Travel: Gandikota, the Grand Canyon of India

Here is an interesting article by my friend SoorYa in his blog on Gandikota, the grand canyon of India.

Gandikota is a small village on the right bank of the river Penneru, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India.The Gandikota fort acquired its name due to the 'gorge' (in Telugu it is called 'gandi' and fort is called as ‘kota’), formed between the Erramala range of hills, also known as Gandikota hills and the river Penneru at its foot, reducing its width to a mere 300 ft. Situated amidst beautiful landscape and wild forests, it is endowed with vast natural resources. Surrounded by a deep valley and impassable hills, with massive boulders of red granite and the river Penneru that flows about 300 ft. below on the west and northern sides, its location affords strong natural defense to the occupants of the Fort and was impregnable.Gandikota was founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana. It played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. The fort was made more impregnable by Pemmasani Thimma Nayudu. The fort was under the control of Pemmasani Nayaks for over 300 years.

How to reach? Where to stay? Food options? Read the article by my friend SoorYa in his blog on Gandikota, the grand canyon of India. Nice read, go on.