by the Vedavati River. This extensive fortification spans 1500 acres across a series of seven granite hills known as the Chinmuladri range. The name Chitradurga is derived from two Kannada words: 'Chitra,' meaning picture, and 'Durga,' meaning fort. Locally, it is recognized as Kallina Kote, translating to the stone fort, which evokes the grandeur and historical significance of India's illustrious past. Additionally, it is known locally as 'Ukkina Kote,' meaning Steel Fort, and 'Yelusuttina Kote,' which translates to Seven Circles Fort.

Considered one of the most formidable hill forts in India, .....

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#2 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 59 km from Chitradurga, Vani Vilasa Sagara Dam is a dam in Hiriyur Taluk of Chitradurga. Popularly known as Mari Kanive, it is one of the prominent Chitradurga tourist places.

Vani Vilasa Sagara was built in 1907 by the Mysore Maharajas across the Vedavathi River, a tributary of Krishna River. The project was built during the year 1897 to 1907 under the regime of Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Krishna Raja Wodeyar Bahadur and was named after the his mother Kempa Nanjammanni Vani Vilasa. Due to financial constraints, the royal family of Mysore had to pledge their royal jewelry to fund the construction of this dam.

This dam stands as a remarkable example of architecture and engineering for its time. It is recognized as the oldest dam in Karnataka, commonly referred to as Mari Kanive. The dam has a capacity of storing 30 TMC of water, and is taller than KRS dam of Mysore. The primary purpose .....

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#3 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 44 km from Chitradurga, Sri Teru Malleshwara Temple is Hindu temple situated in Hiriyur near the historical city of Chitradurga. It is one of the must-include places in Chitradurga pilgrimage packages.

Sri Teru Malleshwara Temple is a revered temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed around 1466 CE during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. Located along the banks of the Vedavati River, it is popularly known as Dakshina Kashi. This temple is now recognized as a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.

According to local legend, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, Belavadi Hema Reddy Mallamma, resided in this town. Each year, she undertook a pilgrimage to Varanasi on foot. As she grew older, Mallamma prayed to Lord Shiva, expressing her inability to continue this arduous journey. In response to her unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva is .....

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#4 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 4 km from Chitradurga Railway Station, Chandravalli is an archaeological site located in the city of Chitradurga. It is one of the best places to visit as part of Chitradurga heritage packages.

Chandravalli is located immediately to the west of the fortified hill of Chitradurga. The initial excavations at this site were conducted in 1909 by R. Narasimhachar, who served as the Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums of the Mysore state. Subsequent excavations were undertaken by H. M. Krishna in 1928-29 and later by Mortimer Wheeler under the auspices of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1947.

At the Chandravalli archaeological site, researchers uncovered painted pottery and coins dating back to the pre-historic and Shatavahana periods, indicating that human habitation existed in this area during the Iron Age. Inscriptions discovered in the adjacent hillocks are attributed .....

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#5 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 7 km from Chitradurga Railway Station, Aadumalleshwara Temple is a Hindu cave temple situated in Chitradurga town of Karnataka. It is one of the famous places to visit as part of Chitradurga leisure tour.

Aadumalleshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was constructed by Aadooru Mallappa. A notable aspect of the temple is the perennial stream that flows through the mouth of the Nandi statue. The temple complex features a small zoo, a park, and a playground, along with a pond situated opposite the temple, which is home to numerous large fish.

The Aadumalleshwara Mini Zoo & Balavana was inaugurated in 1987 and is overseen by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka. Covering an area of 8.5 hectares, this Mini Zoo is located within the Jogimatti sanctuary and was established to provide the public, particularly children, with the opportunity to observe wild animals in close proximity and to foster an .....

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#6 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 6 km from Chitradurga Railway Station, Jogimatti Wildlife Sanctuary is a reserved forest located in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. Is is one of the must-include places in Chitradurga wildlife packages.

Covering an area of 100 square kilometers across the Chitradurga, Hiriyur, and Holalkere taluks, the Jogimatti Wildlife Sanctuary is an enchanting wildlife sanctuary characterized by undulating hills, pristine wilderness, and abundant wildlife. Previously recognized as the Jogimatti State Forest, it was officially designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 2015. This sanctuary is vital for the conservation of the region's diverse wildlife.

The Jogimatti forest is well-known for its tranquil atmosphere, verdant landscapes, and stunning vistas of the adjacent terrain. It hosts a variety of flora and fauna, including several rare and endangered species such as black panthers, Indian gaurs, .....

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#7 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 37 km from Chitradurga, Nayakanahatti Thipperudra Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Nayakanahatti town near Chitradurga. It is one of the must visit temples as part of Chitradurga pilgrimage tour.

Nayakanahatti Thipperudra Swamy Temple is dedicated to the revered sage Thipperudra Swamy, also referred to as Tippeswamy. Tippeswamy was a prominent Indian Hindu spiritual leader and social reformer who performed miracles in the 15th century. He addressed the needs of the local populace by constructing a lake for the village, earning him the title of Mahatma, a compassionate figure revered by many. He is revered by both Hindu and Muslim devotees.

According to legend, Thipperudra Swamy is believed to be an incarnation of one of the five Ganadheeswaras, who were ordered by Lord Shiva to propagate Shaivism. These five Gurus reincarnated in various regions of India at different times to .....

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#8 of 8 Places to Visit in Chitradurga

At a distance of 71 km from Chitradurga, Gayatri Jalashaya is a reservoir situated near Kariyala village in Hiriyur Taluk of Chitradurga district. It is one of the scenic places to visit near Chitradurga.

Gayatri Jalashaya, also known as Gayatri Dam, was constructed by the Maharaja of Mysore in 1963 across the Suvarnamukhi River, primarily for irrigation purposes. The dam is named in honor of a member of the Royal family. It ranks among the smallest reservoirs in the state, built at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, and provides water to more than 7,000 hectares in the Hiriyur and Sira taluks. Additionally, the Gayatri Jalashaya tank serves as a vital water source for Chitradurga and its neighboring villages.

The dam features a rectangular design and is constructed from granite stones. It spans a total length of 1,021 meters and has a gross storage capacity of 27.63 million cubic meters. The reservoir covers a water spread area of 567 hectares, while the catchment area at the dam site .....

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