Beyond the walls of Siddhavatam Fort

For Sanjeev Borgaonkar and Shaik Wajid, who were part of a tourist troupe from Pune, a visit to Siddhavatam Fort was meant to be another stop on their tour of Andhra Pradesh. Instead, the imposing citadel held their attention long after their families had moved on. Perched on the banks of the Penna River, amid the Palakonda and Veligonda hill ranges, the centuries-old fort continues to draw visitors—even as the heritage site waits to reclaim some of its lost glory.

That fascination is shared by many who make their way to the fort, especially on weekends. Even as restoration work taken up by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is currently under way, tourists from the neighbouring districts continue to arrive at the fort, undeterred by the lack of snacks and drinking water facilities in the vicinity. “Even the toilets needs enhancement,” says Mr. Borgaonkar.