To the south of the main Tiruvannamalai-Puducherry road are the highest of Gingee's three citadels, Rajagiri, and the most distant and least interesting, Chakklidurg.
Remains of numerous buildings stand in the lower parts of Gingee Fort site, especially at the bottom of Rajagiri, where the main landmark of the old palace area is the white, restored, seven-storey Kalyana Mahal (Marriage Hall). Just east of the palace area is an 18th-century mosque, and southwest of that is the large, abandoned, 16th-century Venkataramana Temple.
It’s a good hike to the top of Rajagiri (more than 150m above the plain) and you need at least half a day to cover both it along with Krishnagiri (the easiest citadel to reach). Most visitors climb Rajagiri, which makes Krishnagiri a much quieter walk. Start early and bring water; hill-climbing entry ends at 2.30pm.
