The
visit to this Shri Madhavaraya Swamy Temple, Gandilkota Fort, Andhra
Pradesh, was a part of “Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Heritage walk”, from 25th
to 28th December 2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.
This
Gandikota Fort, on the banks of Penna
River, is enclosed with ancient buildings, stone structures, Hindu Temples,
Masjid, Islamic structures, etc., in YSR District (Yeduguri
Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy and formerly known
as Kadapa District), of Andhra Pradesh.
HISTORY
This
place, Gandikota, derives its name from the Telugu word “Gandi,” which means a
“Gorge” and “Kota,” a fort. This strong fort is built on top of a gorge of the
River Pennar in a scenic spot; the place and the fort are known as
Gandikota. Legends record that the fort was first built by a Kapa Maharaja
in the 12th century CE. Recorded history begins with the Kakatiyas during the 13th
Century CE. The fort came under the possession of the Vijayanagara rulers and
Bukka I, who strengthened it. The temples within the fort were built by them. This
Shri Madhavaraya Swamy Temple is one of the Vishnu temples built by the
Vijayanagara Empire inside the Gandikota Fort.
It
is said that one of the inscriptions of the 16th-century Vijayanagara period states that several individuals, including a man named Papa Timmaraju, offered
gifts to the god Madhavaraya Swamy ("Lord Krishna") and a garland
(tomala).
This
temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram without sigaram and kalasa. The
kalkaram or the adi tala has beautiful sculptures, like Venugopala, Surya,
Vishnu, Lakshmi, Ganapati, and Yoga Narasimha. The central pillars on the sides
of the passage have with vyyala riders and Ganga and Yamuna kodipenkal. The decorative
motifs, including the lotus medallion at the centre, tortoise, fish, and lizards, are on the Rajagopuram passage. The 4 tiers above the adi tala/ kalkaram were built with
bricks.
The
temple consists of sanctum santorum, antarala, ardha mandapam/ Navaranga
mandapa, and open mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the entrance, and the Gajalashmi bas-relief is on the top of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum
is square in shape on a kapota bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta
kumudam, and kapotam. The bhitti starts with vedika. There are no pilasters or
deve koshtas on the bhitti. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasi
kudus. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to the
prastaram. The sanctum sanctorum is without vimanam.
Two
more sannidhis are on the south and north sides of the Navaranga mandapa. Since
the sannidhis are empty without images, for what the sannidhis are built is not
known. The mukha mandapa pillars are with yazhi riders and intricately carved sculptures.
The uthram / beam of the mandapa has the sculptures of dancers, Vaishnava
deities, etc.
Parivara
sannidhis, Kalyana mandapa, and mada palli are built in the praharam Corridor / one tala
Thiruchutru maligai. The kalyana mandapa and parivara sannidhis are standing
only with pillars without a ceiling.
Kalyana mandapa
Corridor / one tala Thiruchutru maligai
VISITING
HOURS
The
temple visiting time will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs. The
entry will be closed at 17.30 hrs.
HOW
TO REACH
Gantikota
in YSR District in Andhra Pradesh is 15 km from Jammalamadugu, 62 km from Belum
Caves, 88 km from Tadipatri, and 92 km from Kadapa, the capital City of YSR
District.
The
nearest Railway Station is Jammalamadugu.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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