Previous Year Question
Gandikota Canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers?
Cauvery
Manjira
Pennar
Tungabhadra
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The famous Gandikota Canyon of Andhra Pradesh was carved by the Pennar or Penna River through prolonged fluvial erosion.
Location
Gandikota is situated near Jammalamadugu in YSR Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.
The canyon has been cut by the Penna River through the Erramala Hills.
Here, the river flows through a deep and narrow gorge approximately 200 metres wide.
The Gandikota landscape consists of hard sedimentary rocks known as Gandikota Quartzite.
Formation of the canyon
Over a long period, the Penna River cut vertically into the resistant quartzite rocks.
Continuous downcutting produced a deep and narrow gorge with steep rock walls.
The dry to semi-arid climate and limited lateral erosion helped preserve its steep cliff-like sides.
Owing to its appearance, Gandikota is popularly described as the “Grand Canyon of India.”
Meaning of the name
In Telugu, ‘Gandi’ means a narrow gorge or passage, while ‘Kota’ means a fort.
Gandikota Fort stands on an elevated rocky surface overlooking the Penna River gorge.
The deep natural gorge historically served as a defensive barrier for the fort.
Important facts about the Pennar River
The Pennar is also known as the Penna or North Pinakini.
It originates near the Nandi Hills in Karnataka.
It flows generally eastward through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
It finally drains into the Bay of Bengal near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.
Its important tributaries include the Jayamangali, Chitravathi, Papagni, Kunderu and Cheyyeru.
Its basin lies to the south of the Krishna basin and to the north of the Cauvery basin.
River systems of the other options
Cauvery: A major east-flowing river of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; it forms Shivanasamudra Falls.
Manjira: A tributary of the Godavari flowing through Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.
Tungabhadra: A major tributary of the Krishna formed by the Tunga and Bhadra rivers; Hampi is situated on its banks.
None of these rivers created Gandikota Canyon.