Gurramkonda fort: a travel guide to the Annamayya hill fort

Gurramkonda is a hill-fort village in Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, about 30 km from Madanapalle, where a steep granite hill, a ruined citadel and a Nawab-era palace sit along the old Kadapa–Bengaluru road. This guide covers how to reach Gurramkonda, what survives on and below the hill, the best season to visit, and honest notes on where the record is thin.

Gurramkonda Fort, in Gurramkonda village of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, is a hilltop citadel attributed to the Vijayanagara period and later held by the Nawab of Kadapa. It is best visited between October and February as a half-day stop near Madanapalle, and it is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

About Gurramkonda fort

Gurramkonda Fort is a hill fort in Gurramkonda village, Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, described on Wikipedia as one of the oldest forts in the district. The village is a mandal headquarters that was part of Chittoor district until the new Annamayya district was formed on 4 April 2022. Do not confuse it with Penukonda Fort (Sri Sathya Sai district) or Gandikota (YSR Kadapa district), both separate Rayalaseema forts.

On the fort’s origins the record is mixed, and this guide reports only what cited sources say. Wikipedia, citing the Cuddapah district gazetteer, attributes the fort to the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire and records that it passed to Abdul Khan (Nawab of Kadapa) in 1714 CE. The name is usually read as “gurram” (horse) plus “konda” (hill): local accounts say rulers rode horses up the slope to a hilltop palace. Treat that etymology as tradition rather than documented history.

Later control is where popular histories and secondary sources disagree, so this guide does not fix dates. The town is sometimes said to have been called Zafarabad, and a tomb here is traditionally identified as that of a maternal relative of Tipu Sultan of Mysore. Because the Mysore-era sequence (Marathas, Haidar Ali, Tipu Sultan, the Nizam and the British) is not confirmed by the primary sources opened for this guide, the association is best described as local tradition that scholars have not settled. In 2015, The Times of India reported that heavy rain had unearthed an ancient structure within the fort.

Best time to visit Gurramkonda

The comfortable window to visit Gurramkonda is roughly October to February, when the Rayalaseema plains are at their coolest and driest. Summers from April to June are hot and expose you on the open hill; the southwest and northeast monsoon spells between June and October can make the climb slippery. A travel aggregator suggests September to December; treat all month-ranges below as planning guidance, not measured climate data, and check the forecast before you go.

How to reach Gurramkonda

Gurramkonda is easiest to reach by road from Madanapalle, about 30 km away, with the nearest railway station at Vayalpadu, roughly 18 km, and the nearest airport at Tirupati. The village lies on National Highway 340 along the Kadapa–Bengaluru axis, so most visitors arrive by bus or car rather than train.

• By air: Tirupati is the nearest airport. Distance figures vary across sources from about 110 km to 128 km; reconfirm before you book, then continue by road via Piler and Vayalpadu.
• By train: The nearest railway station is at Vayalpadu, about 18 km away, per travel listings. From there continue by bus or auto to Gurramkonda.
• By road: Direct buses run from Madanapalle, Piler and Vayalpadu, according to travel guides. Self-drivers follow the Kadapa–Bengaluru road (NH 340).

Kadapa (YSR Kadapa district) lies along the same highway corridor, but this guide found no reliable point-to-point figure, so none is quoted. For a wider trip you can pair the fort with Andhra’s coastal cities covered in our Vijayawada travel guide.

Things to see on and below the hill

The main sights are the hilltop citadel and, at its base, the Rangin Mahal palace, a Sufi dargah and a domed tomb. Wikipedia lists the Rangin Mahal, the Dargah of Hazrat Shah Kamal, the Ananta Padmanabha Temple and a water pond on the hilltop among the places to see; a separate tomb of Nawab Mir Raza Ali Khan stands in the Maqbara area.

• The hill citadel: A steep granite hill carries the fort’s walls and bastions. The climb is unshaded; allow time and water.
• Rangin Mahal: A Nawab-era palace at the foot of the hill, described in local accounts as the ruler’s administrative building. Details of its storeys are not reliably documented.
• Dargah of Hazrat Shah Kamal: The shrine of a Sufi saint said to have come from Kerman in Persia and settled here; a living place of worship, so dress and behave respectfully.
• Maqbara (tomb of Nawab Mir Raza Ali Khan): A dome-topped tomb, traditionally linked to Tipu Sultan’s family; the link is local tradition, not settled history.
• Ananta Padmanabha Temple and hilltop pond: A temple and a water tank associated with the site.

A suggested half-day itinerary

Gurramkonda works best as a half-day stop built around a morning climb, ideally based in Madanapalle. A sample plan:

• Early morning: Drive from Madanapalle (about 30 km); reach Gurramkonda before the heat builds.
• Morning: Climb the hill citadel while it is cool; carry water and wear grippy shoes.
• Late morning: Descend to the Rangin Mahal, the dargah of Hazrat Shah Kamal and the Maqbara tomb at the base.
• Midday: Return to Madanapalle for lunch, or continue along the Kadapa–Bengaluru road.

If you have a full day, combine the fort with the cooler hill climate around Madanapalle before heading on.

Where to stay

There is no notable tourist accommodation in Gurramkonda itself, so plan to stay in Madanapalle, about 30 km away, which has the nearest cluster of hotels and lodges. One travel listing explicitly notes no accommodation is available at Gurramkonda. The bands below are indicative planning estimates and must be reconfirmed at booking.

Rates are not verified live and will move with season and demand; treat them as a starting point only.

