Last Updated on July 5, 2024 by Tariq
Devanahalli Fort, a historic landmark situated a mere 35 km from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore city, holds much interest for those seeking to rediscover history and bygone eras.
Widely renowned as the birthplace of the formidable Tipu Sultan, known as the Tiger of Mysore, this fort promises an engrossing excursion into the past.
You can walk through cobbled pathways lined with bastions and battlements dating back centuries and marvel at ramparts embellished with carvings and inscriptions narrating tales of battles and glory days.
Find out everything here that you need to know for a historical trip to Devanahalli Fort!
Quick Info
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Location | Bangalore – Hyderabad Highway, Devanahalli |
|---|---|
Entry Fee | No Entry Fee |
Timings & Visiting Hours | 24 hours |
Nearest Metro / Station | Metro connectivity is not available at this point. However, you can travel by train and get down at the Devanahalli Railway Station, which is about 750 meters from the fort. |
Phone Number | – |
Address | Near Devanahalli District, Bangalore – Hyderabad Highway, Devanahalli, Karnataka 562110 |
How to Reach Devanahalli Fort?
To reach Devanahalli Fort from Bangalore by road, drive 35 kilometers north on the Bangalore-Hyderabad National Highway 7.
Continue on this road until you see a sign for the Devanahalli Township area overhead.
Once you see the Township sign, take a right turn.
Drive for about half a kilometer further on this road.
The fort’s entrance will be visible on your right. You can drive your vehicle right inside the fort premises.
Park your car at the designated parking area and proceed on foot to explore the fort.
Things Not to Miss Near Devanahalli Fort
(Source: Ch4nd4nk)
There are several interesting places you can explore around Devanahalli Fort:
Kalavara Durga
Kalavara Durga also known as Skandagiri Fort is located 12 kilometers away. Perched at a height of 1,350 meters, the fort ruins now showcase broken walls and a crumbling fortress that once belonged to a local king. Nature lovers especially enjoy trekking here to witness spectacular sunrises as well as the majestic views of the Nandi Hills mountain range.
Grover Zampa Vineyards
The Grover Zampa Vineyards, situated 13 kilometers from Devanahalli Fort, are famous for producing some of the finest wines in Karnataka. Established in 1988, the vineyards offer cellar tours and tastings of their Tempranillo grape wines – the premier variety produced in India.
Shree Nakoda Avanti Jain Temple
The Shree Nakoda Avanti Jain Temple lies around 1.2 kilometers from the fort. Dedicated to Lord Nakoda, the temple is just off the Bangalore-Hyderabad highway en route to Devanahalli Fort.
Temples At Devanahalli Fort
(Source: ​​By Tinucherian)
Venugopalaswamy Temple
The oldest and most popular temple within the fort is the Venugopalaswamy Temple. It faces the main road and has a spacious courtyard with a spectacular Garuda Stambha.
The beautifully adorned pillars and walls decorated with Ramayana scenes make it a treasure trove for history lovers. The sculptures are comparable to those in Halebid and Belur.
The entrance has two pillars guarded by horsemen with swords. The sanctuary has an image of Venugopal in the Vijayanagar style. The top features a Dravidian style Shikara.
Siddhalingeshwara Temple
The Siddhalingeshwara Temple is a historic Shaiva temple that dates back to the Vijayanagara period.
It showcases some of the finest architectural elements from that era like elegantly carved pillars, entrances guarded by images of dwarapalakas and horses, and a shikhara over the sanctum.
The idol of Lord Shiva in linga form installed in the main sanctuary is believed to possess special powers and healing energies. The temple is surrounded by a spacious courtyard with small shrines dedicated to other deities around the periphery. The temple walls feature intricate carvings depicting stories related to Lord Shiva from Shaiva sacred texts.
Chandramouleshwara Temple
The Chandramouleshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Chandramouleshwara – one with the crescent moon.
It dates back to the Vijayanagara period and is known for its elaborate architectural features like spiral columns, intricate sculptures, and mantapas.
