Kavaledurga, also known as Bhuvanagiri, is located in Thirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district. The fort is said to have been built in the 16th century by the Nayakas of Keladi.
After the fall of the Vijayanagara empire, Venkatappa Nayaka (1582-1629) further strengthened the hill fort. Despite the fort being in ruins today, the glory of its former magnificence is evident.
The fort is easily approachable by a motorable road located about 10 km from Thirthahalli. Access to the fort is by foot through verdant paddy fields and overgrown jungles.
The rainforest hides the magnificent fort from the eyes of the visitors until the last turn, where the grand view of the fortified walls suddenly comes into view. Gigantic jackfruit trees appear to reach the sky. Several temples dot the ruins. The idols seem abandoned. However, a few devout pilgrims still come to offer their prayers.
The fort has three successive fortifications with an entry for each. Each entry is flanked by guard rooms on each side that gives it an impregnable feeling.
Ensconced within the walls are several temples that are all carved out of black granite stone quarried from the summit of the hill.
The highlight of the fort is the summit which houses a Shiva temple that is now decrepit. Legend has it that there is a tunnel that originates from the base of the Shiva linga that goes into the nearest town.
The view from the top is sublime with the blue outline of the Western Ghats in the horizon. The impressive Varahi dam is towards the west; the brilliant sunset from the summit is not to be missed.
Further below is the palace which consisted of several hundred pillars. The ceiling of the palace is long gone but what remains lends a deeply mystical feel. The pillars reach the sky and give the impression of India's own version of Stonehenge.
Impressive engineering feats like a well-connected waterway, irrigation system and drainage including private bathrooms can be seen. There are at least three lakes that used to supply water to the fort. It appears that water was managed intelligently through a rainwater harvesting system and by interconnecting the lakes.
Kavaledurga is an ideal getaway for photographers, hobby historians, trekkers or someone who seeks open spaces. It enchants with its history, architecture and the impressive engineering of the fort. Kavaledurga is a must-see for anyone visiting Thirthahalli.