Tourist Spots in and Around Chitradurga

Chitradurga Fort: is one of the most magnificient forts in southern part of India and sits on the top of a hill overlooking the flat surrounding land in Chitradurga District. Its architecture is defensive in design. Seven walls encircle it, each wall has a gate with an uphill approach through twisting, turning pas sways too narrow for their attackers to use elephants or battering rams to assault the gates. Archers shot down arrows on the enemy from small embrasures in the walls of the fort. The Nayakas of Chitradurga ruled by Madakari Nayaka, used the fort effectively for defense until they were defeated by Hyder Ali in 1799. The fort remains as a monument to the Nayakas who ruled this part of central Karnataka.

Chandravalli:- Suituated at the north easterly axis of the Chitradurga hill, the Chandravalli is an ancient archaeological site. Digs revealing bricks, painted pottery and coins are traced to the Satavahana period as well as well as prehistoric times. The Basavanagondi region has the Byraveshwara Temple.

Ankali Mutt:- Nestling amongst a group of rugged hills, west of Chitradurga, this mutt is known for its subterranean chambers. Near the Panchalinga cave (Wonder cave) entrance, is an inscription dated 1286 A.D. executed in the reign of the Hoysala King Narasimha III.

Bruhanmutt:- Located about three kms from Chitradurga this mutt, also known as Sri. Murugarajendra Matt was built in honour of an eminent guru of the Veershaiva Community. The main object of worship is the Gudduge (tomb) of lmmadi Muruga Swamy.

Aadumalleshwara:- Located 5 kms. from Chitradurga, is a Shiva Cave temple built by Aadooru Mallapa. An interesting feature is a perennial stream that flows through the Nandi's ( buills) mouth.

Ingaladalu:- Two kms from Chitradurga, this village is known for its copper mines. It is believed, that ancient times gold and silver mines were here.

Thamatekallu:- Located 8 kms from Chitradurga, this place has the oldest hero stone in Karnataka. Ancient rock cut inscriptions are also found her.

Jogimatti:- Ten 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.

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.

Neerthadi:-Thirty eight kms. from Chitradurga, this village has the famous Ranganathaswamy Temple in the Vijayanagar style

Nayakanahatti:-Thirty five kms Chitradurga, this place has the temple dedicated to the sage, Thipperudraswamy. The fact that his Samadhi (tomb) is also located here makes it a popular religious center. An annual jatra (fair) takes place here during the month of Phalgun.

Vani Vilas Sagar: ( Manrikanvie ) Thirty two kms, from Chitradurga, this is an artificial lake, also called Marie Kanive, built by the Maharaja of Mysore, 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

Gayatri Jalashaya: This reservoir, was built, also by the Maharaja of Mysore built across the river Suvarnamukhi. It is a pleasant picnic spot.

Holalkere:- Thirty five kms. from Chitradurga and taluk headquarters, this was an important jain settlement in the 10th century A.D. it is also famous for its nine foot high statue of the child god Baal Antipathy, built by Gallops NAACO.

Malladihalli: Forty five kms. from Chitradurga, this new village is well known for the Raghavendra Swamy Seva Ashram that runs an orphanage, Yoga education and Ayurvedic Centre.

Ramagiri: This palce is known for the Veerabhadraswamy temple and the Karisiddeshwara Mutt, built on a hillock.

Doddahotterangappa's hill: The Ranganathaswamy temple is situated on top of a hill. Climbing the steep hill can be a delight for trekkers

Halurameshwar: Local lore has it that once wishes can be fulfilled and once future predicted by looking into the well, " Udbavagange ", which makes it a popular place for visitors. Called as " Varava Koduva Bhavi ".

Jankal: This is the birth place of the Chitradurga's last chieftain, Madakari Nayaka.

Bagooru: Seventy kms. from Chitradurga, this place is known for the ancient Chennakeshava temple.

Heggere: The Jain monastery, located here and the Kalleshwara temple are the attractions.

Dasaratha Rameshwara: This is a peaceful religious center, in the midst of a picturesque forest area.

Molakalmuru:- About 80 kms. from Chitradurga, this town is renowned for its hand woven silk textiles. Kugo Bande, or Shouting Rock, is a huge rock, where you can experience your voice resounding as an echo.

Nunke Malae:- This is a small hillock, covered with lush vegetation, with a ancient temple of Byraveshwara.

Brahmagiri:- 63 kms. from Chitradurga, this village is famous on account of Emperor Ashoka's earliest rock edicts in the Brahmi script and Prakrit language dating to the 3rd century B.C. it is also the ancient site of Ishila, one of Ashoka's provincial capitals.

Ashoka Siddapura: About forty kms. from Bharamagiri, this is an importantarch aneological site where Ashoka's edicts have been found. Nearby, there is a hillock, known as Ramagiri. Myth has it that when Ravana was abducting Sita to Lanka, the legendary eagle, Jatayu made a heroic sruggle to save here, but lost his life in the ensuing fight. Thereafter, Rama performed its last rites and installed a Shiva performed its last rites and installed a Shiva linga on the spot. The place was henceforth called Jattinga Rameshwara Linga and a temple dedicated to Rameshwara built in 926 A.D. exists.

Halurameshwar: Local lore has it that one's wishes can be fulfilled and once future predicted by looking into the well, " Udbavagange ", which makes it a popular place for visitors. Called as " Varava Koduva Bhavi ".

Jankal: This is the birth place of the Chitradurga's last chieftain, Madakari Nayaka.

Bagooru: Seventy kms. from Chitradurga, this place is known for the ancient Chennakeshava temple.

Heggere: The Jain monastery, located here and the Kalleshwara temple are the attractions.

Dasaratha Rameshwara: This is a peaceful religious center, in the midst of a picturesque forest area.