Indian Columbus

Penukonda, once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire after the fall of Hampi, is a treasure trove of architectural surprises and forgotten heritage. Amid its temples, forts, and water tanks, stands the Jamia Masjid . From a distance, the building may resemble a typical Vijayanagara-period mandapa. Indeed, it originally was. A classic hall with sturdy pillars, a simple sloping roof, and yalis (mythical lions) at the base, this mandapa was most likely part of a Shiva temple that stood within the Penukonda fort precincts. Today, that very mandapa serves as the front façade of the Jamia Masjid . An inscription found within the mosque clearly dates the mosque to 1668 CE , built by Abdul Hassan during the reign of Ali Adil Shah II of the Bijapur Sultanate .  Architecturally, the Jamia Masjid bears close resemblance to other Bijapuri mosques . Happy travelling.

Penukonda Fort – An Overlooked Chapter of Vijayanagara Splendour After the catastrophic fall of Hampi in 1565 CE following the Battle of Talikota, the glorious Vijayanagara Empire reeled under crisis. Amidst the ashes of destruction, the empire attempted to revive itself, choosing Penukonda , a strategically located town in present-day Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh, as its temporary capital. Penukonda Fort , sprawling across the Penukonda hill, became the epicentre of this renewed assertion of power. With multiple layers of fortification, secret water tanks, watch towers, temples, and a rich blend of architectural styles, it remains a lesser-visited gem. Among its many hidden structures is a humble, almost unassuming building tied to one of the most tragic episodes in Vijayanagara history, the imprisonment of Timmarusu . Who Was Timmarusu? Mahapratihara Timmarusu was the trusted minister and mentor of Krishnadevaraya , one of the most celebrated emperors of South India...

  Penukonda is known as the second capital of the Vijayanagara Empire after the fall of Hampi. But tucked beyond its fort walls and palace ruins lies a lesser-known sacred space, a   Mahakali cave temple , nestled within natural boulders and reverently maintained by devotees. There isn't a grand mandapa or a multi-tiered tower. Instead, it's a shrine where  nature itself becomes the garbhagriha , where hills cradle the Divine Mother, and where silence reigns over any architectural elaboration. Penukonda Fort Maha Kali Cave Temple The Trail to Kali – Through Boulders, Painted Stones, and Wild Paths The journey to the Mahakali temple begins inside the fort's inner landscape, where the terrain transforms into rolling hillocks and scattered greenery. A short but uneven trek begins with large stone steps shaded by trees. Along the way, one encounters painted rock markings, some arrow signs, others with simple folk figures. These guide you across the rocky trail. One striking f...

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...