Chandragiri Fort

Chandragiri Fort is a historic hill fort located in Chandragiri town in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, about 11 km southwest of Tirupati. Built in the 11th century and later expanded under the Vijayanagara Empire, it served as the fourth capital of Vijayanagara. The fort complex includes the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal palaces, fort walls and a hilltop citadel, and now houses an archaeological museum displaying Vijayanagara and Chola artefacts.

Visitors can explore a fortified complex at the base of a 183-metre hill with the well-preserved Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal palaces built in Vijayanagara architectural style, fort walls, bastions and a ruined hilltop citadel reached by stone steps. The Raja Mahal houses an Archaeological Museum with stone and bronze sculptures, coins and artefacts. The site offers views over Chandragiri town and surrounding plains, with open courtyards, gardens and pathways for sightseeing and photography.

Originally built in the 11th century by the Yadava Naidus and later fortified in the 14th century under the Vijayanagara Empire. After the fall of Hampi, Chandragiri served as the fourth capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and residence of its rulers. The Raja Mahal was built during the reign of Vijayanagara kings. The fort is noted as the site where the grant for Fort St. George in Madras was signed in 1639 by Vijayanagara ruler Sri Ranga Raya.

Represents Vijayanagara architecture and palace design with Indo-Saracenic influences. The Raja Mahal now functions as an archaeological museum preserving regional cultural heritage through its collection of temple sculptures, bronzes and artefacts from Vijayanagara and earlier periods. The fort remains an important cultural landmark of the Tirupati region.