Khammam Fort is a granite hill fort in the heart of Khammam town, in Khammam district of Telangana, begun under the Kakatiyas and extended by later rulers including the Qutb Shahis of Golconda. Locally it is tied to the hill called Stambhadri, which gives the town its older name, and the ramparts still climb the rock above the modern city.
Khammam Fort, also known as Stambhadri or Khammam Khilla, is a hill fort in Khammam town, Telangana, roughly 200 km east of Hyderabad. Its foundation is dated to around 950 CE under the Kakatiya period, and it was later held by Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahi, Mughal and Asaf Jahi rulers before the Archaeological Survey of India protected it in 2005.
Key takeaways
- Khammam Fort sits on the Stambhadri hill in Khammam town, Telangana; its foundation is dated to about 950 CE in the Kakatiya period, with granite walls added later.
- The fort has 10 gateways and about 15 double-walled bastions built to absorb cannon fire, with ramparts 40–80 feet high, according to Telangana360 and Wikipedia.
- Entry is free and the climb is open through daylight, usually about 9 am–5 pm; there is no confirmed sound-and-light show or night access as of October 2026.
- It is roughly 200 km from Hyderabad by NH65 (about 3.5–4 hours); Khammam railway station is about 2 km from the fort.
- October to February is the comfortable season for the open, shadeless climb; carry water and start early.
- A ₹29 crore ropeway and a fort-and-stepwell facelift with the state Archaeology department were announced for the site, per Telangana Today (reconfirm status before you travel).
About Khammam Fort and quick facts
Khammam Fort is a hilltop stone fortress rising above Khammam town in eastern Telangana, built in stages over several centuries on a granite outcrop. The fort is reached by a flight of steps and rewards the short climb with wide views over the district headquarters and the plains around it.
The fort’s older name, Stambhadri, survives in the town’s annual cultural event, Stambhadri Sambaralu, and in the Stambhadri hills on which it stands. The English name Khammam is widely traced to the hill and an older form of the town’s name. For a wider Telangana itinerary, see our Telangana travel guide.
| Location | Khammam town, Khammam district, Telangana |
|---|---|
| Also called | Stambhadri, Khammam Khilla |
| Founded | Dated to around 950 CE, Kakatiya period |
| Material | Granite (walls built without mortar); earliest fort was of mud |
| Gateways / bastions | 10 gateways; about 15 bastions |
| Protected status | Protected monument, Archaeological Survey of India, 2005 |
| Entry | Free (reconfirm locally) |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
A layered history: Kakatiya to Qutb Shahi
Khammam Fort was begun under the Kakatiyas, with its foundation dated to around 950 CE, and was reworked by a long line of later rulers rather than built in a single reign. The structure you see is the sum of mud-walled beginnings and later granite ramparts, which is why accounts of its builders differ by source.
According to the account on Telangana360, the early fort is linked to the Kakatiya period and later the Padmanayaka (Velama) line, with the Bahmani commander Shitab Khan holding Khammam as a jagir (land grant) in the early 1500s. The same source records that Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara captured the fort in 1515.
The Qutb Shahi kings of Golconda then controlled Khammam through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; exact dates vary across sources, with Wikipedia’s summary giving Qutb Shahi control from 1518 to 1687. Aurangzeb’s Mughals took the fort in 1687, after which it passed to the Asaf Jahi Nizams, whose official Zafar-ud-doula is credited with renovating it and building the stepwell that carries his name. Treat the dynastic dates as approximate; sources disagree in detail.
Best time to visit Khammam Fort
The best time to visit Khammam Fort is October to February, when the Telangana plains are cool enough for an open, shadeless climb. The fort has little shade on its upper ramparts, so even in winter it is worth starting in the morning or coming an hour before sunset.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–February | Comfortable; the recommended window for the climb and views |
| Summer | March–June | Hot on the exposed rock; visit early morning only, carry water |
| Monsoon | July–September | Greener surrounds but steps can be slippery; watch your footing |
How to reach Khammam Fort
Khammam Fort is about 200 km east of Hyderabad and is most easily reached by road along NH65, a drive of roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, according to Telangana360. The fort sits within Khammam town, so once you are in the town it is a short local hop to the base of the steps.
