Visit Bellary or Ballari Fort: History, Structure, Timings, Places to Visit Nearby Bellary Kote or Ballari Kote (2024)
History of Bellary Fort
Located 312 km away from Bangalore, Bellary Fort in Bellary, is one of the best places to visit in Karnataka. Situated on the top of a hill named Ballari Gudda, this fort is also popularly known as the Bellary Kote. This fort was built by the Palegar chief Hanumappa Nayaka during the Vijaynagara times. Whether you want to revisit history or want to make your trip to Bellary memorable, this fort is a must-visit place. In 1769, the possession of the Bellary Fort went to Hyder Ali who then worked on renovating the fort with the assistance of a French engineer.
According to popular belief, this French engineer was hanged later as he overlooked the fact that the neighboring Kumbara Guddas had a height greater than the Ballari Gudda. This belittled the command of the Bellary Fort. Many believe that his grave is situated near the East Gate of the Bellary Fort. However, many locals claim that this tomb is of a local Muslim saint. This fort unravels the best opportunity for you to see the history come alive. While Hanumappa Nayaka built the Upper Fort, the Lower Fort was built by Haider Ali in the domain of the 18th century.
Structure of Bellary Fort: The Upper Fort And Lower Fort At The Bellary Fort?
The Bellary Fort consists of the Upper Fort and the Lower Fort.
The Upper Fort here comprises of a temple, a citadel, a deep well for storing water, and barracks for the soldiers.
On the other hand, the Lower Fort at the Bellary Fort can be accessed from either the Western Gate or the Eastern Gate. The Lower Fort adorns itself with several bastions and deep pits. These pits are home to crocodiles and were created to prevent soldiers from coming closer. You will also find the Kote Anjaneya Temple, which is also popularly known as the Hanuman Temple, in the Lower Fort. The Lower Fort is home to a number of shelters that were used to accommodate villagers in case of a war.
Bellary Fort Timings
- Monday: 8 AM–5:25 PM
- Tuesday: 8 AM–5:25 PM
- Wednesday: 8 AM–5:25 PM
- Thursday: 8 AM–5:25 PM
- Friday: 8 AM–5:25 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM–5:25 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM–12 AM
How To Reach The Bellary Fort?
There are a couple of ways to reach the Bellary Fort, one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka. You can easily reach Bellary by flight, rail, and road as well.
- By Air: The nearest airport to the Bellary Fort is the Jindal Vijaynagar Airport located in Toranagallu. The airport is approximately 35 km away from the Bellary Fort. You can easily reach the fort from the airport in an hour.
- By Rail: Bellary Junction Railway Station is situated 3 Km away from the Bellary Fort. It takes 8 minutes to reach the fort from the airport.
- By Road: The Bellary Fort in Bellary can be easily reached from Bangalore in approximately 6 hours. The distance between Bangalore and Bellary is around 312 km.
What Is The Best Time To Visit The Bellary Fort?
Bellary Fort in Bellary is best explored during the months between October and March.
Where To Stay Near The Bellary Fort in Bellary, Karnataka?
While Bellary has many accommodation options, Royal Fort in Bellary is one of the most prominent hotels in Bellary. Besides offering comfortable rooms, this property comes with 40 well-appointed rooms. They also offer superior quality room service along with different facilities and amenities such as tea/coffee maker, DVD player, mini-bar, etc. This hotel is roughly 4.1 km away from the Bellary bus stand, 29 km from Toranagallu Railway Station, and 33.5 km from the Jindal Vijaynagar Airport.
What Are The Different Places To See Around The Bellary Fort, Bellary, Karnataka?
There are quite a few places that you should explore during your stay in Bellary. Include these top tourist places to visit in Karnataka in your Bellary itinerary to make your trip to Bellary Fort memorable.
- Kumaraswamy Temple: Located 4 km away from the Bellary Fort in Bellary, Karnataka, Kumaraswamy Temple is one of the popular temples to visit in Bellary. Built between the 8th and 10th century, this temple is home to Lord Murugan or Kartikeya.
- Kumbara Gudda: Situated at a distance of 4 km away from the Bellary Fort in Bellary, Kumbara Gudda is another prominent place to visit during your stay in Bellary. Popularly known as the Face Hill, this hill unravels the rejuvenating opportunity for you to experience serenity at the lap of nature. This hill resembles the side angle of a human face.
- Yantrodharaka Temple: Situated 3 km away from the Bellary Fort, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. During your trip to Bellary, you must visit this temple to experience spirituality. According to popular belief, the Yanodaraka Hanuman was eulogized by Vyasaraya, a Madhva saint. Image Source
If you love exploring historical places or want to take yourself on a short weekend tour, Bellary Fort is one of the best places to visit in Karnataka that you should consider exploring. Add the places around Bellary in your itinerary to make your trip even more memorable. Being home to a number of neolithic archaeological sites like ash mounds at Budihal, Tekkalakote, and Sanganakallu, Bellary attracts thousands of tourists every year from different parts of the country. Upholding a culture that reflects the traditions of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Bellary is truly worth a visit.
If you have already read about Kuntala Desha, Nolambanadi-Nadu, and Sindavadi-Nadu, all of them were from Bellary. Don’t forget to add a few more destinations like Kumbara Rock Hills, Kuntegadda Park, Bellary Zoo, and Kaategudda Park to your Bellary itinerary. Visit Bellary in Karnataka during the monsoon and winter seasons to see it at its best. Whether you want to take yourself to the mountains or simply need a break from the mundane life, Bellary should definitely top your list.