Raghavendraswamy Matha
Raghavendraswamy Matha is a historic monastery, believed to date back to the Vijayanagara period and is named after Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the saint, and philosopher.
The matha complex houses temples and halls used by monks for prayer, meditation, and religious discourses.
The architecture of the matha, like other structures within the fort, represents a fine specimen of Vijayanagara style, evident in the pillars, doorways, and wall carvings.
Sarovaranjaneya Temple
The Sarovaranjaneya Temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple is officially known as the Sarovar Hanuman Temple. It is believed to date back to the Vijayanagara period, around the 15th-16th century.
The temple architecture exhibits typical features of the Vijayanagara style with a towering gopuram, sculptured pillars, colonnaded halls, and intricately carved wall niches.
The presiding deity of Lord Hanuman in the sanctuary is flanked by images of Goddess Sita and Lakshmana. The temple is picturesquely situated around a large pond referred to as ‘Sarovara’, lending it the name ‘Sarovaranjaneya’.
The Architecture of Devanahalli Fort
Devanahalli Fort is an architectural marvel dating back to the 15th century.
The fort showcases 12 semi-circular bastions, each providing sweeping views from its gunpoint position onto the spacious battlements within the fort walls.
The relatively small eastern and western entrances are decorated with elaborate cut-plasterwork.
The chief attraction is the residence of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan – a tall six-foot enclosed structure supported by pillars.
A stone tablet here bears the inscription ‘Tipu’s Birth Place’, marking it as the birthplace of the Tiger of Mysore.
(Source: ​​By Tinucherian)
The area surrounding the memorial is known as Khas Bagh. It features several tamarind, mango, and banana plantations as well as a dried-up pond.
The fort’s imposing architecture and bastions, ornate entrances, the residence of historical figures, and greenery within its precincts come together to make Devanahalli Fort a fascinating glimpse into the military engineering and landscaping of the Vijayanagara and Wodeyar periods.
History of Devanahalli Fort
The history of Devanahalli Fort dates back to when a cluster of refugees who fled from Conjeevaram took shelter in the foothills of Ramaswamy betta.
(Source: ​​By Tinucherian)
The leader of the group, Rana Baire Gowda dreamt of establishing a village for his people near that place.
His son Malla Baire Gowda eventually founded Devanahalli during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire.
In 1501 AD, Malla Baire sought permission from the governor of Devanadoddi (the original name of Devanahalli) and built a mud fort for his family.
Over time, the fort underwent several renovations and modifications under the rule of several dynasties like the Rashtrakutas, Nolambas, Pallavas, Cholas, Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagara rulers.
Eventually, it came under the dominion of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore. After successive conquests by the Marathas, the fort came to be ruled by Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan.
The fort began as a humble mud structure built by Malla Baire Gowda for protection.
As different rulers took control over the centuries, changes and expansions were incorporated to strengthen their defenses reflecting the political realities of each ruler.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best time to visit the Devanahalli Fort?
The ideal time to visit Devanahalli Fort for a more enriching experience is during the summer season. The tamarind and mango plantations within the fort premises are in full bloom during summer, presenting a lush green and vibrant atmosphere. The orange blossoms and myriad other flowers are also at their peak during this time.
Is there any time restriction on visiting the fort?
No, the temple is open 24 hours so you can visit anytime. However, The temples within Devanahalli Fort are open to visitors in two sessions daily: Morning session: 7 am to 1 pm / Evening session: 6 pm to 8 pm. So, if you want to visit the temples as well, keep the timings in mind.
Who built Devanahalli Fort?
Malla Baire Gowda constructed the original fort at Devanahalli in 1501. This original structure was a modest mud fort built to provide security for Malla Baire Gowda’s family. Several centuries later, in the 18th century, Hyder Ali restored and expanded the fort on a grand scale. He rebuilt the entire fort using stone masonry, transforming the humble mud structure into an imposing stone edifice.
(Feature image source: ​​By Tinucherian)
