I’ve been traveling on the highway for the past hour and have now ridden outside of Hyderabad. Even though it was only six in the morning, traffic was mildly high on the road. I stopped near a small rain-fed lake to click some pictures. It was then that I noticed a huge egg-shaped hill far away. It looks like a huge turtle from a distance. I started my motorcycle and rode towards Bhongir. Not many people know about this place, and a weekend trip to Bhogir fort can be a perfect day activity if you are staying in Hyderabad.
History of Bhongir
If you are visiting Bhongir, it will add some meaning if you learn a little bit about its history. Do you know that there is a secret tunnel from Bhongir fort to the Golconda fort? I am not sure how much of this is true, and there is no official report on the same.
The Chalukyas were one of the powerful dynasties of South India. It had two branches, western and eastern Chalukya. The Western Chalukyas ruled over the western Deccan, which includes the present day Karnataka and Hyderabad, and the latter ruled over the eastern Deccan region. Tribhuvana Malla Vikramaditya VI was a ruler of the Western Chalukya Dynasty. The Bhongir fort was built during the 10th century AD by Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI.
The fort was named ‘Tribhuvanagiri’, later renamed as Bhuvanagir and then to Bhongir. It is built on a 500-foot monolithic rock that is spread over 50 acres. It was considered impregnable.
A moat was also built, circling the fort, with many underground chambers. One of such chambers is believed to have a secret passage to Golconda.
Later, the Kakatiya dynasty ruled the region and considered it to be the golden period of Bhogir under the patronage of queen Rudramadevi. During the 15th century, it was under the control of the Bahamani Sultans and later the Nizams of Hyderabad.
Trip To Bhongir Fort
How to reach the Bhongir fort
The fort is located in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District of Telangana State. It is at a distance of 36 km from Hyderabad. It also varies from which part of Hyderabad you are traveling from. If you take the ORR(Outer Ring Road), it is 78 km from the Hyderabad airport. The nearest railway station is Secunderabad Railway Station, which is 53 km away.
There are also bus services from Hyderabad, and it lies on the Hyderabad-Warangal route.
Bhongir Fort admission and parking
An entry ticket costs 10 rupees, and there is a small parking space in front of the main gate. If you have a car, you can take the small road on the right side and park near the temple.
Hike to the top
A panoramic view of the entire road and the fort is revealed once you cross the main gate. The climb to the fort starts with a gentle slope and gradually becomes tough.
Steps are carved in the path that continues up a stone staircase that ends at the first gate. Even though they are in ruins, they can still convey the essence of their glorious past. The gate is constructed with a tower overlooking the town.
Once you cross the first gate, a steep climb will take you to a second gate. Both gates have lush green vegetation covering them, giving the impression of ancient ruins tucked away in the forest.
Halfway to the top
The stone steps vanish after the second gate, and a few meters of walking along the small trail will lead you to a courtyard-like structure. You can unwind there for a while, soaking up the cool breeze and enjoying the view of the small town below and the fields beyond.
Here you will be able to see a stone mantapa and two buildings on either side. The deep, water-filled moat can be seen on the left side. There are lotuses and water lilies growing in them, but it’s best to stay away from them due to the slick rocks. From there, it is a steep climb to the top. If you are not so good at climbing, there are steps with an iron railing installed.
Sometimes the wind is very strong in this part, so you need to be very careful when climbing.
On Top of Bhongir Fort
The ruins of the main building would be the first sight when you climbed up to the top. On the right side, there is a small platform with an old canon lying on the ground. The main building lies on a square platform with a maze of underground passages. Most of the buildings are now in ruins, and whatever is left stands there with pride. The building has two narrow staircases that lead to its top, where there is an incredible view.
There are not many people who are aware of Bhongir Fort, and it is very quiet and uncrowded. You could spend the entire day sitting in the backyard with an amazing view. There are a few ponds behind the main building complex.
Adventure activities in Bhongir Fort
Rappelling
If you are an adventure freak, there is an option for rappelling in Bhongir Fort. The rappelling experience can be scheduled at the rock climbing school, which is close to the main entrance. When visiting the fort, you absolutely must participate in these activities, which are led by qualified instructors.
Trekking
In order to reach the top, you need to trek for an hour. The time taken varies from person to person, and this is an easy trek near Hyderabad.
Where to stay and eat
Bhongir town is a very small one with limited hotels. As this is a one day trip, you can plan your accommodation in Hyderabad. This also lies on the Hyderabad-Warangal route. You will find a lot of roadside restaurants.
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Conclusion
If you live in Hyderabad, a weekend trip to the Bhongir fort can be the ideal day trip. Bhongir Fort is very quiet, not crowded, and only occasionally visited.Here, alone or with your family, you could spend the entire day. Additionally, this is the ideal location for people who want to try out outdoor activities like rock climbing and hiking.