Tour to Chitiradurga

• Total Population: 1,517,896
• Best time to visit: October - February
• Area: 21.57 Sq Km
• Languages: Kannada and English
• STD Code: 08194

This famous hill-Fort town is the headquarters of the district of the same name. Also known as the Place of Stones- Kallina Kote, Chitiradurga is strategically placed from the military point of view, as it came under the rule of feudatory dynasty of Vijayanagar called the Nayak Paleyagars.

Situated 200 km from Bangalore and 60 km from Davangere, Chitiradurga in Karnataka lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra flowing in the northwest.

The best time to visit Chitiradurga is between the months of October and February.

Chitiradurga got its name from the umbrella-shaped lofty hill Chitrakaldurga present here. Historically, Chitiradurga dates back to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is here where the heroine Onake Obavva fought against Hyder Ali. It was ruled by a local chieftain Madhakari Nayaka.

• Chitiradurga Fort: The historic fort of Chitiradurga with seven circumambulations encompasses the seven hills of Chinmuladri range. It has 19 gateways, 38 posterior entrances, a palace, a mosque, granaries, oil pits, 4 secret entrances and water tanks. Inside the hill fort there are temples of the Sampige Siddeshwara, Hidimbeshwara, Ekanathamma, Phalguneshwara, Gopalakrishan, etc, set amidst rocky surroundings.
• Davangere: This industrial town is renowned for its cloth mills and granary.
• Harihar: Situated on the bank of Tungabhadra River, this ancient town is famous for the Hariheshwar temple built in Hoysala style in 1223 AD.
• Chandravalli: Situated on the Northwest foot of the Chitiradurga hill, you can witness sites of historical excavation such as the Tiger boulder, Siddeshwara temple, Ankli Mutha, Anchalingeswara Cave Temple, Dhavalappanagudda and the Chandravalli Lake here.

• Vanivilas Sagar Dam: Also called Mari Kanive, this dam near Hiriyur Taluk is the oldest dam in Karnataka. Built in the pre-independence days by the Mysore Maharajas across Vedavati River, this dam is an ideal destination for picnics. The historic Maarikaamba temple here also attracts many tourists.
• Jogimatti:: Excursion to Jogimatti (one of the highest points in this area) for a picnic will take you to the captivating Himavat Kedaya waterfall.

• Durgothsava: : Chitiradurga celebrates the vibrant Durgothsava festival every year, which is inaugurated by beating drums.

Some of the major hotels in Chitiradurga, offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity as well as a comfortable stay, are Maruthi Inn Deluxe Lodge, Mayura Deluxe Lodge, Brudhavana Lodge, Sri Krishna Vilas Tourist Hotel, etc.

• By Air:The nearest airport is at Bangalore.

• By Rail : The closest railhead is at Davangere and Bangalore (via Tumkur, Arsikere, Birur, Chikkajajur).
• By Road:Chitiradurga is located at the junction of NH-4 (Bangalore-Poona National Highway) and NH-13 (Sollapur-Mangalore National Highway), and hence, is well-connected by a vast network of roads.