Telangana's New Adventure Destination

The historic Bhongir fort is being transformed into a perfect spot for adventure enthusiasts.

HYDERABAD: Bhongir Fort, a marvelous structure that emphasises the exemplary construction technology of the rulers of the state, is getting a new facelift.

The historic fort, constructed on a hill top, was neglected a lot in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh and though it has all the ingredients to be a perfect tourist spot, no measures were taken to improve it.

After formation of Telangana State, the  government is focusing on developing historic places as tourist spots. Bhongir fort also got its share and the government started renovation works to restore the past glory of the fort and to protect ancient monuments. 

Apart from making the Bhongir fort a tourist spot, it has also been transformed as a training spot for trekkers.

In an attempt to encourage trekkers from across the country, the Tourism department has started ‘Rock Climbing School’ at Bhongir. Its objective is to promote adventure tourism and to provide professional rock climbing training to enthusiasts.  The school is offering training in Basic and Advance Rock Climbing with grades. 

Additionally, 300 feet and 600 feet rappel is available for tourists. This is now attracting a lot of youth towards Bhongir. Social welfare Gurukul students Poorna and others, who climbed Himalayan terrain recently and shot into fame, were also successfully trained at Bhongir fort.

In the united AP state, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) proposed a passenger rope-way with four cabins having a capacity of each cabin carrying four to six passengers from the base of hillock to the fort on Public Private Partnership (PPP) on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis with an estimated cost of `6.10 crore. However, the project did not get completed till now.

About Bhongir Fort

The fort was built on an isolated monolithic rock by the Western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and was thus named after him as Tribhuvanagiri.  Gradually it became Bhuvanagiri and subsequently Bhongir. At the foot of the fortified rocks 609.6 meters above the sea level stands the town of Bhongir.

On the other side there is a steep trek through a winding pathway to reach the Fort. It has a unique egg-shaped construction with two entry points protected by huge rocks and is considered impregnable by invading armies. The splendid historical fort with the awe-inspiring rock and the aesthetically fortified courts have stood the ravages of time. The Bhongir Fort is managed by the state Archaeology and Museums Department.

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