Bhongir Fort: Tourist destination in Nalgonda
When people plan a trip to Telengana, they often leave out Bhongir fort because it is another addition to the list of the lost architectural masterpiece of India. The fort is significant for not only the mesmerizing glory and beauty of its design but also due to the historical impact it has on Telangana. The fort is located in the Nalgonda district and is visually stunning. This fort was built in the tenth century by the mighty Chalukya ruler Tirubhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI. Commonly the fort is known as Bhuvangiri, and it is an excellent example of an architectural masterpiece.
Bhongir fort is one of the few forts in India that is constructed on a monolithic rock and the entire area surrounding the fort is around 50 acres. If you visit the fort, you will be amazed to find that the fort has a unique structure that looks like an egg and is about 500 feet tall. Amid the mesmerizing natural beauty of the area, the towering edifice of the fort forms a beautiful spectacle. There are two main gates through which you can enter the fort and explore every nook and corner of the area. The only female ruler of ancient India Rudramdevi also reigned in the fortress. It is another reason this fort is unique for the history-enthusiasts.
There are several engravings found inside the fort that will give you a glimpse of the life of the locals living in the area during the tenth to the fifteenth century. The Qutub Shahi dynasty ruled the fort after the Kakatiya dynasty. Though they used it as a jail and finally the fort was reigned over by the British administration till the 1940s.
What are the activities that one could do around Bhongir fort?
The fort is quite large, and it is not easy to explore the entire area in one day. Hence it would help if you planned what you want to visit the fort from beforehand and preferably hire a guide to know everything about the exciting place.
Hiking to reach the fort
To get inside the fort, you will have to walk about 500 feet and hence you will have to climb a lot of steps. At the point of reaching the zenith of the fort, you will feel them cliff to be high, and you should carry a walking stick with you to travel comfortably. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Enjoy the bird’s eye view
After reaching the fort, you will be spellbound to get the panoramic view of the surroundings. At a substantial height, you will be elated to get the entire picturesque view of the area. After travelling that much, you could rest there for a while before exploring the fort.
Follow your passion for photography
Bhongir fort is genuinely picturesque and acts as a paradise for photographers. Not only is the fort magnificent, but the area from the top happens to be great spots for clicking glorious pictures. Click selfies and make your experience memorable.
Take part in Rock Climbing
To make Bhuvangiri among youngsters, the Telangana government has started rock climbing activities in Bhongir. You can scale the hills on which the fort is located to get an adrenaline rush. With certified and expert trainers, you will face no difficulty in rock climbing in Bhuvangiri. For taking part in the activity, you will have to enrol in the two-day weekend rappelling course in Bhuvangiri.
Explore the fort
Inside the fort, you will notice many unique and interesting things, including an armoury, stables, different trap doors, temples and many more. The guide over there will explain to you every single detail regarding the history of Bhongir fort.
What are the places to see near Bhongir fort?
The fort is located in the Nalgonda district of Telangana, and there are quite a few places where you can travel to without any problem. Most of the sites mentioned below can be reached within two to three hours from Bhongir fort.
Deverakonda fort
If you are interested in the forgotten kingdoms in India, Deverakonda fort will inevitably arise your interest. Not only is the fort ruined, but it was constructed in the thirteenth century by the famous Padma Nayaka kingdom. The fort will tell you several stories of its gloried past and the wars that took place out there. It is located in the Nalgonda district and is located 60 km from the said fort.
Rachakonda fort
This fort is located in Nalgonda as well and has sustained several wars and attacks. Rachakonda fort was built by Recherla Singama Nayak and was the epitome of Kakiya architecture. Several tourists prefer to trek to the fort to explore the glorious surroundings. The fort is located 57 km from Bhongir fort and can be reached within one and half hour from the said destination.
Surendrapuri
Surendrapuri is one of the most popular locations situated in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. Not only is it located 12 km from the said fort, but it is also India’s only mythological museum. You will find the Kunda Satyanarayana Kaladham, Panchamukha Hanumadeeswara Devasthanam, Nagakoti idol, Two-sided Panchamukhi Hanuman Shiva temple and many more essential miniatures of famous temples out there. You will be able to reach there by travelling via trains or buses. The area is located only 2 km from Bhuvangiri railway station and Yadadri bus stop.
Kolanupaka
Once Kolanupaka played an essential role in the history of South India. Not only was it the capital of the Kalyani Chalukya dynasty but has a Jain temple that is one of the oldest temples in India. Not only is the architecture of the temple enriching, but it has carvings that can amaze anybody even now. About 150 artisans constructed the sculptures of the temple. Kolanupaka has other famous temples as well including Someswara temple and Sri Veeranarayana temple. If you are a history enthusiast, you must visit the museum located inside the premises of the Someswara temple out there. You will find many interesting facts about the heritage of the Kakatiyan dynasty. Kolanupaka has located 33 km from Bhuvangiri and can be reached within forty minutes.
\How can one reach Bhongir fort?
Reaching the fort is not that difficult since it is located at a distance of 100 km from the capital of Telangana, Hyderabad. If you want to reach Hyderabad, it is quite accessible since it is connected through flights, trains and roads.
Through flights
Hyderabad international airport or Rajiv Gandhi international airport is connected to not only the major cities of India but the world as well. You will be able to reach there without any problem.
Through trains
Hyderabad railway station is connected to the major cities of India, and you will be able to find several trains that would bring you to Hyderabad quite quickly.
After reaching Hyderabad, you could travel to Bhongir fort quite easily by renting a car. You could rent a car with a driver, or you could drive the car yourself. It would take you two and a half to three hours to reach there.
What should you carry for visiting Bhongir fort?
The fort is located in a secluded location, and hence you should carry light snacks and water bottles with you. Neither will you find any food stall nor will you get any vendor who sells food or water. It would help if you also carried sunglasses and hats since the weather is quite hot out there. Also, do not forget to wear sports shoes because climbing up a steep slope in fancy shoes will be the worst idea ever. Always remember to drink water to replenish your fluids because of the hot and humid climate out there.
Where can one eat near Bhongir fort?
You will not find any eateries located in the fort, but there is a hotel on the bypass road via Hyderabad-Warangal highway where you can find food. The restaurant’s name is Vivera, and you will be able to find South Indian and North Indian meals out there. If you will want to eat lunch while visiting the fort, go to the said hotel.
What is the apt time to visit Bhongir fort?
Telangana is quite hot all year round. Hence the area surrounding the fort is quite warm as well. If you want to explore the fort comfortably, you should visit there between October to March. During these months, you will get comparatively comfortable weather. That is why it is best to visit the fort during winter.
Bhongir Fort is not merely a fort, but it tells stories of the past and the incidents that took place from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. You will be able to witness the intricacies of an archaeological site in great details if you visit there. Not only is the fort located in a glorious surrounding, but the architecture is breathtaking as well. If you are planning a trip to Telangana or Andhra Pradesh and you have included visiting Hyderabad in your itinerary, add this magnificent to your list. This hidden fort of India will genuinely enlighten you about its past glory and oppression that it suffered centuries ago.