Gandikota

Gandikota is a small village and ruined stronghold in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa district at about 230 metres elevation, roughly 300 kilometres south west of Hyderabad. The Hyderabad to Gandikota drive takes around six to seven hours and leads to one of India’s most dramatic landscapes. Perched on the edge of a 300 foot deep gorge carved by the Pennar river through the Erramala Hills, the striking red sandstone cliffs have earned the name Gandikota canyon and the popular title Grand Canyon of India. The 13th century Gandikota fort, originally built by the Chalukyas and later expanded by the Vijayanagara Empire, stands dramatically along the gorge rim. Inside the sprawling complex are temples, granaries, royal quarters, a mosque, and the Jamia Masjid in varying states of preservation. Facilities remain basic, with limited accommodation and options for Gandikota camping, which adds to its raw atmosphere. The short Gandikota distance of 25 kilometres to Belum Caves makes it an ideal two day circuit.