Heritage museum to be opened today near Kondaveedu Fort

Several ancient artefacts found scattered around the fort city will be on display

The museum, built on a 1.30 acre site, is located on the Guntur-Narasaraopet road.

A heritage museum on the foothills of the Kondaveedu Fort is set to be inaugurated on Saturday morning.

The museum, built by the All India Reddi Welfare Association on a 1.30 acre site, is located 20 km from Guntur on the Guntur-Narasaraopet road. Minister for Panchayat Raj Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, and principal adviser to the Chief Minister, Ajeya Kallam, will inaugurate the museum.

“The museum will be a treasure trove of historical remnants found around the fort city that was the citadel of power during the reign of Reddi kings from the 11th to 14th centuries. We have collected the remnants of statues lying scattered around the fort, a replica of the fort measuring 36x24 feet, ancient relics, coins and a photo exhibition of the fort. In future, we are planning to set up an amphitheatre, a literary and a cultural centre and a library,” said Kalli Siva Reddy, convener of Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee.

Mr. Siva Reddy is making efforts to convert the fort into a major tourist attraction in the region. Proposals to lay a ghat road to the fort were floated in 2010, and it took four years to lay the ghat road. The Tourism Department has renovated the three water ponds and an ancient temple has also been restored. A Hill Festival was held earlier this year which had evoked a good response.

Pending work

Even though successive governments tried to develop the fort, a few pending works remain, including completion of an approach road to the fort, construction of 600 steps, strengthening of a 5 km road network, a children’s park, view points on the fort and a light and sound show on the fort premises.

The majestic 14th century Kondaveedu Fort is perched on a hilltop which has 21 stupas adorning the fort.