Prince of Chitradurga

Last week i was at chitradurga, a town of historical importance in India. The maintenance of the fort at Chitradurga comes under Archaeological survey of India. I must say that the fort is maintained very well. Its really very clean. All facts of historical significance and salient architectural features of the fort are displayed boldly. Absolutely no plastics are thrown anywhere and no eatables are allowed inside. The walls are neat and well maintained. All in all a must see for anyone even faintly interested in history.

But what caught me most there was a Monkey, rather the king of monkeys. He was "(Koti raj", meaning king of Monkeys. He was a two legged monkey.

Let me tell you that its impossible for a bad writer like me to write even faintly about the skill of this man "Koti raj" alias Jyothi Raj. He has earned the name Kothi raj for his skills in rock climbing.

Jyoti raj hardly has any formal education. He quit schoooling 3 months into his first standard and was ever since a wanderer. He confessed that, dejected from life, he had contemplated suicide before meeting his guru " The monkey". (I did not have my camera. so these pictures and videos  are from the cell phone camera)

"ಕೋತಿಗಳೇ ನನ್ನ ಗುರು, ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಒತ್ತೆ ಇಟ್ಟು ