Chitradurga - The Fort of Seven Circles

It was the wedding ceremony of RangeGowda, one of my best university friends, who I hadn’t seen for at least about a few years after our graduation from the university because we were busy with our professional lives. So, when I received an invitation from RangeGowda to attend his marriage, I felt really happy and excited, not only because it would allow me to witness one of the happiest days of my friend’s life, but also because I could finally meet him after a long time.

Anyway, the wedding was to take place at Shivamogga in the home town of bride, so keeping this on mind. I had planned a ride to explore Chitradurga, the home town of my friend. It would be great, if i could go before take part in their marriage ceremony and lend a hand to it. My friend was awaiting for my arrival, he was very much excited to see me traveling so far on my motorcycle. His family members were happy and generous. So as i told my friend, let me explore some nearby places and then will come for his marriage to Shivamogga. Started off  from a ride to Vani Vilasa Sagara, popularly known as Marikanive. 

Back Waters of Marikanive

Mari Kanive is a dam in Hiriyur Taluk, located about 20 km south-western to Hiriyur and 180 km north-westerly to Bangalore. The dam was built the Mysore Maharajas pre-independence across the river Vedavathi. Vani Vilasa Sagara is the oldest dam in the state. The project was started by Queen Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana who was a widow of Maharaja Chamaraaja Wadiyar. The tourists who visit Chitradurga and Hosadurga often visit Mari Kanive on the way. The historic MaariKamba temple here also attracts many tourists. When the villagers couldn't build the dam due to heavy flow of water and rain. They all prayed to MaariKamba and its is believed that Maarikamba had stopped the flow of water by stamping her feet across river to create a barrier. Hence there is a temple dedicated to Maarikamba and believed people who visit this temple are relieved from their problems. Travelers who like to explore, can visit Harakanive, the backwaters of the Marikanive.

The next day morning after a good breakfast from my friend Mom, had been riding to Chitradurga Fort. The stone fortress built with boulders and sedimentary rocks. The fort was build in stages between the 11th and 13th century by the Chalukyas and Hoysalas, later the Nayakas of Chitradurga fo the Vijayanagar Empire. The Nayakas of Chitradurga or Palegar Nayakas, were most responsible for the expansion of the fort between the 15th and 18th centuries. The fort was taken over by Hyder Ali at Chitradurga in 1779. The fort was captured by the British forces twenty years later when they defeated Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatna, else the British could never captured this fort. 

The fort's name Chitrakaldurga, which means 'picturesque fort' in Kannada, is the namesake of the town Chitradurga. It is also locally known as "Kallina Kote" which means Stone Fortress. The fort is built is a series of seven concentric fortification walls with various passages, warehouses for materials, water reservoirs and ancient temples. The soaring ramparts are hewn from rock complement the craggy landscape and were designed so that each line of fortification overlooks others below. Zigzagging pathways slowed down enemy soldiers and prevented the use of battering rams. The doors of the main gateways were in additon, bristling with iron spikes to ward off elephants. 

Chitradurga fort is famed for it sophisticated water harvesting system. Interconnected reservoirs collected and stored rainwater, which overflew from each tank flowing into other tanks below it. Such an effective system ensured that the fort never ran out of water. After filling all these tanks, the water used to flow to the moats around the fort-walls. 

The fort has almost 20 temples like the Sampige Siddeshwara, Hidimbeshwara, Ekanathamma, Phalguneshwara, Gopalakrishna, Anjaneya and Basava. Among these, Hidimbeshwara temple is the oldest and most interesting. Chitradurga fort is also supposed to be the place of Hidimba Rakshasa of Mahabharata epic.

 

 

A must see in the fort is the Onake Obbavana Kindi, named after a brave woman Obavva. It is connected with the famous attack of Hyder Ali on Chitradurga. Hyder's forces were unable to enter into the fort, in spite of a long siege. They soon found a small crevice which they could get into the fort. It was a very narrow crevice, hardly admitting a human being in a kneeling position. Obavva hid there and saw the enemy trying to get inside. Displaying remarkable courage, she grabbed onake (a pestle) and killed each soldier getting inside. 

Tired and hungry, was in bad need of good place to relax and fill stomach. There was a canteen inside the fort to fulfill my hunger and thirst. After a heavy lunch, Kothiraja - self-taught rock climber known as Karnatak's  'Spiderman' was ready to climb the wall with just bare hands. Kothiraja has shinned up and down the Jog Falls 11 times so far. His climbing tricks using the bare hands and with no safety apparatus gave him the moniker 'Kothi' (monkey). Everyone applauded the his rock climbing skills and it was a miracle to watch his talent. Took a selfie with him, a moment to cherish with great persons like this. Riding back to city of work, with the Sun downing for the day. There comes the end of the one of the best day of my life, which fades into my memory and rings in my ears as "Chitrdurga Kallina Kote".

The wedding took place at a Samudhaya Bhavan in the home town of  bride, which was magnificently decorated with a great colour scheme by matching it with the bride’s wedding dress and flowers. However, the marriage ceremony was rather brief which was conducted according to the Hindu religious practices. 

 

  
Anyway, it was a special wedding ceremony for me because one of my best friend is no more a bachelor and embarked his journey as couple.

 

 'Best wishes on this wonderful journey, as you build your new lives together '. 

 

 

 

" Fuel your Wanderlust"