Penukonda, the second capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, famous for it's Fort, Gagan Mahal, and also the prison where Krishnadeva Raya's minister Timmarasu was imprisoned.
The place gets it's name from a word meaning large hill, in a reference to the massive fort here, built on a hill by the Hoysala rulers, which was considered one of the most impregnable. It however had it's most glorious phase during the time of Krishnadeva Raya, when it was the second capital of Vijayanagara Empire after Hampi, as well being the summer resort for the Emperor and the court nobles.
After Krishnadeva Raya, the fort was taken over by Venkatapathi Raya, who appointed Koneti Nayudu as the governor there. Koneti ruled over Penukonda for close to 17 years which also included forts of Rayadurg, Kundurpi, and his descendants continued his rule. When Hampi was devastated after the Battle of Tallikota, Tirumala Raya, the brother of Aliya Rama Raya, carried a large amount of riches, elephants, horses to Penukonda to save it from the looters.
The Erramanchi gate at Penukonda fort has a large Hanuman statue guarding it. The town itself has around 365 temples mostly built during Sri Krishna Deva Raya's time.
Penukonda is also a famous Jaina center, has the famous Ajitanatha Digambara Jain temple built during the 14th center. The present temple was renovated by a Jain family who also built a similiar temple at Amarapura, Anantapur later.
The Jain temple at Penukonda, was under the Lakshya Sena Bhattaraka Peetham, for close to 30 years, and now it's being maintained by the Amarapura Jain Association. It It is around 12,800 sq feet in area, it's main deity is Ajitanatha, flanked by Sruthadevi and around 23 Jain Theerthankaras, a Trichatra on top of his head. It is one of the places worth visiting in Penukonda.
Gagan Mahal palace the erswhile summer resort of the Vijayanagara rulers, faces east and comprises two stories of arcade chambers. The first floor has around 12 arches, 8 windows. There is also a large potrait of Sri Krishnadeva Raya here.
The building surface is coated with stucco, while the pyramidal roof on top is inspired more from the Dravidian style. There are 6 projecting windows supported by brackets, and palace was built without rafters.
The other structure to be visited in Penukonda is the prison where Timmarasu, Sri Krishnadeva Raya's minister was kept in captivity. A small building with just one door, plain 4 walled octagonal shaped structure. He was not just Sri Krishna Deva Raya's minister, guide and mentor, he was also a father figure to him, looking after him since childhood and ensured he would be the Emperor. It was out of such gratitude that the Emperor called him as Appaji affectionately.
It was Timmarasu who played a major role, after Sri Krishnadeva Raya became the Emperor, guiding him on matters of strategy, statecraft. He especially played a crucial role in breaking the long siege of Kondavidu and the conquest of Kalinga. However when Sri Krishnadeva Raya's son Tirumala Raya, the crown prince was poisoned to death in 1525, the Emperor suspected Timmarasu, and had him thrown in prison, and his eyes blinded. A rather sad, tragic ending to one of the wisest men ever.
Timmarasu spent time, in captivity in this prison in Penukonda, all alone, eyes blinded. Though the Raya found out about his innocence later and released, he walked away, and spent his later years in solitude, away from all the palace politics.
The other attraction of Penukonda is the Kumbhakarna garden here, that has a large statue of him sleeping and all soldiers trying to wake him up. It has a nice theme park too around it.
