Kondaveedu Fort — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

Kondaveedu is the largest hill fort in present Andhra Pradesh state, situated about 27 kms southwest of Guntur city. This fort is in the Kondaveedu hills range. Prolayavemareddy started construction of an impregnable fort at Kondaveedu in about 1335 AD, later his son Anavotha Reddy completed and shifted his capital from Addanki to Kondaveedu in the year 1355 AD. At present, there are so many monuments, though they may be small, but they are of immense historical and cultural value. Kondaveedu fort commands a picturesque view from Nemmalla buruju(bastion), south of Nemmala buruju hills sprawling over three kilometers up to NH5 with green forest. Apart from Nemmalla buruju there are 22 buruju’s, some of which are Tara buruju or Chukkala konda buruju, Jetty buruju, A.Ramanal buruju, Sajjamahal buruju, B.khilla buruju, Miriala chattu buruju, Pamu kuduru buruju, Allavari buruju. These bastions are built on hillocks connecting with a long chain of wall. Of all the Bastions Taraburuju is most impressive eye catching and an icon of Kondaveedu fort. As we know, that Kondaveedu fort was built in hills which are more or less in an oval shape. By being laid a ghat road to this fort, easy access is now available, with this Kondaveedu is going to be a popular holiday destination. It is famous for lakes, forest with 56 kinds of herbal plants, hills and a beautiful description of the fort was made by the great poets like Srinatha and later in 20th century by Duvuri Ramireddy in their writings. once we enter the fort, either from the east or west we indispensably encounter with enchanting water tanks namely Muttyalamma cheruvu(Kunalamma), Puttalamma cheruvu, Vedulla cheruvu. If we walk through this valley feast our eyes on the beauty all-round us.

Reddy kings having found that Addanki was weak from the point of strategy, they at once shifted the capital to Kondaveedu. Considering the importance of water they gave much stress on water harvesting and conservation in this hill fort. The construction of three water tanks within the fort provides valuable knowledge regarding the engineering skills available in 14th century. These three tanks were naturally formed in a rough manner among hills. Reddy kings got them cut 15 to 20 feet deep, collecting water from the hills around them. These efforts not only meet the drinking water needs of the people in the contonment but also helped the survival of the live stock; even today the tourists and livestock quench their thirst in these tanks in mid summer. This is really a classic example of an ancient ingenuity in designing water harvesting structure to meet the needs of the people living in the fort. Reddy kings adopted similar water harvesting techniques in their other forts like Vinukonda, Bellamkonda, Kondapalli and so on.

Hill fortress are located in hills and rocky areas, in such forts water is scarce in those days. Then how could be possible for a garrison of several hundred men live at the top of these hills throughout the year without sufficient supply of drinking water? If we observe in Kondaveedu and their other forts, the water supply arrangements, the Reddy kings utilized all depressions, relatively shallow, wide and flat, cavities, deep fissures, fractures, where water can be stored were used and in the flat areas the ground was excavated in the form of reservoir and entirely artificial works were built. It means that in hills water resources were appreciable and the said kings took all possible steps to get rid of the seasonal...

The three forts on top of the narrow hill range are now in ruins; the earliest built fort is dated to the 12th century. The main fort built by the Reddy dynasty and refurbished by subsequent rulers, located at a height of nearly 320 metres (1,050 ft), was considered then as one of the strongest forts in the region. 21 structures have been identified within the fort. Its fortifications built with granite stones comprise huge ramparts, magazines, warehouses, granaries, and wells. There are two entry gates into the forts, called the ‘Kolepalli Darwaza’ and the ‘Nadella Darwaza’. The entrance gate is three-storied, massive and made of granite stone blocks. A building built with rock pillars and covered with rock slabs, has 110 metres (360 ft) long inscriptions. A defense bunker is also seen. The source of water supply to the inhabitants of the fort was from three sources namely, the Mutyalama Cheruvu, the Puttalamma Cheruvu and the Vedulla Cheruvu (‘Cheruvu’ in Telugu language means "pond"). On the way to the fort at Kothapalem (known as Puttakota in the past), at the foothill of the fort, an embankment is seen which is inferred as a security ring bund to protect the royal family palaces and houses of the main functionaries of the fort.

The fort's ruins on the southwest side of the Kondaveedu village is in the shape of an equilateral triangle, and at the turning angles of the triangle at the south west and north east, tower bastions are provided, which form part of the façade wall of the fort. A single wall of 30 kilometres (19 mi) length straddles the hills.

A temple known as the Gopinathaswami temple (dedicated to Lord Krishna) lies at the foot of the hill; its bunched stone pillars are carved out of a single rock. Both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles are seen in the forts. A mosque is located within the fort; this is said to have been built with...

Very peaceful and pleasant place. Best time would be early morning sunrise. If it is a cloudy day you can spend max time. But it would be difficult on sunny days. Don't have much shelter. There is nothing to see on the top except an un- maintained clumsy fort walls. But the best thing the view points and the Ghat Road. You can be awestruck by the beautiful mountain view ranges. For trekking it would be the best place. Maintenance was not there at the top and some spots it would be even dirty. Suitable for picnic spot with family and kids.No fear of any wild animals. There are no sign boards to explain the presence and importance of the fort. Govt need to put some effort on arranging some basic needs to improve the occupancy. There is no public transportation available to vist. But the road and the fields are very impressive near the area. Banana plantation and flower fields will give you some memorable experience and the Ghat road at its best. Be careful while driving on rain days as it was newly constructed some shrinkage happen due to that you will notice some stones falling on the road (doesn't happen all the time).There are more view points to take the pictures. Very safe place to bring your family and kids. Been with friends will give a good experience that too on bikes makes more fun. I don't find any kind of refreshments on the top of the mountain or at the bottom. Please bring food/water/refreshments from home itself. Found some newly constructing play zones at the bottom of the mountain needs time to get ready. All together one of the best and beautiful place to visit and definitely it standards need to be improved by the govt to attract tourists, also need to keep some boards to explain what is the place and importance of it existence...