Forts of Gingee

About the destination

Gingee is a hillfort destination in Tamilnadu - 134 km from Tambaram (Chennai). Gingee Fort is a popular tourist destination, to know about the history of the region as well as the architecture being practiced then to win wars and protect people.

One can take the GST (Grand Southern Trunk - NH) and drive all along till Tindivanam. Around 7 km before Tindivanam, take left and one can reach Gingee in around 35 km.

Trip Plan

Trip : Chennai - Acharapakkam - Gingee - Chennai
Trip Dates: 8 February 2020
Trip Mates: Karthik, Sathish Raja, Vijayan

A long-planned Day trip - delayed for years! Gingee is 134 km from Tambaram.

A Stop by Shiva Temple

Our first stop for the day was at Acharapakkam Shiva temple. The Google code of the location is TNT029. The temple is around 2-3 km after Melmaruvathur Adiparasakthi temple. One has to go through narrow lanes of Achirapakkam and reach Sri Atcheeswarar Temple. The main deity of the temple is Sri Atchipureeswarar (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Umayambigai. There are 2 sanctums for Lord Shiva in this temple. The temple timings are 6 AM to 11 AM; 4 PM to 8:30 PM.

We had breakfast at the 99km hotel. The Tiffen items made of siru dhaniyangal and varieties of water. A perfect place to relish food and relax on the highway. We, in fact, stopped again taking U-Turn when we were returning as well.

Ancient Jain Caves

Around 8:40 AM, we were closer to Gingee. We first stopped by Ancient Jain Caves and Jain Beds at  Uranithangal. Uranithangal is a small village on the base of this hill and is around 3 km before Gingee town. The haphazard placement of stones is the way to go. The natural saves had been used as Jain beds and shelters. We traced a few pathways randomly and reached the cave-like structure in 10 minutes. It was not an easy climb though through thorny bushes. We found several Jain beds and feet print of Tirthankaras and Dharma Chakra etched on the rocks. We spent around 20 minutes enjoying the views from the tops and the chillness at the shelters.

Gingee Fort

Gingee fort has 3 hillock forts - one for the king (Rajagiri), one for the queen (Krishnagiri), and one for soldiers (Chandrayandurg). Gingee Fort is well fortified and built by Anatha Kon of the Konar Dynasty. It was then passed on the Marathas, Bijapur Sultans, Moghuls, Nawabs, and British. The fortifications of Gingee are amazingly done and this has been a great asset of the fort - described by every ruler.

Firstly, we visited a Shiva temple before entering Rajagiri. The Shiva temple is on the left side of the road leading to Rajagiri. The Shiva temple was built in the period of Desingu Raja, who was a king of Gingee Fort for a period.

Rajagiri

The path leading to Rajagiri takes one through few monuments as well. The entry to the place is Rs.30 per person and the open timings are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. However, entry to climb the hill stops at 3:00 PM; the reason primarily is because it takes close to 3 hours to climb up and down the hill. The Rajagiri fort is a towering hill and climbs of 800 feet in elevation and not an easy climb.

Before we reach the steps to climb, there are few monuments to see around. This includes Belltower (Kalyana Mandapam), a few mandapams, Gymnasium, Elephant stable, Elephant pond, Granary, and Treasury. It takes around 30-60 minutes to go around and appreciate the grandeur of the place.

The hill climb to Rajagiri is around 1500 steps and definitely a difficult climb. Elders and people with physical challenges are suggested not to give a try. One needs to carry lots of water and snacks along with it. There is nothing available (absolutely nothing!) to eat or drink when you are on the way to the top or no reaching there. Please be prepared accordingly. One needs to plan up to 3 hours. There are shades of trees and mandapas en route to sit and relax, and one needs this several times through the climb. Do take time to click photographs en route so as to keep you engaged and amazed by the fortifications around.

Krishnagiri Fort - view from midway climbing Rajagiri

One last breath of a climb to reach the top of Rajagiri

Once you reach the top, we can get to see a bunch of mandapas, granary, and a couple of temples - one for Lord Ranganatha, a small cave pond with a natural source of water. We spent around 30 minutes at the top - to relax as well as go around the place and amaze at the structures constructed.

Ranganatha Swamy Temple - View from Top of Rajagiri

Temple at the top of Rajagiri

Absolute view from the top!

We started climbing down the hill and it was absolutely hot and hard even in February. A strict no-no in summers! We reached down and decided to see the Lord Ranganathaswamy temple at a distance. A km ride and we reached. The temple gopuram is stunning with the rocky hillocks all around. The whole place of Gingee resembles Hampi in many ways! We had darshan at the fairly sculpted temple and had some prasadam as well.

It was noon and we decided to have lunch in Gingee before climbing the Krishnagiri. I had lunch at Hotel Vasantha Bhavan (local restaurant) - the veg meals were ok; decent service and value of money. We prepared for the 3rd summit for the day ... hot day!

Krishnagiri

Krishnagiri - the fort is on the main road towards Thiruvannamalai on the right from Gingee. The fort is on a hillock that is smaller than Rajagiri. The hillock had 400 steps, however, it is absolutely steeper than Rajagiri. The menacing climb to the top was much more difficult because of uneven steps and the degree of steepness! Especially, post-lunch it became tougher and tougher to climb. We were mentally prepared to do it very slow and did so! We took almost 1 hour to make it to the top. There are 4 stone mandapas along the route for one to sit, relax, and start again!

Once we reached the top, we figured out that there are more monuments to go around than in Rajagiri. It was a bit of a surprise to know so. There are several mandapas around, a couple of big granary spaces, and 2 temples. There is also a throne chamber amidst all these elements. The 2 temples, one for Lord Ranganatha and the other for Lord Shiva are having sculptures and well-decorated gopurams.

The Ranganatha temple has ornamental sculptures and pillars too. It is a 2 tier temple and has nice views from the top. One can go around this temple structure and can reach the Shiva temple as well. One would need around 1 hour to go around and cherish the moments at Gingee Krishnagiri.

Our descent was also complicated, given the uneven steps, lack of supporting structures by the sides of the steps, and the steep nature of steps. We came down around 4 PM, had some sugarcane juice, and drove back to Chennai. A very satisfactory trip to Gingee - most importantly the place is full of amazing fortifications, history, successful reigns, and of all the above, great architecture!

• Tambaram – Gingee fort – 134 km
• Tindivanam – Gingee Fort – 29 km
• Uranithangal Jain Caves and Beds, Uranitangal – 7 km before Gingee fort