Chandragiri Fort

Chandragiri was under the rule Vijayanagara Empire for about three centuries and came under the control of the Vijayanagara rulers in 1367. It came into prominence during the 1560s during the reign of Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya. Later, the most famous Vijayanagara emperor Srikrishna Devaraya, was kept in this fort as a prince, till his coronation at Penukonda.

It is also said that he met his future queen Chinna Devi at this fort. Chandragiri was the 4th capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Rayas shifted their capital to here when the Golconda sultans attacked Penukonda. In 1646 the fort was annexed to the Golkonda territory and subsequently came under Kingdom of Mysore rule. It went into oblivion from 1792 onward. The Raja Mahal Palace is now an archaeological museum. The palace is an example of Indo-Sarcen architecture of the Vijayanagara period.

The crowning towers represent the Hindu architectural elements. The palace was constructed using stone, brick, and lime mortar, and devoid of timber. Some of the important kavyas or epic poems are written in this fort under the patronage of Vijayanagara kings. Inside the fort are eight temples, Raja Mahal, Rani Mahal, and other ruined structures.

Inside the fort are the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal which have been quite well maintained for more than 300 years. Raja Mahal is converted as Archeological Museum by the Archeological Survey of India.

The museum holds models of a fort, main temple, and other structures of the surrounding area. Both of these building were constructed without using wood and only lime, brick and morter was used. Rani Mahal has flat roof and at base level it has stable and epigraphical evidence says that this building was also used as commanders quarters.

The fort is the place where the pact of granting lands for Fort St. George to the British was signed by Vijayanagara King Sri Rangaraya in August 1639.

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The replicas of the statues of Sri Krishnadevaraya and his consorts (originals inside Tirumala Temple) are kept here. The museum inside Raja Mahal has fine collections of bronze and granite sculptures.

Sage Vyasatirtha used to reside here and was a spiritual advisor to King Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya and he was entrusted with worship at Tirumala temple. Vyasathirtha remained in Chandragiri in the court of Narasimha Raya II.

The fort is at a distance of 12 km from the famous Tirupati Temple and there is a footpath to the temple from this fort, which is the reason the sage resided here.