Historical

Old palace, also known as Gagan Mahal, is located in an erstwhile capital city Anegondi near Hampi. Anegondi, tiny kingdom has grown eventually to the Vijayanagar Empire ruling the entire South India.

Gagan Mahal is a small old palace building and might be served as the center of Anegondi kingdom. It is surrounded with a big fort. The fort, along with the old palace, is in ruins presently. The remains of this ruined palace are very interesting. The atmosphere of this place is stimulating for the history lovers.

Most tourists ask a question when they visit a destination, what can I get from here to remember the visit for ever and ever? If somebody asks this in Hampi, the answer is very simple. Go the banks of Thungabhadra river, have a ride in the Coracles also known as Dongi. One can impressively see some stunning rock forms generated by wearing away over the years.

Sadashivgad is a small village across the Kali River, once a known trade centre, ruled by the erstwhile kings of Kadambas and the Marathas; and later by the Portugese and the British.

An abandoned fort, assumed to be built in 1698 by Raja Sonde, on a hill top of 200-ft-high, which affords an eyeful of nature’s beauty, and a Durga Devi temple attracts many people. The Durga temple, assumed to be built in 1665 AD and visited by Shivaji at the Dargah of Karimuddin Ghouse Jilani, is highly attractive and has an archaeological value.

Built in 1792 AD by Dodda Veerarajendra, this beautiful palace is close to Tadiyendamol. To get here, you have to travel 32 kms from Madikeri through Napoklu and Kakkabbe. Buses too, are available.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

An extensive piece of work, the Gulbarga fort was originally built by Raja Gulchand and afterwards strengthened by Ala-Ud-Din Bahmani. The fort with its 15 towers and 26 guns has witnessed many a battle and suffered many an onslaught. Razed to the ground by Krishna Devaraya of Vijaynagar, it rose like a phoenix when Adil Shah undertook its repair with booty captured from Vijaynagar.

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