Sidhout Fort

Located at a distance of about 25 Kms from Kadapa, Sidhout Fort is a very famous tourist attraction of the area. It is also known as "Gateway to Srisailam" or "Dakshina Kasi". The fort is situated on the banks of river Pennar. Various temples are located inside the fort and attract a huge number of pilgrims apart from tourists throughout the year. Visiting this fort in Andhra Pradesh provides a state of peace and relaxation to every individual, which makes it a treasure to visit once in your lifetime. The fort is situated at the foot of Lankamalla hills and is a perfect example of military strategy and architectural skills of our ancient India. The fort is also known as Siddavatam Fort among tourists.

History of Sidhout Fort

Sidhout fort was constructed in 1303 AD and has a long history associated with it. The fort is said to be developed under the rule of King Varadha Raju, Son-in-law of Sri Krishna Deva Raya. Before coming into the rule of the Varadha Raju, it was under the rule of Matti Rajulu and used to be a mud fort. Prior to that it was a part of Udayagiri Kingdom and was given to Matti Yellama Raju as a gift for his support in many wars. In 1799 the fort became a part of British East India Company after ruled by many rulers including Aurangajeb's Commander Mr Jumla II, Aarkatu Nawabs, Abdul Nabi Khan and Mayana Nawabs in different time periods.

Architecture of Sidhout Fort

Sidhout fort is spread across an area of 30 acres and is located on the banks of River Pennar. Many temples are situated inside the premises of the fort. These temples include Durga Temple, Siddheswara Temple, Bala Brahma Temple, and Ranganayaka Swamy Temple. Best thing about the architecture of this fort is that there is an ancillary passage through which the visitors can enter even after the closure of the main gates. Geteways and decorated pillars are easily seen from the two ends of the fort. Carvings of Gajalakshmi can be seen easily on the top of the fort. One can also see the 17 square bastions, which were used to protect the region once.

How to Reach at Sidhout Fort

Sidhout fort can be reached easily by road and rail both. Nearest railway station is located at Kadapa at a distance of about 25 Km and nearest bus stop is located at Siddhavatam at distance of about 1 Km from the fort. Best time to visit this place is from September to February. Normal temperature of the region ranges from 25 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Quick Facts about Sidhout Fort

Address :Siddavatam  Fort, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.
Operating Hours: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM (Including weekdays and weekends)
Art Forms: Nayaks
Built In: 1303 CE
Entry Fee: INR 5 per person