Kondapalli Fort

The Kondapalli Fort, as popular belief goes, was built by Prolaya Vema Reddy around the 14 century He was the founder of the Reddy kingdom of Kondaveedu, and constructed the fort in the Kondapalli village, located at 16 km in the west of the city of Vijayawada. It served as the leisure palace for the king and was used for his relaxation as well as for recreational purposes. The Kondapalli Fort near Vijayawada is graced by a majestic rock tower that stands up to three storeys. Situated on a hillock the fort rules the skyline and is clearly visible from a long distance.

The Kondapalli Fort had been witness to the rise and fall of many dynasties. What was conceived, and eventually served as a recreational mansion, was later converted into a thriving business center. With time the Kondapalli Fort became a military training base for the British rulers.

The dargah or shrine of Gareeb Sahib, a renowned Persian saint, is situated near the Kondapalli Fort. The surrounding Kondapalli village is famous for its Kondapalli toys that are made of light wooden material 'Poniki' available from the wood land on the hill itself. These toys are brightly colored and have characteristic Indian motifs as the subject. All these together make Kondapalli Fort one of the major travel attractions in Vijayawada. Animals and birds, fruits and vegetables, mythological and religious figures usually provide the imagination for these wonderful Kondapalli toys.

The Kondapalli fort is a famous picnic spot. With a bird's eye view extending to far off places, the fort and its surroundings are crowded by visitors, especially on weekends. Kondapalli fort can be easily accessed from the main city of Vijayawada. Regular buses ply to the site. Visitors can also hire a private cab for a more comfortable and fast journey.



Last Updated on: 9/05/2013