Credit:Poonam Lavhate
Gudibande fort is a captivating heritage site located in the Gudibande town, Chikkaballpur district, Karnataka. It is among the prominent places to explore for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Byre Gowda’s Legacy
Gudibande fort was constructed by Byre Gowda in the 17 th century. He was the local chieftain of the Tuluva Dynasty from the Vijayanagar empire whose rule was short-lived lasting only three years.
Inside the fort, there are seven levels interconnected by escape routes whose shows the military foresight of its builders. The fort architecture is considered a scaled down replica of Madhugiri fort.
Sir Rameshwara temple
A beautiful Shiva temple Sir Rameshwara temple is nestled within the fort. According to local belief it was established by lord Rama. The Nandisthambha in front of the shrine features sculpted stone images of Nandi, Shanmukha, and Shiva Linga.
Rock ponds
Demonstrating the indigenous water management there are approximately 19 rock ponds spread across different levels of the fort. Ponds could store upto 3 lakh of water collectively.
Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple
Gudibande town houses a famous Venkataramana Swamy Temple. The temple is carved out of a massive rock. The town derives its name, ‘Gudibande,’ from this temple, where ‘Gudi’ means temple and ‘Bande’ means rock.
Bhairasagara Lake
Shaped like a map of India, Bhairasagra lake is located 3 km before reaching the fort. The lake is very beautiful and adds a charm to the surrounding.
While the trail is not very challenging, the trek involves a climbing of about 500 stairs. On reaching the top you get panoramic views of Gudibande town, the Byrasandra lake, and the rocky landscape.
Things to keep in mind
Carry sufficient water and wear comfortable shoes while trekking.
Exploration time
To reach the top of the fort it takes around 40-50 minutes. Once you reach the breathing taking views of the landscape.
Timings
The best time to explore the Gudibande fort is from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Entry
Entry to the fort is free.
Maps and Location
Location 24 km from Lepakshi, 33 km from Chikballapur, 92 km from Bangalore