Tale Of Udayagiri; The Forgotten Crown Of Andhra
Among its treasures is the Krishna Temple—a marvel in stone, its sanctum crowned with a towering brick shikhara: Reports
NELLORE: High above the plains of Nellore district, wrapped in a shroud of ancient legends and morning mist, rises the majestic fort on the Udayagiri Hill—a slumbering giant of stone and silence. Towering 1,000 metres above the sea level, this grand old sentinel has watched over the centuries war, worship and wonder. It is not just a fort, it is a forgotten kingdom echoing with tales of kings, gods and time itself.
Udayagiri Fort is testament to clangs of clashing swords and prayers of pilgrims. The fort, said to be the first built by the Gajapati dynasty, subsequently ruled by Aswapathis, Vadiyas, and later conquered by the legendary Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar, had been more than a military citadel—it is a living city of temples, palaces and culture.
Udayagiri Fort is no ordinary bastion. The hill has 13 distinct forts, spread like jewels across the rugged hill and its base—eight above, five below. Within its stone ribs lie temples carved in reverence, royal quarters echoing lost laughter, and the tombs of those who once shaped dynasties. From its heights, one can glimpse both eternity and empire.
Among its treasures is the Krishna Temple—a marvel in stone, its sanctum crowned with a towering brick shikhara.
Carvings of Lord Krishna’s playful pastimes grace the walls, with massive stone pillars whispering stories of His divine childhood. So captivating is the idol of Bala Krishna that when Krishnadevaraya conquered Udayagiri, he carried the idol with Him in reverence to wrap it in jewels and enshrine it on February 21, 1515 CE at Krishnapuram in Hampi.
Today, Krishna Temple remains wounded but dignified. Its Gopuram is partly broken. Its carvings faded. It yet clings to the legacy of one of India’s greatest kings.
Another jewel is the Ranganayakula Temple. Once surrounded by a high-walled courtyard and echoing with Vaishnava hymns, it is now in ruins. Its shrines and halls, built in the late 16th Century by Timmaraju, now lie scattered like the forgotten chapters of a sacred book.
For all its glory, Udayagiri now sleeps—choked by weeds, neglected and unsung. Tourists rarely find their way here. There are no guides to narrate its epics. No signs to mark its marvels. The steep steps are broken. The trails overgrown. Even basic amenities—water, rest stops and accommodations—are missing.
Despite being under the Archaeological Survey of India, Amaravati Circle, and despite past promises by different governments, Udayagiri has never been truly given its due. Then came major tourism initiatives like the Swadesh Darshan. Funds got allocated and plans drawn. But neither materialised.
Imagine Udayagiri reborn. Trekking paths carved safely along its flanks. Information panels telling its layered history. Night illuminations casting golden halos on its ruined temples. Local guides bringing its myths to life. Cultural festivals reviving its past grandeur.
In the words of a native of the ancient town Udayagiri Fayaz, “Udayagiri doesn’t speak, but it waits. It waits for historians, tourists and storytellers to bring it back to life. It waits for the government to remember that true wealth lies not just in skyscrapers but in stone, in story, in soul.”