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Spectrum Tour offer Gingee Fort, Gingee Fort Chennai,
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Gingee Fort Chennai
GINGEE FORT CHENNAI
A visit to Gingee, also known as the Senji Fort is a must see when in Chennai. Gingee, immortalised by Raja Desingh’s ballad as the Troy of the East is a popular escape in south India, and has a significant place in Tamil history. A king could be king as long as he was invincible, and the Gingee Fort is a fine example of invincibility. Legend has it that the name Gingee or Senji is derived from Senji Amman, a virgin goddess.
The place has a long and enviable history. dating back to the Jains who are believed to have lived here from 200 BC to 500 AD. The rock-cut sculptures provide ample evidence. Gingee subsequently came under the reign of the Pallavas and then the Cholas.
The original fort was built by the Cholas in the 10th century and since then the fort has had numerous shifts in power. It was modified by the Vijayanagar empire in the 15th century. It also served as a Maratha stronghold during the reign of Shivaji till it fell to the Moghuls. After the Moghuls, it was occupied by the French for a brief period and finally came under British control in 1761. And Gingee Fort never witnessed war again.
The chequered history of Gingee isclearly reflected in the architecture of the structures that stand as a mute witness. Presently, it serves as a museum preserving the many historic buildings. The fort is situated at a height of 800 ft, and is surrounded by an 80 ft-wide moat. The massive 20 mt thick walls of the fort interconnect the three inaccessible hills – Krishnagiri, Chandrayandurg and Rajagiri. The three hill tops form impregnable citadels, while the inner fort contains many fortifications and gates.
An uneven flight of steps takes one up along the rocky barren hill track, which may make the visit to the fort a tad difficult. The fort encompasses temples, a mosque, a gymnasium, an audience hall, a stable, a palace, a clock tower, a treasury in Indo-Islamic style, a store-house for grains and explosives, and the Elephant’s Tank.
The Gingee Fort today is a traumatised collage of jutting rocks, broken fort walls, disfigured sculptures, temple carvings and muddied waters of the royal tank. However, the remains, even in their shrunken voluptuousness, stand testimony to the remarkable details and artistry of their makers and speak volumes of the glorious past.
GETTING THERE
Chennai is the nearest airport and the nearest broad gauge railhead, with a meter gauge running from there to Tindivanam. Take NH45 from Chennai to Tindivanam (120 km) and then NH66 to Gingee (30 km).
WHERE TO STAY
Gingee offers accomodations for all pockets. Take your pick from some of the budget hotels, and for a comfortable stay, opt for Hotel Nala Residency or Hotel Trishul amongst others in Thiruvannamalai.
A visit to Gingee, also known as the Senji Fort is a must see when in Chennai. Gingee, immortalised by Raja Desingh’s ballad as the Troy of the East is a popular escape in south India, and has a significant place in Tamil history. A king could be king as long as he was invincible, and the Gingee Fort is a fine example of invincibility. Legend has it that the name Gingee or Senji is derived from Senji Amman, a virgin goddess.
The place has a long and enviable history. dating back to the Jains who are believed to have lived here from 200 BC to 500 AD. The rock-cut sculptures provide ample evidence. Gingee subsequently came under the reign of the Pallavas and then the Cholas.
The original fort was built by the Cholas in the 10th century and since then the fort has had numerous shifts in power. It was modified by the Vijayanagar empire in the 15th century. It also served as a Maratha stronghold during the reign of Shivaji till it fell to the Moghuls. After the Moghuls, it was occupied by the French for a brief period and finally came under British control in 1761. And Gingee Fort never witnessed war again.
The chequered history of Gingee isclearly reflected in the architecture of the structures that stand as a mute witness. Presently, it serves as a museum preserving the many historic buildings. The fort is situated at a height of 800 ft, and is surrounded by an 80 ft-wide moat. The massive 20 mt thick walls of the fort interconnect the three inaccessible hills – Krishnagiri, Chandrayandurg and Rajagiri. The three hill tops form impregnable citadels, while the inner fort contains many fortifications and gates.
An uneven flight of steps takes one up along the rocky barren hill track, which may make the visit to the fort a tad difficult. The fort encompasses temples, a mosque, a gymnasium, an audience hall, a stable, a palace, a clock tower, a treasury in Indo-Islamic style, a store-house for grains and explosives, and the Elephant’s Tank.
The Gingee Fort today is a traumatised collage of jutting rocks, broken fort walls, disfigured sculptures, temple carvings and muddied waters of the royal tank. However, the remains, even in their shrunken voluptuousness, stand testimony to the remarkable details and artistry of their makers and speak volumes of the glorious past.
GETTING THERE
Chennai is the nearest airport and the nearest broad gauge railhead, with a meter gauge running from there to Tindivanam. Take NH45 from Chennai to Tindivanam (120 km) and then NH66 to Gingee (30 km).
WHERE TO STAY
Gingee offers accomodations for all pockets. Take your pick from some of the budget hotels, and for a comfortable stay, opt for Hotel Nala Residency or Hotel Trishul amongst others in Thiruvannamalai.
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