Gooty Fort is also covered in our Gooty guide, which is the main page for it: Gooty Fort in the Gooty guide.
The short answer
Gooty Fort: what visitors should know first
Go if you want a proper fort day out and can handle a stiff climb. It is far larger and better documented than Rayadurgam's, but still ruined and short on facilities.
History and context
The story behind Gooty Fort
Inscriptions near the Narasimha temple appear to date from the Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI, and the earliest structures are put in the late Chalukya period. The fort was later held by the Vijayanagara Empire and the Qutb Shahi dynasty. The Maratha general Murari Rao Ghorpade captured it around 1746. In 1775 Hyder Ali of Mysore besieged it, and Murari Rao surrendered after about two months when water ran out.
Useful facts
Gooty Fort facts at a glance
- Location
- Gooty town, Anantapur district
- Experience type
- Hill-fort climb
- Known for
- Citadel, rock-cut reservoirs and the Mar Gooty gate
- Protected by
- Archaeological Survey of India
- Time or schedule
- Check hours with ASI or locally
Why it matters
Why Gooty Fort is worth your time
Gooty Fort matters because it shows how a single hill passed through nearly every power of the Deccan. It held Chalukya, Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahi and Maratha rulers before falling to Hyder Ali and, later, the East India Company. Walking it lets you read these layers in the ruins.
It is also one of the district's major protected sites, so it makes a useful anchor for a day of fort-hopping from Rayadurgam. The scale contrasts well with the smaller Rayadurgam hill.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The Mar Gooty entrance
The single gateway to the citadel.
- 02
Rock-cut reservoirs
Water storage cut in rock; the fort is said to have 108 wells.
- 03
Murari Rao's seat
A pavilion on a cliff about 300 metres high.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Reach the foot of the hill early and plan on walking up. The fort rises to about 680 metres across several hills, and the main citadel is on the westernmost one. There is a single entrance, known as Mar Gooty, and the summit has two buildings believed to be a granary and a gunpowder magazine.
Along the way you can see ramparts, bastions, ruined storehouses, a Narasimha temple and rock-cut reservoirs that caught rainwater. The fort is said to have 108 wells. Murari Rao's seat is a pavilion on a cliff about 300 metres high.
At the foot, Thomas Munro, a British administrator, is buried in a cemetery. Carry plenty of water, wear grip shoes and turn back when you need to; the lower sections alone are worthwhile.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Start at dawn
- Carry water and snacks
- Wear grip shoes
- Confirm ASI hours before going
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Gooty town, Anantapur district; about 95 to 100 km east of Rayadurgam
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours
- Best time
- Early morning, November to February
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- The route to the citadel is long and steep, with ruined steps and little shade. Older visitors should stay in the lower ramparts and gate areas.
- Tickets and access
- Gooty Fort is an ASI-protected monument. Check current opening hours and any entry fee locally or with the ASI before you go.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Gooty Fort
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The route to the citadel is long and steep, with ruined steps and little shade. Older visitors should stay in the lower ramparts and gate areas.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Gooty Fort protected?
Yes, as a monument of national importance under the ASI.
How tough is the climb?
It is long and steep, so allow plenty of time and rest.
Is it close to Rayadurgam?
It is about 95 to 100 km away, so make it a separate day trip.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
