Guntur: Glory of Kondaveedu Fort revealed

Guntur: Remains of Sri Lakshminasimha Swamy temple, Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, Dargah, an old well and many monuments dated back to centuries ago were unearthed at the Kondaveedu Fort in Yadlapdu mandal of Guntur district. Temples, sculptures, water tanks, Dargah and other remains were unearthed during the research conducted by Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee. The committee has been striving hard for many years to unearth the glorious past history of the Reddy kings, who ruled the Kondaveedu area.

Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee Convener K Shiva Reddy and other members identified the remains and historical structures of the fort at the hillock. They found the idols of Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy idol, Lord Hanuman, and another broken idol suspected to be the idol of Kataya Vema Reddy. The team also found the remains of a Shivalayam on the Rudapada Hill, a tank, well and dargah where Muslims could have worshipped on the hillock.

Sri Bollimora Venkateshwara Swamy temple was on the Bollimora Bodi, Jiddigala Bavi. It is believed that several Devathas were said to have taken a holy bath with the well water and performed pujas in the temple. The Shivalayam was in a dilapidated condition. Another old temple with 16 pillars on the hillocks also found at the Kondaveedu fort.

Shiva Reddy suspected that it might have belonged to Yogi Vemana mandapam. The team also found Gangadhara Rameswaralayam temple where a big water tank located. Siva Reddy underlined the need to protect the historical temples, monuments and idols, which were neglected for many years. He suggested that the temples and other monuments should be handed over to the Archaeology Department for the protection and to make it a tourist centre.

He said Amba temple, Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple, three tanks, Reddy Rajula Bhojanasala, two mandapams, Visweshwaralayam and Muslims worshiping place, Yogi Vemana Mandapam, forest bungalow, Gurrala Chavidi and other remains are attracting tourists. Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy conducted a meeting with the officials and reviewed the fort development works and assured that the state government would give cooperation for its development. Local MLA Vididala Rajani met the district Collector I Samuel Anand Kumar and explained need to develop the fort.