By air: the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, about 200 km away; from there it is a road or rail transfer to Khammam. By rail: Khammam railway station lies on the busy Kazipet–Vijayawada line and is about 2 km from the fort; Vijayawada Junction is roughly 96–100 km away and well connected. By road: Khammam bus stand is about 3 km from the fort, with TSRTC and private services from Hyderabad, Warangal and Vijayawada.
| From | Distance | Typical mode |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | about 200 km | Road (NH65) / rail |
| Vijayawada Junction | about 96–100 km | Rail / road |
| Warangal | about 98 km | Rail / road |
| Khammam railway station to fort | about 2 km | Auto / taxi |
What to see at the fort
The main things to see at Khammam Fort are its gateways, its double-walled bastions and the stepwell below, all set along a rampart circuit on the granite hill. The fort has 10 gateways and about 15 bastions, and its walls run 40 to 80 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide, built from large granite blocks laid without mortar, according to Telangana360 and Wikipedia.
- Khilla Darwaza: described as the main entrance, about 30 feet tall, with emplacements that once held cannons on either side.
- Bastions: the roughly 15 bastions were built with twin walls intended to absorb cannon fire, and the fort could reportedly mount at least 60 cannons.
- Zafar stepwell (Zafar well): a large stepped water structure below the fort, attributed to the Asaf Jahi official Zafar-ud-doula, set for a facelift with the state Archaeology department, per Telangana Today.
- Temples near the base: the Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple, described as older than the fort, and old Shiva shrines sit in the town around the hill.
| Feature | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Main gateway and climb | Stepped ascent through the Khilla Darwaza | 20–30 min |
| Rampart circuit and bastions | Walls, cannon emplacements, town views | 45–60 min |
| Zafar stepwell | Historic stepped well below the fort | 15–20 min |
A suggested half-day plan
Khammam Fort is comfortably a half-day visit, best paired with a town walk or a nearby lake. A simple plan:
- Early morning: reach the base of the steps by about 8–9 am, before the rock heats up.
- Morning: climb through the main gateway, walk the ramparts and bastions, and take in the views over Khammam town.
- Late morning: come down to see the Zafar stepwell and a temple near the base.
- Afternoon: drive out to Lakaram Lake in town, or set off toward Nelakondapalli or the Kinnerasani reservoir if you have a full day.
Where to stay in Khammam
Khammam town has mostly budget and mid-range hotels rather than luxury resorts, which suits a short fort visit. Rooms cluster near the bus stand and railway station, both within a few kilometres of the fort.
- Budget: simple lodges and guesthouses, roughly ₹700–₹1,500 a night (indicative planning estimate, October 2026 — reconfirm).
- Mid-range: business-style hotels, roughly ₹1,800–₹3,500 a night (indicative — reconfirm).
- Upmarket: options are limited in town; many travellers base themselves in Vijayawada or Hyderabad for more choice.
Book ahead during Stambhadri Sambaralu and other local festival dates, when rooms fill quickly. Prices above are planning estimates only and were not confirmed with individual hotels this session.
Food to try
Khammam’s food is Telangana home cooking, built around rice, lentils and chilli heat. Look for these at local eateries:
- Sarva pindi (a thick, spiced rice-flour pancake studded with peanuts and chillies).
- Pappu (dal, often cooked with greens such as spinach or tamarind-sour gongura leaves).
- Hyderabadi biryani (layered rice and meat), widely available across the region.
- Filter kaapi (strong South Indian filter coffee) and local sweets at town cafes.
A sample budget
A visit to Khammam Fort itself costs very little, since entry is free; most of your spend is on getting to Khammam and staying overnight. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a one-night trip, as of October 2026, assuming two people sharing a mid-range room and using buses or shared taxis.
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fort entry | Free |
| Return transport from Hyderabad (bus/train) | ₹600–₹1,400 |
| One night, mid-range room (per person, sharing) | ₹900–₹1,800 |
| Meals and coffee (one day) | ₹400–₹700 |
| Local autos and incidentals | ₹200–₹400 |
| Approximate total | ₹2,100–₹4,300 |
These are indicative planning figures, not quoted fares; reconfirm train, bus and hotel prices before you travel.
Permits, rules and photography
No special permit is required to visit Khammam Fort; it is an open, ASI-protected hill fort in a town, not a restricted or border area. Ordinary photography for personal use is generally fine at such sites, but tripods, drones or any commercial shoot usually need prior permission from the Archaeological Survey of India, so ask before setting up.
