Nagara Fort, Shimoga - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 46 km from Kollur, 57 km from Sagara, and 84 km from Shimoga, Nagara Fort is an ancient fort situated in Nagara town near Shimoga. It is one of the magnificent forts in Karnataka, and among the top places to visit near Shimoga.

Also known as Shivappa Nayaka Fort or Bidanur Fort, Nagara Fort was built by Veerabhadra Nayaka of the Keladi dynasty in 1640, after Ikkeri, the original capital of Ikkeri rulers was lost to the Sultans of Bijapur. Shivappa Nayaka succeeded Veerabhadra Nayaka and is credited with taking the Keladi Dynasty to its peak and improving the fort. Raja Ram, son of Shivaji Maharaj of Maratha is said to have taken asylum in Nagara Fort. The Nagara Fort was referred to as the Bidanur Fort till the 16th century as Bidanur was the last capital city of the Keladi Kingdom. The fort later fell into the hands of Haider Ali in 1763.

The beautiful Nagara Fort is built on a small hill near a lake and is a popular place known for its scenic views. Much of the fort is in ruins but one can see the remains of the palace, guardrooms, wells, storage facilities, watchtower, and canons. The fort has a well-developed system to circulate water. Nagara fort's main entrance and exterior walls are largely intact, helping us understand and appreciate the rich history. Another important area in the fort that is worth mentioning is the Devagange, the royal bathing area. It consists of 7 ponds of different shapes and sizes and these ponds contain water collected from the surrounding hills. A star-shaped pond and a lotus-shaped pond are the most attractive among these.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free