Kangundi is a small town in Kuppam mandal in Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. It is located 12 kilometers from Kuppam town , 122 kilometres from Bangalore, 230 kilometres from Chennai and 180 Kilometres from Tirupati, the well known piligrim city of Lord Venkateswara. Kangundi is located in a valley surrounded by hills and forests, known for its historical sculptures and cultural heritage.
Kangundi has a rich history dating back to the Neolithic era. The discovery of ancient cave paintings confirms human settlements in the region during this period [1] The area has been inhabited by the Irulas, an indigenous Dravidian ethnic tribe, since time immemorial [2]
Cave paintings of 1500 BC at Kangundi
In 1066 AD, Kambinaidu built a fort encircling the hill with the support of irulas and named the place as Kangundi in remembrance of Kangi and Kanga, the Irula couple who helped him in settling in the place. Two idols in a cave on the top of the hill are worshipped as Kangi and Kanga. The lineage of Kambinaidu ruled the region, known as Kangundi samsthanam, as tributary satrapas to the emperors of Cholas, Vijayanagara and Mysore till the independence of the country. Consequent to reorganization of the states, the area under the then Kangundi taluk was divided between Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Kuppam town which was established in 18th century was known as Kangundi Kuppam and now is the head quarters of Kuppam constituency and the present Kangundi village was known as Kangundi durgam till 1960s. [3]
The fort which was built around the hill with many ramparts with stones was in ruins. During his tenure as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandrababu Naidu oversaw several restoration efforts, including repairs to the fort, construction of steps leading to the hill, reconstruction of temples within the fort, and the restoration of the 12th-century Virupaksha Swamy Temple.Additionally, construction of a cement road around the hill as giri pradakshina road were done. [4]
Tourism
Kangundi Hill which is 650 metres tall is a major attraction. Steps were rebuilt making it easy to climb the hill. The government is planning to build a rope way. The hill has many boulders and caves and Tadekam foundation is promoting bouldering tourism. [5]
Palar river which originates in Nandi hills, Karnataka flows through the Kangundi forest and enters Tamilnadu at Peddavanka. Kanaka Nachamma temple at Peddavanka is a major pilgrim centreFile:Kanakanachamma Temple, Kangundi.pngKanakanachamma Temple, Kangundi
Culture & Festivals
Kangundi's unique location at the junction of three states – Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka – has resulted in a fascinating blend of cultures. So we find a mixture of the three languages, food habits and festivals. . The region celebrates a wide range of festivals, including Mahashivaratri, which is observed with great fervor and features ancient folk rituals.[6]
The festival features traditional performances, including dances with peacock feathers, accompanied by folk instruments. The holy bull, in trance, climbing the hill on its own, in the dark night of shiva ratri is unique in the world and thousands of people gather inside the fort to watch the puja to the bull. On every full moon day, devotees go around the hill (Giri Pradakshina) under the moon light.
At Kanakanachamma temple on the banks of Palar river, the Tamil festival Aadi Krittigai, thousands of devotees take holy bath in the river. Veepu theru( devotees pulling the chariot which is pinned to their back), shulam (a type of metal rod) piercing and going through the cheeks of devotees who dance to the tunes of urumu, devotees wearing saffron attire and carrying kavadi on their shoulders can be seen during the festival.
Kangundi veedhi natakam (Street plays) is famous for playing Mahabharata natakam [7]
Notable people
P.R.Shamanna( 1920-2021) served as the president of the Kangundi panchayat for thirty years till 1982. He is the founder of post independent modern Kangundi. He eradicated the practice of untouchability in the area, brought up modern agricultural methods and he was awarded the best horticulturist award when he was 90 years old. His statue was inaugurated by the chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on 7th January 2025 [8]
P.S.Muniratnam ,who earlier served as the president of Kangundi Panchayat has been acting as the TDP party incharge of Kuppam constituency since 1994 is now the vice chairman of Andhra
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