Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Penukonda

The lost capital of the Vijayanagara kings.

Penukonda is a small town nestled in the mountain ranges of chilla pahad in the state of Andhra Pradesh.The town speaks much of the bygone era of the vijayanagara rulers and their rich history.Penukonda which was once the summer capital of  the Vijayanagara Royals is now but in ruins. 

Gagan mahal palace

The palace which was constructed by Krishnadevaraya was administered till the death of the first  king of the Aravidu dynasty Aliya rama raya, according to the locals this palace was mainly constructed for the king's wives and this palace is located in the foot of the hill fort of Penukonda.




A portrait of King krishnadevaraya inside the palace

 The Kalyani

 
The biggest kalyana found in Penukonda is this kalyani which is beside a Anjaneya temple in the town.The Rajaguru of Krishnadevaraya, Sri vyasarajaru who was a saint from the dvaita school has consecrated an idol of anjaneya inside the tank which can be seen when the tank is dry,it was done for the welfare of the people of Penukonda.
The local Gram panchayat had a undertaken a project in 2016 where the tank was desilted  and water was pumped out of the kalyani to see the Anjaneya idol which had gathered crowd from the surrounding villages.

Pache parshwanatha temple

This jain temple gets its name from the parshwanatha idol made of jade which is one of the precious mineral and this was once a jain populated area but due to increased influence of Vaishnavism the jains in the area decreased considerably.

The Parshwanatha idol made of jade

Idol of Sri mahavira

Timmarasu jail

The jail was constructed to timmarasu who was the minister of krishnadevaraya and who was accused of poisoning krishnadevaraya's son.


Timmarasu jail
Canon balls and some artefacts which were excavated

Water tank

This tank of the same era tells us that we had more better sustainable water technologies before the westerners knew what is technology,indeed it is a medieval wonder which speaks of the glorious past.

Nandi well

A well is one o the very unique wells which is an ancient one,the well has an arch like that of the bull which is called as Nandi in telugu and kannada.


Nandi Step Well
The beautiful sculptures on the walls of Nandi step well.


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