The Gandikota Festival (Gandikota Utsavalu) is a premier three-day annual cultural extravaganza organized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department to celebrate the rich history and breathtaking landscape of India’s “Grand Canyon.” Last held from January 11 to January 13, 2026, the festival transforms the quiet, majestic 13th-century Gandikota Fort complex into a buzzing hub of tourism, adventure, and heritage. The major highlight of the event is the introduction of state-sponsored helicopter rides, giving visitors a thrilling aerial perspective of the deep red sandstone gorge and the winding Pennar River below. On the ground, the fort walls echo with massive cultural carnivals featuring live music concerts, classical dances, and traditional folk arts like Kolatam. Tourists from all over flock to the specially curated “Tent City” to experience riverside camping under the stars, explore historic structures like the Madhavaraya Temple and Jama Masjid, and savor authentic, spicy Rayalaseema delicacies from local food stalls.