Chitradurga

Chitradurga Charms

Chitradurga, situated along the Pune-Bangalore highway, is also known as ‘Kallina Kote’ or the ‘stone fortress.’ Rocky hills and boulders, some of which are reputed to be the oldest formations in the country, characterize the landscape of this town, situated along the banks of the Thungabhadra River.

The name Chitradurga itself is said to be derived from ‘Chitrakaldurga’, one of the hills here, which is shaped like an umbrella. Chitradurga has references in the Ramayana and Mahabharatha (Hindu epics). Legend goes that the area was once terrorized by a demon named Hidimbasura. The Pandavas happened to come across the place during their period of exile. Hidimbasura entered into a duel with Bhima and was slain in the process, thus ushering in an era of peace. The rock formations here are supposed to be remnants of that fight.

Chitradurga was under the rule of the Nayak Paleyagars, the most prominent of whom was the Madhakari Nayaka. It was due to its strategic location from the military point of view that forts were built here. It was soon annexed by Hyder Ali, who was responsible for building part of the fort.