As at any protected monument, do not climb on or deface the walls, carry out your litter, and avoid plastic where possible. There is no entry ticket reported for the fort, but confirm this and any filming rules on the spot.
Practical tips
- Timing: the climb is open through daylight, usually about 9 am to 5 pm; there is no confirmed night access or sound-and-light show as of October 2026, despite past proposals for lighting.
- Heat and water: the upper fort is exposed granite with little shade. Carry water, wear a hat and sturdy shoes, and avoid the midday sun in summer.
- Cash and UPI: Khammam town has ATMs and wide UPI acceptance; keep some cash for autos and small eateries.
- Medical: Khammam is a district headquarters with a government hospital and private clinics, a few kilometres from the fort.
- Solo and women travellers: the fort is a local landmark and generally busy by day; as anywhere, prefer daylight hours and come down before dusk.
- Development works: a ₹29 crore ropeway and a fort-and-stepwell facelift were announced per Telangana Today, so expect some construction activity; reconfirm access before you go.
Nearby places
Khammam district has lakes, a Buddhist site and a reservoir within a short drive, which pair well with the fort. For context on the wider state, our Telangana travel guide sets out regions and routes.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Lakaram Lake | In Khammam town | City lake and lakefront, an easy add-on to the fort |
| Nelakondapalli | about 20 km | Ancient site linked to a Buddhist stupa and early dynasties |
| Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary / reservoir | within the district | Reservoir, forest and birdlife for a longer day out |
| Bhadrachalam | within the district | Well-known Rama temple town on the Godavari (reconfirm current district boundaries) |
Distances are approximate; confirm road conditions and timings locally, and check which places fall within the current Khammam district limits.
Frequently asked questions
Who built Khammam Fort?
Khammam Fort was begun under the Kakatiyas, with its foundation dated to around 950 CE, and later reworked by several rulers. Over the centuries it was held by Vijayanagara, the Qutb Shahis of Golconda, the Mughals and the Asaf Jahi Nizams, so its gates, walls and stepwell reflect more than one era rather than a single builder.
What is the entry fee and timings for Khammam Fort?
Entry to Khammam Fort is reported as free, with no ticket required, and the climb is open through daylight, commonly listed as about 9 am to 5 pm. As fees and hours can change at protected monuments, reconfirm locally or with the Archaeological Survey of India before you visit, especially during ongoing development works.
How do I reach Khammam Fort from Hyderabad?
Khammam Fort is about 200 km east of Hyderabad, roughly a 3.5 to 4 hour drive on NH65. You can also take a train to Khammam railway station, about 2 km from the fort on the Kazipet–Vijayawada line, or a TSRTC bus to Khammam bus stand, about 3 km away.
Is there a sound-and-light show or night viewing at Khammam Fort?
As of October 2026, there is no confirmed sound-and-light show or official night access at Khammam Fort. Solar lighting and tourism upgrades, including a ropeway and a stepwell facelift, have been proposed or announced, but a night-viewing experience was not verified for this guide. Treat the fort as a daytime visit and reconfirm before travelling.
How much time do I need at Khammam Fort?
Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours for Khammam Fort, allowing time for the stepped climb, a walk around the ramparts and bastions, and the Zafar stepwell below. With a half-day free you can add Lakaram Lake in town; a full day lets you reach Nelakondapalli or the Kinnerasani reservoir in the wider district.
What is the best time of year to visit Khammam Fort?
The best time to visit Khammam Fort is October to February, when the Telangana plains are cool enough for the open, shadeless climb. Summers from March to June are hot on the exposed granite, so visit early in the day; the monsoon can leave the steps slippery, so watch your footing on the ascent.
Last updated and sources
Khammam Fort suits history-minded travellers and anyone building a Telangana itinerary beyond Hyderabad; go in the cool October-to-February window and treat it as a morning or late-afternoon climb.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia, Khammam Fort (used to locate dynastic dates and structural details); Telangana360, Khammam Fort; Incredible India, Khammam itinerary; Telangana Today, Khammam Fort coverage (ropeway and stepwell facelift); RailYatri, Khammam (KMT) station (rail distances). Accessed October 2026.
