Kittur Fort is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka. It is considered one of the key heritage buildings in the state. Nestled 50 km away from Belgavi, the Fort has enormous historical significance. Today, with its several old palaces and monuments, Kittur holds historic importance for tourists, who visit the town from all over India and beyond. Explore the Peshwa-Islamic architecture styles and look deep pinto the history and cutre of the place.
The Look And Feel Of Kittur Fort
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Perched elegantly amidst lush green, the views from the Fort are simply breathtaking. The vastness of the Fort makes one feel small and insignificant. Taken together, after so many generations, the fort still stands tall, telling its visitors the lost tales of its majestic grandeur. While around the fort, you will imagine how the days in the Fort would have been under the many monarchs ruling over the Fort.
The fort has an interesting layout, which, in those days, was used to help it protect itself strategically from intruders. The intricate design on the walls of the fort is marvellously detailed. Take a good tour of Kittur Fort by exploring the palace and its various areas. There are various rooms on the premises of the fort, which are well maintained to give the visitors a good glimpse of the era gone by. The archaeological museum in the fort is home to antiques and historical relics, including ancient weapons, shields, idols, paintings, etc. Some old canons and large stone sculptures are kept in the open space outside the museum.
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The Legend Of Kittur Fort
The Kittur Fort was built from 1660 to 1691 A.D. by Allppa Gowda SarDesai, the fifth ruler of the Kittur dynasty. The fort is made of black basalt rock, found in abundance in and around Kittur. There was also a grand palace built inside the fort during this time. Kittur Fort came to prominence when it became the authoritarian seat of Rani Chennamma. From this fort, the queen led an armed rebellion against the East India Company and the British administration in 1824, about 33 years before the 1857 mutiny.
Location & Timings
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Kittur Fort is in the town of Kittur, Belagavi (also known as Belgaum) district of Karnataka. It is about 50 kilometers away from Belagavi in the northwest and Hubbali in the southwest. Kittur Fort can be easily accessed by road.
The Kittur Fort is open from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all days. However, the timings may vary on special days, such as festivals and holidays. For tourists, it is recommended to check and confirm the Fort’s timings from the local enquiry counter.
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Attractions Around Kittur Fort
There are many popular tourist attractions in and around the Kittur Fort. Some of the must-visit destinations are –
1. Belagavi Fort
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Located about 44 kilometres from Kittur Fort, in the heart of Belgavi city, Belagavi Fort was built in the 12th century A.D. by the local Ratta dynasty rulers. Its construction was begun by Jaya Raya, popularly known as Bichi Raja, a minister of Kartavirya IV, in 1204 AD. Kartavirya IV was a mighty king who was believed to have the strength of a thousand hands and who once defeated Ravana. After several years of its making, the successive ruler kept building and renovating the fort regularly. Hence, Belagavi Fort is one of the oldest forts in Karnataka. You will enjoy your visit to Belgavi Fort, known for its amazing architecture, citadels, and historical worth. It will indeed be an educational trip for you.
Location: About 44 kilometres away from Kittur Fort
Entry Fee: Free
2. Fort Lake – Kote Kere
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Fort Lake is a popular tourist attraction. You and your loved ones will not have a dull moment here as the lake offers boating, which is one of the favourite activities for children. You will enjoy taking a long walk on the shores of the lake. It provides stunning views of the landscape. Whether you want a relaxed and laid-back time or want some fun and adventure, Fort Lake is the perfect destination for all ages. A tall Tiranga stands firm near the lake, which is grandly unfurled on special days of the year. Other attractions near the lake are a floating cafeteria, Dinosaur statues, an open gym and more.
Location: Near Belgavi Fort
Entry Fee: Free
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3. Kamal Basadi, Belagavi
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Inside the Belgavi Fort is Kamal Basadi, a Jain temple complex famous for its unique architecture, detailed carvings, and peaceful setting. Kamal Basadi represents the Chalukya architectural style and holds religious significance for the Jain community. Kamal Basti gets its name from its unique appearance. The temple gets its name from a lotus with 72 petals. Each petal has the names of 24 Tirthankaras carved on it.
Location: Inside Belgavi Fort
Entry Fee: Free
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Garden, Shahpur, Belagavi
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Garden, Shahpur, Belagavi displays Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s brave and heroic life. The garden is beautifully decorated and well-maintained. In the evening, one can witness the interesting audio and video production narrating the legendary story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire and one of India’s greatest warriors. The show tells the audience about the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The show in Kannada starts at 6.30 pm, and the one in Marathi begins at 7.45 pm. Both the shows run for 45 mins.
Location: Kapileswar Colony, Shahapur, Belagavi,
Entry Fees: Rs 10; Show fees: Rs 20
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How To Reach Kittur Fort
Kittur is well-connected by road with the major cities of Karnataka and the rest of India. Kittur is easily accessible by bus and taxi from the adjoining cities of Belagavi and Hubballi. The train connectivity of Kittur Fort is through Belagavi (Belgaum) railway station. The newly renovated railway station connects to major cities, such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. The nearest airport to Kittur is Belagavi Airport, which is called Sambre Airport. One can easily hire a taxi or take a bus from the railway station and airport to reach Kittur. Once you reach Kittur, it would be easy to locate the fort as it is a prominent landmark of the area.
The Best Time To Visit
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Winter months, from November to February, are considered the best time to visit Kittur Fort. The weather in Karnataka is comparatively pleasant during this season, with less humidity and cooler temperatures. Nice weather enhances the pleasure of exploring vast, open sites like Kittur Fort. The months of June to September see extreme rainfall and humidity levels, and hence are avoidable. Heavy rainfall can cancel outdoor activities and obstruct the accessibility to Kittur Fort.
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If you are a history buff or an architecture enthusiast, Kittur Fort is a great destination for you. Nestled in Karnataka, this is a major archaeological site with historical significance. It is also referred to as Kittur Chennamma Fort . If you are planning your next trip to Karnataka, you must add Kttur Fort to your itinerary. Explore Its charm and discover the traces of its history.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kittur Fort
Where is Kittur Fort?
Kittur Fort is in Karnataka state of India, about 50 kilometers distance from its two key cities, Belgavi and Hubbali.
Why is the legend of Kittur Fort?
Kittur Fort is famous for being the residence of Rani Chennamma for some time, from where she launched India’s first armed protest against the British administration in 1832, decades before the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.
How to reach Kittur Fort?
Kittur Fort is well connected by road, train, and flight. Belgavi is its nearest big city. The railway station and airport of Belgavi offer good connectivity to Kittur Fort.
What was the erstwhile name of Kittur?
Kittur was earlier known by the name of Kitoor. However, these days it is officially known as Kittur.
Who fought the first battle of ancient India with the British?
Rani Chennamma, the queen of Kittur, led the first armed struggle against the British in 1832. The struggle resulted in heavy loss for the East India Company.
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