Gandikota is a nondescript town in Andhra Pradesh. But in its glory days, a Chalukyan king built a massive fort, the remains of which thrill visitors till date. Anyone who has paid attention to the India’s ancient structures would know that our intelligent ancestors always factored in the local terrain in their plans. The view point at Gandikota enforces this. The fort walls run long, and beside the river. Anyone trying to climb up the walls can easily be seen.

Much of this ancient architectural masterpiece is in shambles now. Today, visitors can visit the granary, Madhavaraya temple, Jama Masjid and Ranganatha Swamy Temple and the Gandikota Gorge View Point besides a few minor structures. The entire town of Gandikota is sparsely populated and does not see a lot of tourists. We stayed in the APSRTC tourism guest house which is a sprawling property at a walk able distance from the fort. Gandikota makes for a nice weekend trip from Bangalore.