Visit Nagara Fort In Kodachadri: History, Structure, Architecture, Timings, Best Time to Visit, Places to Visit Nearby (2024)
When it comes to natural scenic beauty and rich historical past, the Indian state of Karnataka needs no introduction. There are plenty of top tourist places to visit in Karnataka that will allow you to feel proud of the country. Located about 25 km from the beautiful mountain peak of Kodachadri, Nagara Fort is one amazing place to visit in Karnataka, especially if you are curious to take a peek in the historical past. Though it is not much popular among all the travellers but still those people who love reflecting the historical past, study the ruins and wish to explore the offbeat places, often frequent the Nagara Fort.
The construction of this ancient fort is said to date back to as long as about the 18th century in history. It is believed that this historical Nagara Fort once belonged to the Keladi dynasty. In this article, we have gathered all the important information about the Nagara fort which you must know about before actually visiting it to avoid discovering any unpleasant or shocking details later on. Image Source
Why Should you visit the Nagara Fort in Kodachadri?
Though at present, some parts of the site of this mighty fort are in the state of ruins, but still there is enough to explore. The government is continuously making efforts to restore the previous glory of the Nagara fort by rebuilding the damaged parts using red bricks. Other than exploring the ruins and watching the newly rebuilt parts, another exclusive feature which catches the attention of a number of travellers is the scenic landscape surrounding the Nagara fort. If you are still searching reasons for visiting this historical tourist place in Karnataka, then we have already prepared a list of compelling features of the Nagara Fort.
- Rich Historical Past: The Nagara village as well as Nagara Fort, located in Shivamogga district are of significant historical importance. It is believed that the Nagara Fort was built by Veerabhadra Nayaka of Keladi dynasty in the year 1640, after the original capital of Keladi – Ikkeri was lost to the Sultans of Bijapur. Shivappa Nayaka succeeded Veerabhadra Nayaka and is credited for taking the Keladi dynasty to its peak as well as for improving the Nagara Fort. Also, the son of Shivaji Maharaj of Maharashtra, Raja Ram is even believed to have taken asylum in the mighty Nagara Fort. Brave rulers of the Keladi dynasty such as Shivappa Nayaka and Rani Keladi Chennama successfully defended their land against pretty powerful enemies with the help of Nagara fort. Later, in 1763, the Nagara fort fell to Haider Ali.
- Surrounded By A Scenic Landscape: The stunning backwaters of the Linganamakki Dam that is built on the Sharavathi river along with the lush green dense forest area prove to be a beautiful landscape surrounding the fort premises. Moreover, since the Nagara fort lies on a raised platform, along with the beautiful view of the surroundings, one can also witness the striking beauty of the Western Ghats.
- Things To See At Nagara Fort: Though small but tourists can even now see some interesting foundations of the Durbar Hall of Shivappa Nayaka at the fort structure. Other things that you can see here include remains of the palace, storage facilities, canons, watch towers and guard rooms. There are dry wells and tiny caves too which were used as safe exit for royal families, in case of emergencies.
- Architectural brilliance: One can see that the exterior walls as well as the main entrance of the Nagara fort are largely intact till date. This helps us understand as well as appreciate the rich history and architectural brilliance of the past times. Another interesting thing about the construction of the Nagara fort is that it was carefully built next to a lake and had amazing provisions for water circulation, so that in times of war, the Nagara fort was self-sufficient in itself.
Nagara Fort Timings
There are as such no specific timings for visiting tourist places in Karnataka. It is open all the time for visitors. However, keeping in mind the dangerous structure, ruins and safety, most of the travellers who plan to visit the Nagara Fort come and go between 6 AM till 6 PM.
What Is The Best Way To Reach The Nagara Fort in Kodachadri?
Since the Nagara fort is a popular historical tourist place in Karnataka, finding your way there is not difficult. It is accessible by multiple means of transport. You can reach it by:
- By Air: The nearest airports to reach the Nagara Fort are located in Bengaluru and Mangaluru. The Bengaluru international airport is located at a distance of about 384 km from the fort and the Mangaluru airport is approximately 142 km away from the place.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach Nagara fort is located in the Sagara city. The station is about 57 km away from the Nagara fort. From the station, you can easily hire a taxi or take a cab to reach your final destination.
- By Road: You will be pleased to know that the Nagara Fort can be easily reached via roads from various cities in coastal Karnataka and Malnad region (Western Ghats) such as Sagara, Udupi, Kollur, Thirthahalli and Kundapura. Bus services are available from these cities on a regular basis to reach Nagara. One can also travel by personal vehicle or hire a taxi.
Best Time To Visit The Nagara Fort
For the best experience it is recommended that you visit the Nagara fort in early morning hours, as scorching heat may make sightseeing difficult and as the sun sets it becomes a bit difficult to fully explore the place.
Places to Visit Nearby Nagara Fort
There are many interesting places located close to Nagara fort. Some of the places you can include in your itinerary are:
- Kodachadri Hills: Located about 30 km away from Nagara, these mountain peaks surrounded with lush green forests in the Western Ghats are considered as the 13th highest peak of Karnataka and are definitely worth a visit.
Image Source - Kollur: This is a small temple town in the Udupi district, located at a distance of about 46 km from Nagara. This village lying at the foot of the Western Ghats, is mainly popular for housing the Mookambika temple which is a well – known Hindu pilgrim center.
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No matter whether you are looking forward to clicking some stunning pictures in a naturally beautiful background or exploring the ruins and reflecting on the history, Nagara Fort will not disappoint you!