Information on Siddavatam Fort (Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh) - History & Architecture

Siddavatam Fort is a 684 years old River side fortress built by the Metla Rajulu of Tuluva Dynasty. This area is famously known as Sidhout. This fort and its surrounding places are of pilgrim's importance. This is a defensives fort which was under the British East India Company (BEIC) for more than 150 years in their control. This fort has vast history and struggle for protecting its culture and social values from local and foreign invaders. It is lactated in Sidhout Village, Rajampet Town, Kadapa Distric of Andra Pradesh in South India.

Siddavatam Fort Architecture

Siddavatam Fort is built in the Hindu architectural pattern. It is a large artillery fortification built over a 13 hectors of land area. This is a unique fort near the River banks of Pennar. This river has a natural Georges and Canyons which are beautifully act as a great natural trench for this land built fortress. It has got two major entrances facing in the opposite direction of each other. This gate way has a very welcoming arch of Gajalakshmi motifs, which is a symbol of prosperity in the Hindu culture. Another important feature of its gate way is the rear adjunct gate known as the Dakshina Kashi. This gateway is used when the main gateway is closed. This is very uniquely carved with the goddess seated in a lotus with two elephants throwing flowers on this goddess. The large and thick fortification ramparts are built with square type bastions which are found in seventeen numbers. This fort is known for its temple built here. These are named as the Bala Brahma Temple, Ranganayaka Swamy Temple, Durga Temple and the Siddheswara Temple. These are the best stone carved temples found here. Many of its pillars are made of single stone. The roofs of these temples are covered with stone slabs. Its god and goddess sculptures are made of single stone carving, which are very beautifully made. Inside this fort are has many complexes. These are of open verandahs type and closed house like structures. The main structure of this first structure is totally built of granite stones. The few of the inner complexes are built of mud blocks and clay bricks; these were later built in these areas by consecutive rulers who occupied this fortress. This inner complexes are having a cool feel always in the summer time.

Siddavatam Fort History

Siddavatam Fort is built in the year 1330 AD by the Matti Rajulu, who was the Kadappa ruler. The name of this fort has historic significance. It is also called as the Siddhout area. Since this region had many Siddhas, who were yogic peoples known for their natural remedies with herbs. These Siddhas used to sit on a round platform built around the banyan trees. Hence this place was called as Siddhouts in the medieval Era when the Udayagiri Kingdom ruled here. This fort saw much local aggression with the Reddiyars and the Vijaya Nagara kingdom over centuries. But with stand all these battles and were lost in the northern Mughal rulers. The Abdul Nabi Khan who was the commander of Emperor Aurangzeb captured this fort in the year 1714. But it dint last too much. This fort also went to the colonial peoples. It was under BEIC from 1799 AD up to the independence of India. Now the state archeological and tourism department maintain it to cater tourism and pilgrimage here.

Siddavatam Fort Tourism Importance

Siddavatam Fort is a pilgrim place and a tourist spot in Kadappa. This fort is of vast history and cultural importance. These are surrounded by natural canyons, which are a rarely seen in the south India. Kadappa is known for its Kadappa stone and this fort is a stone marvel exciting to see.