River Colarado cuts through the state of Arizona in the U.S. to form the world renowned Grand Canyon. Half a globe away in the Rayalseema region of Andhra Pradesh, Pennar river cuts through Kadappa district to form the Indian Grand Canyon, better known as Gandikota gorge.
After traversing through the barren brown hills and a few sunflower fields of Rayalseema, we reached Jammalamadugu, a small town in Kadappa. From there a narrow but well asphalted road took us further higher onto the hills of Erramala. The landscape though being devoid of greenery was expansive and a sight to behold. After a fifteen kilometer drive through the beautiful landscape we reached Gandikota fort. The fort was under rennovation. All that we wanted to see was the canyon and headed there. It is small walk from the fort to the canyon. The gorge forms the background for the fort and also gets its name from the same. The fort also houses a Masjid, Madhavaraya temple, Raghunatha temple and a granary.
As we walked towards the gorge all that we could see were the vast plains and the big red boulders. The gorge was nowhere to be seen till we reached very close to it. Then from nowhere the 300 feet deep gorge appeared leaving us wonderstruck. Though it cannot come anywhere close in size and beauty to the Grand canyon of Arizona, it definitely can be named the Indian grand canyon. We were disappointed as there was hardly any water and the hot summers of the region had made the river into a green slush of weeds and grass. Post the monsoons it would definitely resemble the Grand canyon and would leave all visitors gaping at its natural formation. However, the huge red boulders made for a magnificent background and the landscape looked majestic. Even without water, the gorge did leave us spellbound for quite a while with its gargantuan vistas.
The place still remains unexplored with very few visitors other than the locals. Make sure to visit the gorge after the monsoons to enjoy this scenic natural wonder.
Signing Note- Indeed our own Grand Canyon...!!
Route- Bangalore- Chikaballarpur- Gorantla- Kadiri- Pulivendula- Jammalamadugu- Gandikota
(Once you cross Andhra border ask for Gorantla deviation)
Distance- 290 Kms
Stunning pictures, I would love to visit there, maybe next time I come to India ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela. Its a beautiful landscape.
DeleteIm been wanting to go there for quite some time now. Hope it happens sometime soon. Nice pics!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Visit the place after october when the water level rises.
DeleteAmazing shots with very interesting write up...
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Vineeta.
DeleteI am awestruck by the photos!!
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing.
I need to go!!!!
Thank you. Head there after the monsoons.
DeleteWow have to go here one day! Thanks for bringing it to my notice.
ReplyDeleteIt is a magnificent place. Head there soon.
Deleteamazing!!! feeling to fly away there!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com/
Thank you. Keep visiting.
DeleteThis place has been on the list for a very long time now .
ReplyDeleteVisit soon.
Deletebeautiful :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joshi.
DeleteBeautiful. This is new to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It is a beautiful place.
DeleteGreat collection of pictures! Indian GC huh? How far is it from BLR?
ReplyDeleteThanks Kusum. Its not the official Indian Grand Canyon, but visitors tend to call it by that name. :). Its about 290 kms from bangalore.
DeleteThere exists such a place in India!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures.
Yes, It is very much in India. Visit the place when the water levels are high.
DeleteVery Nice... But I have seen photos with the river full of water.... yes as u said we have to visit after mansoon...
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yeah, I chose the wrong time of the year to visit the place.
DeleteWould love to see this post monsoon! Amazing sight!
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be worth the visit post the monsoons.
DeleteThat is a wonderful and interesting place! Would so love to see it in person someday. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful place. Head there soon Arti.
ReplyDeleteI've plans of visiting this place. let me see
ReplyDeleteIts a beautiful place. Do visit in october/november.
DeleteBeautiful photos and great info
ReplyDeletethanks
Thanks Krishna.
DeleteIt is a paradise in those Mountain rocks. This is the spectacular Indian grand Canyon that any traveler should visit.
ReplyDeleteI second that. Thanks for dropping by. Keep visiting.
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