We had an eventful election in Kadappa. Living up to its hard earned reputation, Kadappa did offer those stray incidents of violence and breaking up of the Electronic Voting Machines. So, that meant we had to stay a little longer to complete the fresh poll process. We were mentally prepared to have Repoll on 25th and then move back to homes on 26th. The ECI decided otherwise. They fixed date of repoll on 26th holding us for one additional day and at the same time effectively giving us one free day on 25th.
And that's how we planned more excursions in to Rayalseema heartland. The explorations in Kadappa had been eye openers and were contrary to our perception with which we had arrived. We had visualized a dry district which would suffer from prolonged spells of scarcity. However, what we have seen is a district, most parts of which are busy reaping third crop. Well laid out canal irrigation system seemed to be hallmark of the district.
Back to sojourn of 26th, we decided to visit Gandikota fort and thereafter if time permitted, to visit Belum caves. The literature provided by the district administration had mentioned Gandikota fort as historically site built around A.D.1122. It derived its name from "Gandi" meaning Gorges and "Kota" meaning Fort. It is located about 75 kms from Kadappa towards Jammalmadugu and on the bank of river Pennar. Entirely a stone masonary fort built upon a hill along the natural george formation along river Pennar, the construction began in A.D. 1122 and then improvements and additions continued throughout upto 17th century AD. According to Kaiifiyat, a certain Kakaraja is credited with constructing the fort, palace and residential units inside.
The fort has a huge entrance gate of 20 feet high and 101 bastions each over 40 feet high. The front gate is made up of wood and is armored with iron plates. (Probably Indians were experts in use of metal, mechanical instruments like rope, pulleys, wooden rollers till the beginning of 13th century AD, but there after lack of focus on research meant that it stagnated there and European countries took lead in navigation and scientific leading to colonization of so many countries between 18th and middle of 20th century).
Within the fort, there are many interesting places worth seeing. The Ranganatha and Madhava Swamy temples were built during the 15th and 16th centuries are adorned with sculptures of style reminiscent of style of Vijayanagaram emperor. The amazing stone masonry carries trademark pillars with sculptures of a rider riding a lion which is sitting on top of elephant head. It conveyed a message that the ruler not only contains and controlled the mighty like the elephant, but also like the lion. Another interesting sculpture presents view of an ox from one side and elephant from the other side.
There is a large granery which could store food for over two years' requirement. The granery almost 25 feet high had small windows resembling ventillations near top and only one door for the netry. Normally the pheasants were charged 25% of their grains as tax and that was stored from the top into the granery. That ensured that except for those concerned with affairs of granery, no body had any idea of total storage and that helped in keeping the enemy guessing. Ofcourse there after many windows and large entrance gate were added and the granery was converted in to a guest house for visit of company representative (During British rule). Currently there is a marvellous sculpture of Lord Laxman in intact position found during excavation near the river.
Then there are an impressive pigeon tower a palace with plastered decorations, Jumma masjid with towering minerats ensconing a large area(consturcted around 1650 AD) and Rayal Cheruvu with perenial springs, ruins of palace, intact stables and residential rooms for visitors and open air theatre cum wrestling ground for kings' wrestlers. It is said that during Krishnadev rai's time, a strong army of 85000 soldiers used to guard this fort.
The surrounding site with natural deep gorges along the river Pennar and its dark green calm water, Mylavaram dam and surroundign hills offer feast to the eyes.
The fort has a huge entrance gate of 20 feet high and 101 bastions each over 40 feet high. The front gate is made up of wood and is armored with iron plates. (Probably Indians were experts in use of metal, mechanical instruments like rope, pulleys, wooden rollers till the beginning of 13th century AD, but there after lack of focus on research meant that it stagnated there and European countries took lead in navigation and scientific leading to colonization of so many countries between 18th and middle of 20th century).
Within the fort, there are many interesting places worth seeing. The Ranganatha and Madhava Swamy temples were built during the 15th and 16th centuries are adorned with sculptures of style reminiscent of style of Vijayanagaram emperor. The amazing stone masonry carries trademark pillars with sculptures of a rider riding a lion which is sitting on top of elephant head. It conveyed a message that the ruler not only contains and controlled the mighty like the elephant, but also like the lion. Another interesting sculpture presents view of an ox from one side and elephant from the other side.
There is a large granery which could store food for over two years' requirement. The granery almost 25 feet high had small windows resembling ventillations near top and only one door for the netry. Normally the pheasants were charged 25% of their grains as tax and that was stored from the top into the granery. That ensured that except for those concerned with affairs of granery, no body had any idea of total storage and that helped in keeping the enemy guessing. Ofcourse there after many windows and large entrance gate were added and the granery was converted in to a guest house for visit of company representative (During British rule). Currently there is a marvellous sculpture of Lord Laxman in intact position found during excavation near the river.
Then there are an impressive pigeon tower a palace with plastered decorations, Jumma masjid with towering minerats ensconing a large area(consturcted around 1650 AD) and Rayal Cheruvu with perenial springs, ruins of palace, intact stables and residential rooms for visitors and open air theatre cum wrestling ground for kings' wrestlers. It is said that during Krishnadev rai's time, a strong army of 85000 soldiers used to guard this fort.
The surrounding site with natural deep gorges along the river Pennar and its dark green calm water, Mylavaram dam and surroundign hills offer feast to the eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment