Majesty of Gingee Fort!

Majesty of Gingee Fort!

Angela Chakraborty

Situated in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, the Gingee or Senji Fort is a treasure chest of architectural and cultural significance. It is located in the town of Gingee, which is about 160 kilometres southwest of Chennai, the state capital.

It was the month of January and I was staying in Pondicherry at my sister’s place. The scorching January heat was a shock to my systems, a far cry from the chilly winters we North-Easterns are accustomed to!

After gobbling up our heavy breakfast, we both were ready to set off for Gingee. We took a local bus to Pondicherry Bus Stand, and boarded another bus to Tindivanam Bus Stand, a convenient midpoint just 10 kilometres from our ultimate destination, Gingee.

Upon arriving in Tindivanam after a 2-hour bus journey from Pondicherry, we negotiated with an autorickshaw driver who agreed to transport us to Gingee Fort and collect us after we are finish exploring, and then return us to Tindivanam Bus Stop.

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After patiently waiting in a lengthy queue, we finally collected our tickets from the counter and were eager to start our adventure.

Let me begin by introducing the Gingee Fort.

The massive Fort was built by the Konar dynasty in the 15th century. However, it was later expanded by various rulers, including:

– The Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century

– The Nayaks of Gingee in the 16th and 17th centuries

– The Bijapur Sultanate in the 17th century

– The Maratha Empire in the 18th century

– The French East India Company in the 18th century

– The British East India Company in the 19th century

The Gingee fort is divided into three main sections:

1. Rajagiri Fort: This is the highest and most impressive part of the fort, consisting of 2000 steps and situated on a hill. It was the residence of the fort’s rulers, including the Vijayanagara Empire and the Nayaks of Gingee. This fort features impressive walls, bastions, temples and a majestic entrance.

2. Krishnagiri Fort: This section is located on a smaller hill with 800 steps and was used for military purposes, including storing arms and ammunition. It features strong walls, watchtowers and sentry posts.

3. Venugiri Fort (also known as Kattai Fort): This is the lowest section of the fort, situated in the valley. It was used for administrative purposes and features a temple, granaries, and other structures.

The majestic sight of the Rajagiri Fort left us awestruck, and impulsively, we chose to tackle the longest trail to reach the top, without considering the challenges that lay ahead.

From the garden, I gazed up at the fort’s towering peak, my heart racing with excitement, and set off with a bold spirit. Our trek was immediately joined by a troop of mischievous monkeys, who persistently followed us.

The stone steps were enormous and slippery, making every step a challenge. We came across a small Shiva temple after a 10 min walk, where a few people gathered before the Shivling. We offered our prayers to the Lord and moved forward.

One hour into our walk, we reached a stunning viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the entire city of Gingee. The sight of majestic boulders, appeared to be on the verge of rolling down, created a thrilling spectacle. We knew this was only a midpoint, and our ultimate destination still lay ahead.

We rested at a temple in the viewpoint, having the tangy oranges that we carried in our backpack and shared them with the curious monkeys that surrounded us.

After a 10-minute break, we continued towards the final summit. My legs began to feel numb and heavy, while the unbearable heat intensified the challenge. To make matters worse, we had brought only one bottle with us and we ran out of water.

The glimpse of the majestic fort’s top fueled us to push through the exhaustion and scale the endless steps to the very top.

After a final hour of ascent, we finally reached the top of the Rajagiri Fort, having climbed 2000 steps. The breathtaking panorama of the city unfolded before us, making us forget about the scorching heat.

 A soothing breeze rustled our hair, bringing relief from the heat. In this moment, we knew we had made the right choice in opting for the Rajagiri Fort over the Krishnagiri Fort, feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

After capturing the breathtaking views from the top and taking a short break, we reluctantly began our descent. Eventually, we returned to the serene garden where our journey began, resting under the cool shade of a tree, exhausted but thrilled by our adventure.

We prepared to depart and had called our autorickshaw driver to collect us at the gate, marking the end of our thrilling adventure and the time to bid goodbye to the majestic Gingee Fort.

As we boarded the bus from Tindivanam Bus Stop, headed to Pondicherry, our fatique and back pain were replaced by the vivid memory of the breathtaking view from the top, which continued to energize us.

The memories of our trek to the top of the Rajagiri Fort, the breathtaking views from above, and the rich history engraved in its stones will forever be embedded in our minds. The stunning presence and storied past of the Gingee Fort has left an unforgettable mark on our hearts.

Angela Chakraborty is a student of the Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University.

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