Gandikota Festival off to a colourful start in Kadapa

Visitors made a beeline for Gandikota, known as a geological wonder as well as a rich place with centuries of recorded history, as part of the Gandikota Festival-2026 that began on Sunday evening.

The spot in Jammalamadugu constituency of Kadapa district became quite popular, with visitors from the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana thronging it during the weekends.

Though the tourist footfall was more to witness the gorge, which is India’s equivalent to the Grand Canyon of the USA, the historic fort, the ancient Madhavaraya temple, and the Jama Masjid had also turned out to be a must-visit for the history and architecture lovers.

Ministers Kandula Durgesh (Tourism) and S. Savitha (Handloom and Textiles) formally inaugurated the event on a colourful note.

The festival, which had been discontinued for a few years, was back with renewed vigour after the NDA regime came to power, the Ministers said.

Government Whip and local legislator C. Adinarayana Reddy recalled the steps initiated to develop the twin reservoirs of Mylavaram and Gandikota, with an eye on meeting the region’s water needs and also to attract tourists.

“The helicopter ride launched on the occasion is appreciable, as taking a glimpse of the gorge from above is a priceless experience,” Mr. Reddy said.

Collector Sridhar Cherukuri announced that the event would have special sessions on Gandikota’s history, cookery competitions to churn out the best of native delicacies, and photo exhibitions highlighting the region’s beauty.

Watching the sunrise from the gorge was a tourist’s delight, he said, recalling that visitors increasingly preferred to stay overnight to watch the sunrise.

TDP district president C. Bhupesh Reddy, former MLC V. Narayana Reddy, Superintendent of Police Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke, in-charge Joint Collector Visweswara Naidu took part.

Earlier, a ‘Sobha Yatra’ was taken out by participants donning historical characters and reflecting the rich Telugu culture.