Gandikota The Grand Canyon of India

Gandikota The Grand Canyon of India

Always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona? Well, the Gandikota Canyon is just as beautiful. Located in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, Gandikota is a village that houses the Grand Canyon of India. The river Pennar cuts through the Erramala hills, forming a gorge that tourists call the Grand Canyon of India. The architecture by nature at this beautiful gorge has an uncanny resemblance to the original Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Best time to visit Gandikota

The best time to visit Gandikota Grand Canyon is from September to February. The weather is pleasant during these months and is even ideal for camping. One can camp out under the stars on the gorge and enjoy the sunrise over the Pennar river.

Avoid going in summers as it gets extremely hot and humid, and the temperature soars up to 45 degrees Celsius

How to Reach Grand Canyon

One can easily take a road trip from Bangalore or Hyderabad to the Grand Canyon of India. You can also take a train from Bangalore to Jammalamadugu. Gandikota is approximately 18 km from this station, and you can easily find a car to take you there.

Things to do in Gandikota

The stunning gorge, or the Gadikota Grand Canyon is one of the many locations you can explore in Gandikota. There are many things to do and places to explore here that will make your trip worthwhile.

Visit the Gandikota Fort

Built in the 13th century, the Gandikota fort spreads for miles and is known for its remarkable architecture and beauty. The fort was built with sandstone and intricate carvings, with beautiful palaces and springs to irrigate the vegetation. The Gandikota temple is situated adjacent to the fort and there is a mosque nearby too. Visiting this fort during the sunset is even more marvelous as the colours of the sun setting over the horizon make for great pictures. 

Visit the gorge and watch the magnificent Pennar river

The Pennar river flows through the stone gorge, making the most picturesque view you will ever see. This gorge is called the Grand Canyon of India, because like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the gorge is formed through the assembly of rocks, layered and cut most peculiarly. It almost seems like they were assembled by hand! Climbing up can be difficult, but the view from the top is worth the effort. Watch the pelicans fly over the Pennar River and the sun setting in the distance.

Apart from trekking, one can also indulge in many other adventure sports at the Grand Canyon of India. Tourists can enjoy kayaking, rock climbing, and rappelling at the gorge and camp out at night to enjoy the gorgeous sunrise over the Pennar River.

Visit the Belum Caves

Located an hour’s drive from the Grand Canyon of India, the Belum Caves are the second largest caves in India. The caves were formed from black limestone millions of years ago and have fascinated archaeologists, geologists, architecture, and history buffs over the years. The caves have

an uncanny resemblance to the Antelope Canyons in Arizona. The caves are 150 feet deep, and you can see the underwater stream flowing at the deepest point of the caves. There is also a tall 40-feet Buddha statue in the vicinity that one can visit.

Visit the Madhavaraya and Raghunathaswamy temples

Not too far from the Gandikota village, one can find the remains of the Madhavaraya temple and Raghunathaswamy temple. The architecture at these temples is something that one could lose themselves in. Made with red granite, the Raghunathaswamy temple does not have a single idol of any God or Goddess, giving it a mysterious air. The temple is a system of hallways, pillars, and corridors. The Madhavaraya temple, on the other hand, has many sculptures of Gods and Goddesses. The rituals of the people are carved on the pillars and granite walls of the temple.

The Grand Canyon of India is an offbeat and unique places in South India. The natural beauty combined with the adventure activities one can indulge in is brilliant. When are you planning your trip to the Grand Canyon of India?