Ancient Capital of the Gona Chiefs & Centre of the Vaddavani-500 Division (Kandurnadu)
Nandi Vaddeman (formerly known as Vardhamaanapuram) is a village in Bijinepally mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. It was the historic capital of the Gona (Kona) dynasty – the authors of the first Telugu Ramayana (Ranganatha Ramayanam) – as well as a seat of the Vardhamanapura Cholas (Chodas) and the Malyala chiefs. The region formed part of Vaddavani-500 (or Vaddemana-500), a major subdivision of the ancient Kandurnadu (Kandur-1100). Today, the village preserves remarkable 12th–13th century temples, a huge mud fort wall, and a colossal Nandi (bull) sculpture, bearing witness to its glorious past.
Ruled Koduru-300 and exercised authority over parts of Vaddemana-500. His inscriptions at Mallesvaram (1033, 1038 CE) are among the earliest mentions of the Kanduru family.
Ruled Kandurnadu under Western Chalukya Somesvara I. An inscription at Manthati (Wanaparthy) records his activities.
25th August 1048 CE: Malleswaram, Kollapur – introduces a subordinate chief named Sankarasar, “crest jewel of the Chalukya family”, bearing epithets like Bhupakandarpa, vairi kula kala sarpam, sangram viram, Raja marthandam. On the occasion of pavitra arohana, he made a gift of 13 marttars of land in the village Kulakuliya in Vaddemana-500 to the pontiff Chidisvara pandita of Agastheswara. The record was composed by Bijjaya (pattala karena and sandhvigrahi).
Younger son of Somesvara I. 1051 CE: Mallesvaram, Kollapur inscription (Saka 973) states that Vijayaaditya I was ruling Kandurnadu, which included Vaddavani-500 and Ettapi-90.
Ruled with Vardhamanapura as his capital (present‑day Nandi Vaddeman). He was a descendant of the Kanduri Choda line. During his reign, the Kakatiya king Rudradeva launched an expedition against the Telugu Choda chiefs between 1157 and 1162 CE. Rudradeva attacked Vardhamanapuram and drove Bhimachoda III along with his followers into the forest, ending Choda domination in this area.
Ruled a kingdom from Vardhamaanapuram (Nandi Vaddeman). He was a Mahamandalesvara under Kakatiya Ganapatideva. He strengthened the family’s position and initiated the literary tradition that would culminate in the Telugu Ramayana.
Son of Gona Budha Reddy I. 1219 CE: Nagadevapalli, Nagarkurnool – inscription on a slab in front of Hanuman Temple (damaged). It mentions the chief Gona Ganapayya making a grant for the merit of his overlord Kakatiya Ganapatideva and his father Buddireddi, who is described as Eruva gonga, Kodvaluri puravaradhisvara and vitaranotsaha. He consolidated Gona authority over Kandurnadu from Vardhamanapura.
Son of Ganapayya. He completed the Ranganatha Ramayanam, the first Ramayana in Telugu. He had three sons: Gona Ganna Reddy (warrior), Gona Kacha Reddy and Gona Vitalanatha (poets who completed the Uttarakanda), and a daughter Kuppambika (first known Telugu woman poet).
Loyal Kakatiya vassal and military commander under Queen Rudrama Devi. He captured forts from the Seuna Yadavas and defended the Raichur Doab. His wife Annamambika was the best friend of Rudrama Devi. His brother‑in‑law Malyala Gundanna (Senani) also operated from Vardhamanapuram and Budapuram.
Chief minister and feudatory, ruled Vardhamanapuram. Around 1294 CE he led Kakatiya campaigns against the Seuna Yadavas, capturing Raichur and other forts. His 1294 inscription describes these military achievements.
Son of Bachavarudhini. Title: Senani (general). He married Kuppambika, the younger sister of Gona Ganna Reddy (and daughter of Gona Budha Reddy II). Capitals: Budapuram and Vardhamanapuram. He served Kakatiya Ganapatideva and Rudramadevi faithfully, constructing lakes and irrigation works in the region. He died in 1276 CE during the rule of Rudrama Devi.
Son of Gopal Reddy (along with Pedda Gopi Reddy). They were bestowed with several villages in Amarachinta, Waddeman, Utkur and Kodechur paraganas by Gona Kata Reddy (son of Gona Budha Reddy). Their position increased from Nadagoud to Sarnadagoud.
