What to expect
Highlights
- The "Snake Hill" Vijayanagara fort.
- The Kote Anjaneya hill shrine.
- The Shani Mahatma temple at the base.
Pavagada Fort
Pavagada Fort is a Vijayanagara-era hill fort called Nagagiri or "Snake Hill" rising above Pavagada town in the northern near-enclave into Andhra.
P
Pavagada Fort
Place
Practical guide
Plan Pavagada Fort
Who's going?Tailor Pavagada Fort to your trip
Typefort
Nearest basePavagada
DistrictTumakuru
Best timeOctober to February
Time neededHalf a day with the climb
EntryFree
It has a Kote Anjaneya shrine midway and a much-visited Shani Mahatma (Saturn) temple at its base.
Getting there
How to visit
- At Pavagada, about 100 km north of Tumakuru; by road, then a climb to the fort.
- A steep hill fort — wear good shoes, carry water, start early and remove footwear at the shrines.
Distance by road
- Bengaluru70 km
- Chitradurga130 km
- Hassan95 km
- Chikkaballapura90 km
- Chikkamagaluru130 km
Road km to Tumakuru; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; early morning; Saturdays busy at the Shani temple.
Weather in Pavagada FortSeasonal guide
Live forecast loads in your browser.
Today at Pavagada Fort
Sunrise6:13 am
Sunset5:59 pm
Golden hour best light4:59 pm–5:59 pm
Blue hour after sunset5:59 pm–6:24 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 260°
Moon tonight🌔 Waxing gibbous · 63%
Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.
Visitor notes
- A steep fort climb and a busy Shani shrine — carry water and expect Saturday crowds.
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Pavagada Fort — at a glance
TimingsDaylight hours; Shani temple has its own hours
Best timeOctober to February; early morning
Entry: Free
Getting here
How to reach Pavagada Fort
At Pavagada, ~100 km north of Tumakuru; by road, then a climb
Getting back
If you are travelling by bus or ferry, check the return service with the operator before setting out. Leave time to reach the stop or jetty after your visit.
- KSRTC— the Karnataka state bus operator; route and schedule enquiries.Online booking.
- Indian Railways— live running and seat availability for the nearest railhead, named under “Getting here” above.
Ask at the bus stand for the time of the last service back, not the next one. If you miss it, an auto or app cab is the fallback — agree the fare before you get in.
Getting around Pavagada Fort
If you need step-free access, contact the site before travelling. Ask about a level entrance, steps along the route, the nearest drop-off point, seating and accessible toilets.
If you need help at Pavagada Fort
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).100Police101Fire108Ambulance (emergency / EMS)1091Women’s helpline (distress)1098Child helpline1363Tourist helpline (India, 24×7, multilingual)
Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.
Nearby
What’s near Pavagada Fort
M
Midigeshi Fort
Place
fortMidigeshi Fort
A ruined hill fort about 22 km north of Madhugiri with a summit Hanuman shrine and old fortifications — a lesser-known trek of the northern Tumakuru country.
33.8 km · ~56 min by cab · straight line
wildlifeJayamangali Blackbuck Reserve
The state’s protected blackbuck grassland at Maidenahalli in Madhugiri taluk, on the Tumakuru–Andhra frontier, home to a large blackbuck herd along with wolves, foxes and grassland birds.
45.9 km · ~76 min by cab · straight line
fortMadhugiri Fort
A fort climbing one of Asia’s largest monolithic granite hills at Madhugiri, ~45 km north-east of Tumakuru, with multi-tier gateways, cisterns and a Gopalakrishna temple ruin near the top — the district’s signature trek, ASI-protected.
53.6 km · ~89 min by cab · straight line
fortSira Fort & Jama Masjid
The four-sided fort of Sira, founded by Rangappa Nayaka and later a Bijapur–Mughal Deccan provincial capital, with the ASI-protected 17th-century Jama Masjid and the nearby Malik Rihan tomb complex — a Deccan-Islamic heritage cluster ~54 km north-west of Tumakuru.
54.5 km · ~91 min by cab · straight line
fortChannarayana Durga
A 17th-century hill fort built by Chennappa Gowda about 10 km from Madhugiri, at some 1,130 m, with ruined tiered gateways and herb-rich slopes — a rewarding, quieter trek than Madhugiri.
60.3 km · ~100 min by cab · straight lineOn the map
Where Pavagada Fort is
Good to know
Pavagada Fort — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Pavagada Fort?
October to February; early morning; Saturdays busy at the Shani temple.
What are the entry fee and timings at Pavagada Fort?
Entry: Free. Timings: Daylight hours; Shani temple has its own hours.
How do I reach Pavagada Fort?
At Pavagada, about 100 km north of Tumakuru; by road, then a climb to the fort. A steep hill fort — wear good shoes, carry water, start early and remove footwear at the shrines.
How much time do I need for Pavagada Fort?
Half a day with the climb.
What else is near Pavagada Fort?
Nearby you can pair Midigeshi Fort (33.8 km), Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve (45.9 km), Madhugiri Fort (53.6 km), Sira Fort & Jama Masjid (54.5 km).