Chandragiri Fort: Exploring Palace of Vijaynagara Empire

 While Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is known as one of the world's most sacred places. It is because of the presence of God Tirupati. People travel from all over the world to seek God's blessings. In the shadow of the Great Temple, there is also a Great Palace in the Tirupati area.

Tirupati's Chandragiri Fort is one of the most beautiful and yet unexplored places in India. The Great Fort of the Vijaynagara Empire still stands tall and proudly displays the legacy of this Great Empire. The Palace reminds us of those who ruled over Tirupati's sacred land, as well as how the peaceful land was destroyed by outsiders.

The Fort itself is a charming beauty that attracts thousands of visitors. Because the Chandragiri Fort is so close to the temple, many people consider it a combined tour. The true beauty of Fort is found in its architecture.

History of Chandragiri Fort

Yadava Rayas built Chandragiri Fort in the 11th century. This King's vast kingdom ruled for more than three centuries. His fort was then taken over by the Vijayanagara rulers. It was because the Golconda Sultans attacked the original capital of the Vijayanagara rulers, Penukonda. The days of the Vijayanagara Empire were quickly over.

It flourished and spread from Raichur in Karnataka to Kanyakumari at the height of the Empire. While the empire flourished until it shrank dramatically.

The Vijayanagar empire was brought to an end by the Battle of Talikota. The Deccan Sultanate decisively defeated the great empire. They were attacked, thrashed, and defeated. The kings also lost control of the great Fort. The Deccan Sultanate annexed it.

Architecture and Exploration of the Fort

The Chandragiri Fort is one of the most beautiful forts, and its architecture will astound you. The fort has two entrances that are one kilometer apart. On each side of the gateways, there are beautifully carved pillars. The main palace is still known as the Raja Mahal, which translates to "Kings Palace." The Raja Mahal is one of the most beautiful palaces and demonstrates how skilled the artisans and craftsmen were.

Originally, there were two forts in the area. The upper and lower fortifications. The second is the Queen's Fort, also known as the Rani Mahal. Raja Mahal is now a museum containing various artifacts discovered in the surrounding area. The museum also has replicas of the fort, the main temple, and other temples in the area.

The Rani Mahal, which was previously the commandant's office of the fort, is also quite impressive. While it is a scaled-down version of the original fort, it is still one of the most exquisitely crafted forts.

The Palace was built with stones, bricks, lime without wood, and mortar. It's pretty amazing to think that such a beautiful palace has been standing for over 1000 years. The area contains eight temples, the Raja Mahal, the Rani Mahal, and other ruins.

The Chandragiri Fort was well built with meticulous planning because it was very useful in keeping the enemy at bay. While the fort has a rich history and architecture, it is not well documented by ASI. It is also not well maintained, despite its international acclaim. The fort is only maintained by a few district officials.

Chandragiri Fort Light Show Timings

	For the Telugu language	For the English language
Summer Season Timings	07:00 PM to 07:45 PM	08:00 PM to 08:45 PM
Winter season Timings	06:30 PM to 07:15 PM	07:30 PM to 08:15 PM

Best time

The Palace was built with stones, bricks, lime without wood, and mortar. It's pretty amazing to think that such a beautiful palace has been standing for over 1000 years. The area contains eight temples, the Raja Mahal, the Rani Mahal, and other ruins.

The Chandragiri Fort was well built with meticulous planning because it was very useful in keeping the enemy at bay. While the fort has a rich history and architecture, it is not well documented by ASI. It is also not well maintained, despite its international acclaim. The fort is only maintained by a few district officials.

The temperature begins to fall during the monsoon season, which lasts from July to October, making it more pleasant. Tirupati is experiencing light rain, so now is an excellent time to visit. While visiting during the monsoon season, especially in September, is the time for one of the most important festivals in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Tirupati, the Brahmotsavam.

The weather is pleasant and ideal for tours during the winter months of November to February. While the minimum temperature rarely falls below 15°C. At this time of year, the temperature is very pleasant. Instead, you would undoubtedly require some woolen clothing at night to keep warm.

How to Reach Tirupati

How to Get to Tirupati by Plane

Tirupati is served by its own airport. The airport is located in the Renigunta region. The airport is only 15 kilometers from the city center. There are frequent flights from many major Indian cities. This location is easily accessible by flight from Indian metropolises such as Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. If you're looking for a more international option. Then there's Chennai International Airport, which is nearby. The Chennai airport has good connectivity with various parts of the country and abroad.

How to Get to Tirupati by Train

Tirupati is also well served by rail. Tirupati Railway Station is the main railhead for the area. The railway station is connected to stations in Bangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Madurai, and Mumbai. To get to the fort, you could easily take a taxi or a bus.

How to Get to Tirupati by Car

Don't worry, the region's prominent transport agencies are APSRTC and KSRTC buses, which connect every part of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with Tirupati in that order. While the distance from major cities such as Bangalore is 253 km, Chennai is 158 km, and Hyderabad is only 558 km.

If you arrive at the bus station, take an autorickshaw ride to Chandragiri Fort. The auto-rickshaw ride will cost approximately Rs. 400 round trip. You'll also be relieved to know that the auto can wait for up to two hours, which I believe is sufficient time to see the sights.

So, when are you planning to embark on this epic journey to the stunning Chandragiri Fort? When you see such a beautiful place, I am sure you will be mesmerized and in awe. Please let me know when you embark on this wonderful adventure. Leave a comment about your adventure and stay there.