Indian Columbus

After the majestic city of Hampi fell into ruins following the Battle of Talikota in 1565 CE, the Vijayanagara Empire needed a new administrative seat. It was then that Penukonda , nestled amidst the arid hills of present-day Andhra Pradesh, rose to prominence as the second capital of the empire under Sri Krishnadevaraya . But Penukonda was not just a seat of administration. It was a formidable citadel, a stronghold that stood its ground long after Hampi’s temples fell silent. The fort here was known for its solid defence architecture; walls that whispered stories of loyalty, resistance, and eventual surrender. A Capital That Changed Hands Following the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, Penukonda didn’t fade into oblivion. Instead, it became a coveted strategic prize. It was first captured by the Sultan of Golconda , then taken over briefly by the Mysore kingdom , and eventually, after the fall of Tipu Sultan , came under the control of the British . Even with the passage of c...

Did you know that in the small village of Kanipakam , located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, there exists a temple where the deity is believed to grow in size? This is the Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple , more popularly called the Kanipakam Ganesha Temple . Photo courtesy: Wiki Commons Origin and Legends It is believed that the temple was originally constructed in the early 11th century CE by Kulotunga Chola I and later expanded by the Vijayanagara kings in the 14th or 15th century. But the temple’s true significance lies in its fascinating legends. Nearly a thousand years ago, three brothers lived near the present temple site. Each of them suffered from a physical disability; one was blind, another was deaf, and the third was mute. They survived by cultivating a small patch of land. One day, while they were drawing water from a well, the water ran dry. One brother climbed down to deepen the well and struck a stone with his spade. To his astonishment, blood began t...