CHITRADURGA
Chitradurga derives its name from Chitrakaldurga. It is located at a distance of 202 kms Northwest of Bangalore. History dates Chitradurga District to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Located at the base of a chain of lofty peaks, Chitradurga is characterized by its stunning boulder-strewn landscape. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra river flowing in the Northwest.

History

According to a story in the epic Mahabharatha, a man-eating giant named Hidimbasura lived on the Chitradurga hills. He was a terror to everyone there. When Pandavas were on a exile, Bhima and the giant had a war and he killed Hidimbasura. Peace was bought to the entire region. The boulders there were used as part of the arsenal. The city rests on boulders which are the oldest rock formation in the country.

Battle with Hyder Ali, Legend of Obavva

During the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the city of Chitradurga was besieged by the troops of Hyder Ali. By chance the they sight a woman entering the Chitradura Fort through a hole in the rocks. Hyder Ali and his men cut out a clever plan by sending soldiers through the hole. During this time the guard who was guarding the hole was out for lunch as usual his wife was guarding till he came back from lunch.

The wife of that guard, Obavva while in her temporary seat, noticed the soldiers emerging out of this crack, Obavva was not perturbed. As she was carrying with her, the Onake (a wooden long club meant for pounding paddy grains) she killed and quietly moved the dead, so that hundreds of them entered and fell, without raising any suspicion. The guard, Obavva's husband, after he returned from his lunch was shocked to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies of the enemy fleet around her.

The passage still remains as a historical witness for the story, beside the Tanniru Doni -a small water source which holds cold water all round the year. Though her sincere brave attempt saved the fort this time, Madakeri could not resist the attack of 1799 by Hyder Ali. The fort of Chitradurga was lost for Hyder Ali once for all.

The government has decided to setup a science city in Chitradurga. With Obavva's backing, the science city is bound to do well !

Tourist Attractions

Chitradurga Fort is renowned for its Kallina Kote / Ukinna kote / Yelu Suttina kote which was built in parts by the Palegar Veer "Madakari Nayaka"

The old walled Town houses the impressive fort, built on the north eastern base of a cluster of rocky hills, qualifying it to be a Giridurga, or hill fortress. Though the construction of this fort commenced during 10th Century A.D it was completed only in 18th Century A.D during the rule of Palegars, with the latest additions being in the years leading to the 19th century, during the reign of Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan.

The fort is fortified by seven circular walls, three of which are on the ground and four on the hill. Chitradurga fort is said to have had 19 majestic doors, 38 smaller doors, 35 special entry points and four secret entrances. The fort is entered through four gateways of the outermost wall. The foothills of the fort constitute the main residential area of the town. The Mel Durgas, forts on the hill are embellished with extensive fortifications, ramparts, bastions, batteries, watchtowers and entrances located at strategic points and house fourteen temples. Some of the fort’s important landmarks are Thuppada Kola Betta, Hidimbagiri, Zadaa Battery (Flag battery), Kahale Battery (Trumpet battery), Lal Battery (Red battery) and Nellikai Battery (Gooseberry battery). The main entrance to the fort, Kamanbhavi, has carvings of the seven – hooded cobra the legendary twin headed bird, Gandaberunda, the royal swan, Rajhamsa and lotus flowers.

There is ample scope for trekking, rock climbing and even a bit of mountaineering or just plain hiking. A whole day would be hardly enough too take in the beauty and splendour of Chitradurga Fort.

Murugha Rajendra Bruhanmatha The first Murugha Rajendra Mutta at Chitradurga was built on the Chinmuladri hills by Palegar Bichugatti Bharamanna Nayaka for Guru Shanthaveera Swamiji of the 8th Pontiff of Murugha tradition. Later it was shifted to the present mutt in 1703 AD which is situated at the left side of Chitradurga - Davanagere road near M.K. Hatti. Now the 27th Pontiff of the order Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Rajendra Sharanaru presides over the mutt. The mutt is engaged in propagating Basavadharma. The Murugha Vana in the premises of the mutt is a beautiful botanical garden.

Jogimatti 10 kms south of Chitradurga is this hill resort, situated at a height of 3803 ft. (The highest point in the district). The place is named after a yogi, who was well known for his social service. Himavatkedra, a waterfall that flows through the rocks, has created a natural cave, that has a Shiva Linga and idols of Veerabhadra and Basavanna.

Taralabalu Mata Sirigere Located northwest of Chitradurga, Sirigere is well known for the Veershaiva Mutt of Taralabalu Jagadguru. The monastery is noted for the educational and religious centers run by them.Sirigere is situated on the Poona- Bangalore National Highway (NH4). It is at distance of 227 KM from Bangalore and is located between Chitradurga (27 KM), the District Head Quarters, and Davangere (50 KM).

Vani Vilas Sagar Dam (Manrikanvie) 32 kms from Chitradurga, this is an artificial lake, also called Mari Kanive, built by the Maharaja of Mysore Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV built across the river Vedavathi. Measuring 162 ft by 1300 ft this reservoir has two mantapa (pavilion halls) built in the saracenic style and is considered an engineering marvel.Recently though, the development work undertaken by the forest department to restore the nearby forest cover, and the 'panchavati' gardens - a garden of medicinal plants with the old Indian cultural theme has improved the tourist figures, making it a popular weekend picnic spot. The 'panchavati' garden has medicinal plants lined up representing cultural themes - the 'Rashis', 'Sapta swaras', 'Nava grahas' and many more.

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.

Ankali Math The ancient monastery of Ankali Math is also called Paradeshappana Guhe. A number of caves, located underneath the Kallu Mantapa (stone sanctum) of this mutt, might have served as refuges for monks and mendicants indulged in penance and praying.

Chandravalli A tour of Chitradurga will take you to the scenic valley of Chandravalli located to the north west of Chitradurga. Chandravalli is an ancient archeological site and coins, inscriptions, ruins, stone images belonging to the Hoisala-Kadamb and Sathavahana period have been discovered at Huligondi, Basavanagondi, Baralagondi and other locations of Chandravalli. A rock inscription seen near Bhairaweshvara temple here links Chandravalli to the reign of Kadamba Mayura Verma.