Food to try

Around Gurramkonda you eat Rayalaseema food, the robust, often spicy cuisine of inland Andhra Pradesh, in Madanapalle’s eateries rather than at the fort itself. There are no visitor restaurants on the hill, so carry water and snacks for the climb and eat in town.

• Ragi sangati (steamed finger-millet balls) eaten with a spicy curry — a Rayalaseema staple.
• Natu kodi pulusu (country-chicken curry) — a regional non-vegetarian favourite.
• Andhra meals (thali) — rice with assorted curries, pappu (lentils), rasam (thin tamarind soup) and pickle.
• Karam dosa (dosa with a spicy chutney spread) — common at Rayalaseema tiffin places.

Budget breakdown

A simple day trip to Gurramkonda from Madanapalle can cost roughly ₹600–₹1,200 per person, excluding your onward hotel, if you share a vehicle and eat local. The table below is a planning estimate, not a quote, and assumes two people sharing local transport and a basic lunch.

Timings, permits and rules

No special permit is needed to visit Gurramkonda — it is an open heritage site, not a restricted or inner-line area. As the site is listed under the Archaeological Survey of India (Chittoor), ASI’s general conduct rules apply: do not deface or climb on fragile masonry, and do not remove stones or artefacts. Visiting hours are reported by one travel listing as about 8 am to 6 pm daily, and no formal entry ticket was confirmed for this guide; reconfirm both locally, as this guide could not verify an official timing or fee from a primary source.

• The dargah is an active place of worship: dress modestly and remove footwear where asked.
• For drone photography, follow the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s drone rules and seek any local permission; heritage and crowd sites often restrict flying.
• Carry out your litter; Andhra Pradesh enforces single-use-plastic restrictions.

Practical tips

Treat Gurramkonda as a short, self-sufficient stop: there are few visitor facilities on the hill, so bring what you need. The practical notes below reflect the rural setting rather than a resort town.

• Water and sun: The climb is open and unshaded. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and start early in the warmer months.
• Footwear: The granite can be loose or slippery; wear shoes with grip, not sandals.
• Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for buses, autos and small shops; ATMs and card acceptance are concentrated in Madanapalle, not at the fort.
• Health: The nearest sizeable hospitals are in Madanapalle; keep basic first aid and any medicines with you.
• Solo women travellers: The fort is a quiet rural site with few visitors on weekdays; prefer daytime visits, tell someone your plan, and consider going with a companion or local driver.
• Connectivity: Mobile coverage is generally available in the village but can be patchy on the hill; download maps offline.

Nearby places

Gurramkonda pairs well with Madanapalle and the wider Rayalaseema circuit, and sits within reach of Tirupati’s temple town. The table lists nearby anchors; distances are approximate and should be reconfirmed.

If you are shaping a longer Andhra Pradesh trip, you can extend from the coast; our Visakhapatnam travel guide helps plan the shoreline leg.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Gurramkonda Fort?

Gurramkonda Fort is in Gurramkonda village, Gurramkonda mandal, Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh. The mandal was part of Chittoor district until the new Annamayya district was formed on 4 April 2022. It lies on National Highway 340 along the Kadapa–Bengaluru road, about 30 km from Madanapalle.

Who built Gurramkonda Fort?

Wikipedia, citing the Cuddapah district gazetteer, attributes Gurramkonda Fort to the 14th-century Vijayanagara period and records that it passed to Abdul Khan, Nawab of Kadapa, in 1714 CE. Later control under the Mysore rulers and the British is described in local tradition but is not confirmed by the primary sources used here.

How do I reach Gurramkonda?

Reach Gurramkonda by road from Madanapalle, about 30 km away, which has the nearest hotels and transport. The nearest railway station is Vayalpadu, roughly 18 km, and the nearest airport is Tirupati, reported at about 110–128 km. Direct buses run from Madanapalle, Piler and Vayalpadu.

What is the best time to visit Gurramkonda?

The best time to visit Gurramkonda is roughly November to February, when the Rayalaseema plains are coolest and driest. Summers from March to June are hot on the exposed hill, and monsoon months can make the rock slippery. Start early and carry water whenever you go.

Is there an entry fee or permit for Gurramkonda Fort?

No special permit is needed for Gurramkonda Fort; it is an open heritage site listed under the Archaeological Survey of India. One travel listing gives hours of about 8 am to 6 pm daily, and no official entry ticket was confirmed for this guide. Reconfirm timings and any fee locally before you travel.

What is there to see at Gurramkonda?

At Gurramkonda you can see the hilltop fort citadel and, at its base, the Rangin Mahal palace, the dargah of the Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Kamal, and the domed Maqbara tomb of Nawab Mir Raza Ali Khan. Wikipedia also lists the Ananta Padmanabha Temple and a water pond on the hilltop.

Last updated and sources

Gurramkonda suits travellers who like quiet, unpolished heritage and are already near Madanapalle, Tirupati or the Rayalaseema circuit. Go in the cool months, climb early, and keep expectations modest: this is a ruin to explore, not a managed tourist complex.

Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Wikipedia: Gurramkonda Fort (citing Archaeological Survey of India, Chittoor, and the Cuddapah District Gazetteer); Wikipedia: Gurramkonda (village, mandal and NH 340); Wikipedia: Siege of Gurramkonda Fort; The Times of India report on a structure unearthed in 2015 (cited via Wikipedia); and a travel listing for reported visiting hours, distances and the no-accommodation note. Accessed September 2026.