Visitors enjoying a boat ride on the Penna River during the Gandikota Festival in Kadapa district on Tuesday.”
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
The Gandikota Festival 2026 witnessed heavy footfall on its concluding day, Tuesday (January 13, 2026), with folk songs, cultural sessions, a mimicry show, and Kolatam performances by women emerging as the main attractions for visitors.
Food kiosks offering mouth-watering local delicacies from Rayalaseema, known for its spicy palate, along with boat rides on the River Penna passing through the gorge formed between the Yerramala hills, were crowd favourites.
Visitors enthusiastically participated in cookery, photography, poetry, story telling, drawing and sketch painting competitions and games like tug of war and volleyball. Similarly, the adventure-seeking youth preferred the heli-ride and para-motor gliding, while history lovers chose ‘Guided Heritage Walk’ organised on the occasion.
The Sound and Light Show conducted in the evening highlighted the grandeur of the Gandikota fort and the gorge providing a natural barrier to the fort, besides narrating the valour of the kings of the Pemmasani dynasty that ruled the region.
The 3D show telecast over the dome also brought the region’s rich slice of history to the fore. Collector Sridhar Cherukuri also attended the 3D show session along with family members.
A special stall was arranged to depict the fort, the architectural grandeur of the temples, and other spellbinding edifices through pictures created in various forms, including paintings and pencil art.
Published – January 13, 2026 08:25 pm IST
