Kavaledurga Fort -Thirthahalli

Kavaledurga is a historical place loCated at a distance of 16 Km from Thirthahalli  in Shimoga district.
Kavaledurga is situated 5056 ft above sea level and the place is well known for a magnificent fort called Kavaledurga Fort built on the hill top.

Kavaledurga Fort is now in a ruined state to a large extent except few structures like the two fortresses and some temple like Lakshminarayana Temple, the Mylaareshwara shrine still stand the rampage of time and humans. The two circular bastions that form a gateway to the second level of the fort are called "Nagaari Baagilu". The Lakshminarayana Temple on the top of a huge rock in the fort premises still remains strong. As you move on, you can come across the ruins of Darbar Hall and Queen s private swimming pool. This large fort constructed at Kavaledurga around 9th century AD, boasts of beautiful architecture and great construction plans of those times

Most of the fort is in a ruined state but once you are on the top, you can have a panoramic view of the entire surrounding at the foot of the hill fort. In the fort premises, there is a monolithic rock on which you have a small temple called as "Shikhareshwara Temple", probably because it is on the top most part and can be seen from the foot of the hill. To reach this temple, one has to climb the sloping smooth rock. In the third level of the fort you have a Kaashi Vishwanatha Temple. This is a special type of the temple where you can see two stone pillars (dwajasthambam) in front of the temple. At the entrance of this temple, there is a mantapam called "Tulabhaara Mantapa" and on one of the walls, there is a sketch of one of the court dancers.