Contemporary of Abdullah Qutub Shah (1626–1672). The Qutub Shahi ruler acknowledged his help in war, confirming the family’s continued importance under the Golconda Sultanate.
Brief rule during a period of transition.
Last known ruler of this line before the Mughal conquest of Golconda in 1687 CE.
Located amidst paddy fields, this temple has no proper access road but features a classic Kakatiya‑style sanctum. Vegetation was cleared by NICF and PIF in 2023.
Locally known as Trimurti temples, these three shrines abut a huge mud fort wall – the remains of the medieval Vardhamanapura fort. They represent the three aspects of Shiva or the trinity.
A colossal bull (Nandi) carved out of black granite stone sits near this temple, located about 2 km from the village. The sculpture is a testament to the sculptural skill of the Kakatiya period.
On the eve of World Tourism Day, the Nature and Indian Culture Foundation (NICF) in association with Pleach India Foundation (PIF) cleaned up these 12th‑century heritage structures at Nandi Vaddeman. The initiative, “Preserve Heritage for Posterity,” was led by Dr. E. Sivanagireddy (archaeologist and PIF CEO) and Patnam Krishnamraju (president, NICF). Nearly 30 activists from NICF, 10 volunteers from PIF, and 10 locals led by Vanga Sudarshan Goud and the village Sarpanch cleared vegetation and made the neglected monuments presentable to visitors.
Trimurti temples abutting the ancient mud fort wall
Giant black granite Nandi at Nandiswara temple
Source: Telangana Today – “Heritage structures in Nagarkurnool get makeover” (2023).
Chronology of Vardhamaanapuram (Nandi Vaddeman)
- 1048 CE: Sankarasa’s inscription mentions Vaddemana-500 for the first time (Kulakuliya village).
- 1104–1157 CE: Bhimachoda III rules from Vardhamanapura as a Telugu-Choda chief.
- 1157–1162 CE: Kakatiya Rudradeva attacks Vardhamanapuram, drives out Bhimachoda III.
- 1190–1217 CE: Gona Budha Reddy I establishes Gona rule at Vardhamaanapuram.
- 1219 CE: Gona Ganapayya’s Nagadevapalli inscription records grant under Kakatiya Ganapatideva.
- 1230–1262 CE: Gona Budha Reddy II composes Ranganatha Ramayanam.
- 1245–1276 CE: Malyala Gundanna, general of Rudramadevi, operates from Budapuram and Vardhamanapuram.
- 1262–1294 CE: Gona Ganna Reddy rules; supports Rudramadevi; campaigns against Seuna Yadavas.
- 1278–1350 CE: Chinna Gopi Reddy I receives villages in Waddeman paragana from Gona Kata Reddy.
- 1294 CE: Gona Vithala captures Raichur fort.
- 1653–1675 CE: Emmedi Gopi Reddy II helps Abdullah Qutub Shah in war.
- 2023 CE: NICF and PIF clean up 12th‑century temples at Nandi Vaddeman.
Enduring Legacy of Vardhamaanapuram
Nandi Vaddeman (Vardhamaanapuram) stands as a living chronicle of over nine centuries of Deccan history – from the Haihaya feudatories of the Chalukyas, through the Telugu-Choda interlude, to the glorious Gona chiefs who gave Telugu literature its first Ramayana, and the later Gopi Reddy samsthanam under the Qutub Shahis. The surviving temples, the colossal Nandi, and the massive mud fort wall are not merely ruins but tangible links to a sophisticated feudal culture that valued military valour, administrative acumen, and literary excellence. Recent conservation efforts have brought these monuments back into public view, ensuring that the legacy of Vardhamaanapuram – the “city of progress” – endures for future generations.
- Malleswaram Inscription of Sankarasa (1048 CE) – ARIE.
- Nagadevapalli Inscription of Gona Ganapayya (1219 CE).
- Ranganatha Ramayanam by Gona Budha Reddy (13th century Telugu literature).
- N. Venkataramanayya, The Kakatiyas of Warangal.
- Yashoda Devi, The History of Andhra Country.
- Gazetteer of Nagarkurnool district (Telangana).
- Telangana Today: “Heritage structures in Nagarkurnool get makeover” (2023).
- Nature and Indian Culture Foundation (NICF) & Pleach India Foundation (PIF) reports.
- Local traditions and inscriptions from Nandi Vaddeman and surrounding villages.