A Small Replica Of The Grand Canyon Of The U.S. In India!

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The river Pennar has created this gorge in Kadappa, Andhra Pradesh through the years.

We had been to the U.S., a couple of years back and visited The Grand Canyon over there and I did a post on it too here! The place was amazing.  There, the Colorado river's flow/force, made the designs in the mountainous route it flowed.  Here, in Andhra Pradesh's Kadappa, Pennar river flows through the rocky/mountainous region and has created beautiful designs on the red granite rocks.  Until we visited here, I hadn't heard about it before.  To look at this gorge, we have to climb uneven rocks. I too climbed up to some level and took some pictures!

This picture was clicked by me from a bit lower level! The red granite rocks give more beauty to the area.

My son climbed up on the uneven rocks which looked as if they were piled up on each other and took beautiful photographs.

Son climbed up these rocks and clicked the first picture from the top most rock! It was like a rock climbing sport!

Now, let me tell you a little history of this gorge.  Gandikota (Gandi means Gorge and Kota means Fort in Telugu) is a small village on the right bank of the river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadappa district, Andhra Pradesh. The gorge, which is a natural one, forms as a protective barrier on one side of this fort. The mountains are around 300 ft.above sea level.  The fort was built by the Chalukya in 1123 A.D. by Kapa Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana. More details can be had from this video and wiki link.

To reach this place we have to go through the zig zag route inside the Fort (I saw this type of zig zag routes inside the fort in other forts we visited earlier too, to cut the speed of the enemy troupes).  Our car went up to a km. inside and then had to stop.  Then we climbed up the rocky area and visited the old Jamia Masjid. Walked further through the rubbles of the old remains of the ancient buildings.  The whole area was uneven with stones.  All were red granite rock bits.  It was noon and the sun was high.  But we walked.  Son had said earlier that he was going to surprise us (we never knew about this place before!) and yes, this was a beautiful surprise for us.

So many designs, the flow of the water has created through the years and more will be there after another 20-30 years.  I liked the colour of the rock...bright colour.  The rock/stones were seen all over the area. They look sort of beautiful.

In Arizona, U.S., the Grand Canyon hasn't got this colour but more unique, unbelievable designs were there.  You can see them in my post referred to above.  They have promoted the place very well there but here, no symptom of promotion is seen.  We can put a bridge across the gorge and make way to reach the place easily.  Now, the way is via the fort and through the remains of the old fort...stones are strewn all over and it is very difficult to walk.  I think this rock climbing expedition also must be interesting for youngsters but for others, some easy way should be created. So many natural treasures and man made treasures are here in our country but maintenance and promotion is nit.  People also abuse these places. Hmmm....

Now, to more pictures of the place:

  

These temple-like structures were seen in the Grand Canyon too! Water force has created this through the years.  But now, the river looks so calm! Monsoon was not good this year too!

Story material for a movie? Male & Female footwear:)

Nearby airport is Hyderabad and then we can take taxi.  We went by road from Chennai, stayed at Kadappa and visited this place.  You can stay at Haritha Resorts at Gandikota, run by Andhra Pradesh tourism. 

We visited Belum caves after this, another nature's wonder. 2 hours' drive from Gandikota! Our India has got many treasures!

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