Compiled by London swaminathan

swami_48@yahoo.com

Date: 23 April 2019

British Summer Time uploaded in London – 15-18

Post No. 6301

Pictures shown here are taken by London swaminathan

This is a non- commercial blog. ((posted by swamiindology.blogspot.com AND tamilandvedas.com))

Warning
Though I was not able to see the forts or the temples I am writing about it to warn the future visitors. No book told us that the temples and the forts are under the control of the archaeological department and so they will be closed at 4 pm. Since we visited the place during summer we thought it would be wise to go in the afternoon. But at quarter to four the staff started closing the main gates. With his permission I ran inside and took some pictures. So please find out the opening and closing times of the places, particularly under government control. As a result of this limited opening hours that is 10- 4 we missed all the temples and the forts.

Date of our visit – 24-3-2019


Where is it?

28 kilometres from Tindivanam in Viluppuram district.

29 kilomtres from Tiruvannamalai.

What is there?
Gingee has three inaccessible hills- KRISHNAGIRI, CHANDRAGIRI AND RAJA GIRI.

The three hills with forts are covered with massive fortification walls. The Rajagiri citadel is the highest with 800 feet in height. It is the most inaccessible with 20 meters deep chasm. Now it is connected by a bridge.

Period- Ninth Century to 13^th century

Barracks and Stables
A series of low vaulted and arched cells on the western side of the Kalyana Mahal are referred to as the barracks and stables.
The archaeological conservation training camp is located here.

Anaikulam
Located on the south of the barracks, the Anaikkulam is a fine tank built of stone with cloistered mandapa surrounding it.

Granary and Gymnasium
This is the largest granary built in stone with a spacious entrance passage. The walls are nearly three meters thick. The stucco decorations outside area are typical of the Vijayanagaram period.
A stone structure with a barrel vaulted roof found on the north eastern side of the granary is said to be the Gymnasium.

Venkatramanana Temple

This sprawling temple with its striking pillars with carved sculptures narrates the aesthetic skills of the Nayaks. Many Tamil inscriptions are found in the walls of the Mandapas.

Venugopalaswami Temple 

Located to the west of the inner gate of the lower citadel, this temple contains a remarkable statue of Lord Krishna playing on the flute with his consorts on his tow. A finely polished, broad and smooth slab found in front of the temple is another striking feature.

Kamalakkanni Amman Temple 

This temple contains a sacrificial altar and well preserved mural paintings belonging to the Nayak period.

Citadel on Rajagiri hill

On top of Rajagiri Hill, an audience Hall built in typical Indo Islamic style, is a domed roof supported by a series of graceful little pointed arches.
The magazine building is also a noteworthy structure.

The Ranganath temple is built in a typical Vijayanagar style. A big iron cannon, four meters long and two metres in circumference can be seen there.

Two kilometers from Chenji (Gingee) is Thiru Nathar Kundru (hill). The hillock on the western side of the road has two Jain caves and a huge boulder containing sculptures of all the 24 Theerthankaras (Jain Saints) in the ninth century style. An open rock nearby was the place where monk Chandranandi observed 57 days of fasting and died around sixth century CE.

Information from tourist book

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