Chitradurga District, Karnataka

Location: Chitradurga district is located little below the center of Karnataka. It shares boundary with Chikmangalur district in the south and south-west, Davanagere district in the west, Bellary district in the north, Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh in the east and Tumkur district in the south.

District Headquarter: Chitradurga

Distance: Around 202 km from Bangalore, 128 km from Bellary, 301 km from Belgaum, 506 km from Gulburga, 136 km from Hassan, 207 km from Hubli, 296 km from Mangalore, 251 km from Mysore

Journey time: 4 – 5 hrs by bus, 5 hrs by train.

How to reach there:KSRTC bus from Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka. Private bus, hired vehicle and train.

Route: Bangalore – Tumkur – Sira – Hiriyur – Chitradurga

Where to stay:

1. Hotel Amogha International
Santha Honda Road
Chitradurga, Karnataka – 577501
Ph: 08194-222762,220762,220763
Mobile: +91-9243-205657
Email: info@amoghachitradurga.com
Website: http://www.amoghachitradurga.com/

2. Hotel Naveen regency
NH 4 Bypass, Near R.T.O
Chitradurga Dist.
Karnataka – 577501
Ph: 08194-31088, 30052

3. Nandini Deluxe Lodge
Pune-Bangalore Road
Main Road, Harihar
Chitradurga
Karnataka – 577501

4. Veda Comforts Hotel
Opposite Vidyanagar Extn.
M H Gate, NH 4, Chitradurga
Karnataka – 577502
Ph: 08194-27393

5. Mayura Deluxe Lodge
Samthe Bagilu Road
Chitradurga
Karnataka – 577501
Ph: 08194-24448, 25244

6. Hotel Aishwarya Fort
Infront of RTO Office,
Near NH-4 Bypass,
Turuvanur Road,
Chitradurga – 577501.

7. Sree Udupi Yatrinivas
NH 4, Vidya Nagar,
Chitradurga – 577 501
Ph: 08194-28366

Where to eat: You can eat at the restaurants of the above hotels if available or eat at local eateries.

Language spoken: Kannada. Hindi and English may be understood in Urban areas. Urdu and Telugu also spoken in border areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Ctitradurga derived its name from the world “Chitrakaladurga” – the beautiful fort of Chitradurga. History can be traced back to 3rd century BC and it was found that Chitradurga was a part of Mayuran empire of Ashoka. A rock edict in this regard has been found near Bharamagiri. Chitradurga has been ruled by almost all prominent dynasties of Deccan like Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Empire, Hyder Ali/Tipu Sultan and Mysore Wodeyer kings.

Since the time of Vijaynagara empire, Chitradurga was ruled by Nayaka dynasty as a feudatory of Vijaynagara rulers. Nayakas or Paleyars continued their rule until Chitradurga was captured by Hyder Ali in 1779.

What to see:

1. Chitradurga Fort: Chitradurga fort is one of the best fort built in India in terms of beauty, strength and architecture. Chitradurga fort was built by Nayakas during the Vijaynagara empire times and is also known by the names Kallina Kote or Ukinna kote or Yelu Suttina kote. The fort has a series of 7 protection walls, 3 at the foot hills and 4 on the hills. The fort has many ancient temples, a palace, a mosque, water tanks, secret chambers, numerous entrances etc.

The fort was captured by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1779. The fort is also associated with the legend of Onake Obavva. A chance sighting of a women entering the fort through a crack in the rock. Hyder Ali asked his Soldiers to do the same. The gaurd at that point had gone for lunch asking his wife Obavva to be there. Obavva on seeing Soldiers of Hyder Ali entering the crack hole, used her Onake ( a heavy wood used to grind paddy) to kill the soldiers one by one and moved their body to avoid suspicion. This a become a folklore in karnataka.

2. Taralabalu Mata Sirigere: Sri Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmath is a Hindu missionary organization located in Sirigere. They run numerous educational organizations and provide free education for many poor. It was founded by saint “Marulasiddha” during 12th century AD. It is located around 27 km from Chitradurga, 50 km from Davanagere and 227 km from Bangalore. There is a guest house for visitors to stay.

Website: http://www.taralabalu.org/

3. Siddapura: Siddapura also know as Ashoka Siddapura gained importance due to emperor Ashoka’s edits found here. Nearby is Ramagiri, a hillock that has mythical associations with the epic Ramayana. Legend says the Jatayu (Eagle) fought with Ravana here while Ravana was trying to Kidnap Sita. A temple dedicated to Rameshwara built in 926 CE. exists here. Ashoka Siddapura is located around 40 km from Brahmagiri.

4. Brahmagiri: Brahmagiri village is the ancient site of Ishila, one of emperor Ashoka’s provincial capitals. His earliest rock edicts in Brahmi script and Prakrit language (3rd c. BC) containing Kannada words were discovered here. It is located around 63 km from Chitradurga.

5. Chandravalli: Chandravalli is an ancient archaeological site where painted pottery and coins from the Shatavahana empire and prehistoric times were discovered. The rock inscription of king Mayurasharma dated 450CE. discovered here gave historians much information about Karnataka’s first Kannada kingdom. Nearby is the Byraveshwara Temple. One can also see the Chandravalli lake.

6. Hiriyur: Hiriyur situated on the right bank of Vedavathi river is famous for Therumalleshawara temple. The temple has impressive lofty gopura and the ceiling of the main hall is painted with scenes from the Shivapurana and Ramayana.

7. Jogimatti Hill Station: Jogimatti was built by the British around the year 1930. Located around 10 km from Chitradurga town, Jogimatti is a reserved forest on lofty hills. Apart from animals one can see Himavatkedra water falls. Prior permission is required from forest department to visit here.

8. Neerthadi: Neerthadi is located around 38 km from Chitradurga town and is popular for Ranganathaswamy temple built in Vijayanagar style.

9. Vani Vilas Sagar: Vani Vilas Sagar is a dam built across river Vedavathi (a tributary of river Tungabhadra) by the Mysore Maharaja. It is the first dam to be built in Karnataka in the year 1907. Vani Vilas Sagar also know as Maari Kanive is located near Huriyar around 40 km from Chitradurga.

10. Murugarajendra Matha: It is a nice ashram in Chitradurga with lush green garden and a zoo. One can see imported birds here.

11. Molakalmuru: Molakalmuru is famous for silk weaving. One can also experience a rock here, which echos sound back. In Kannada called Kugo bande or shouting rock. One can also see some fortified building of Kadamba rulers.

12. Gayatri Jalashaya: Gayatri Jalashaya is a water reservoir built across river Suvarnamukhi by Mysore king. It is nice picnic spot.

13. Ankali Mutt: This cave temple is located on terrain ed hills is multi underground chambered and is a Hoysala architecture.

14: Doddahottrangappa Hill: This hill popular with trekkers and one can see the Ranganathaswamy temple on top and surrounding panaromic view.

Some other places of interest may be Halurameshwar, Jankal, Bagooru, Heggere, Malladihalli, Thamatekallu, Holalkere, Halu Rameshwara near Hosadurgaand Dasaratha Rameshwara.