Chitradurga (also known locally as Durga) is a city and the headquarters of Chitradurga district which is located on the valley of the Vedavati river in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka.[2] It is located about 200 km from the state capital Bengaluru.
Chitradurga city is well connected to Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru,
Davanagere, Hubballi, Hospet, Bellary, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Vijayapura,
Belagavi by Bus through KSRTC.
Planning done for the road trip at 9am. We left from HSR, Bangalore at sharp 10am via Nice/Tumkur Road. Paid Nice road toll 180rs at 10:25am. By 12:17 am we reached Chokanahalli(Tumkur) toll booth. Had Breakfast in Sree Ratnam Resturant Food was good there. After that another 2 toll gates at 12:58pm and another at 1:49pm crossed. Finally reached Chitradurga Fort at 2:30pm.
We hired one guide to better understand about the history of Fort. Cost was 500rs for 2hrs time. But trust me it was super worth. Guide was with us about 2 hrs.
History of Chitradurga Fort
Chitradurga features bold rock hills
and picturesque valleys, huge towering boulders in numerous shapes. According
to the epic Mahabharatha, it is confirmed about this story
that a Rakshasa named Hidimba
and his sister Hidimbi lived on the hill. Hidimba was a source
of terror to everyone around while Hidimbi was a peace-loving rakshasa. When
the Pandavas
came there in the course of their exile, Bhima
had a duel with Hidimba in which Hidimba was killed. Thereafter Bhima married Hidimbi and they had a son named Ghatotkacha. The boulders on which major part of the
city rests belong to the oldest rock formation in the country. In one single
boulder Ganesha statue was crafted. There are so many boulders around. We saw the pond where ladies were having bath. There are 2 temples also on top of the hill. one big pond was there from which they are collecting drinking water.
Excerpts from Wikipedia
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The Way in which Hhyder Ali's Soilders Came to Attack
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There are so many stories behind the
fort. Each Area you go inside, you will one story for that. We met monkey man
also who climbs the wall like monkey. As it is very dangerous still the man
goes with all the hope and perform very actively. We are happy to see his
effort and appreciated him with some money. Took pics with and wished him for
his upcoming international performances which he announced to the audiences.
Onake
Obavva
During the reign of Madakari Nayaka,
(He was the last ruler of Chitradurga) the town of Chitradurga was besieged by
the troops of Hyder Ali. A chance sighting of a
woman entering the Chitradurga fort through an opening in the rocks led to a
clever plan by Hyder Ali to send his soldiers through the hole.
The guard on duty near that hole had gone home for lunch. The wife of that
guard, Obavva was passing by the hole to collect water, when she noticed
soldiers emerging out of this opening. She was carrying with her an Onake (a
long wooden club meant for pounding paddy grains). She killed Hyder Ali's
soldiers one by one as they attempted to enter the fort through the opening and
quietly moved the dead. Over a short period of time hundreds of soldiers
entered and fell, Obavva's husband, upon his return from his lunch was shocked
to see Obavva standing with a blood stained Onake and hundreds of dead bodies
of the enemy around her. Together both wife and husband beat up most of the
soldiers. But as both of them were about to finish off all the soldiers of
Hyder Ali, Obavva dies. The opening in the rocks still remains as a historical
witness for the story. Though her brave attempt saved the fort on that
occasion, Madakari Nayaka could not repel Hyder Ali's attack in 1779. In the
ensuing battle, the fort of Chitradurga was lost to Hyder Ali. Obavva remains a
legend, especially to the women of Karnataka.
From Wikipedia
It was drizzling whole day there and by 5:30pm it started heavily. 6pm we came out from the Fort.
7:10pm - Had Snacks in upadhay Veg
7:30pm: Started for Bangalore
8:40pm: Dinner at Sadananda Punjabi Dhaba
11:45pm: Reached Home
It was very exciting place. I wish to travel again there to enjoy each part of the place. As every corner has some story and it is very big that you need 2 days at least to see properly.
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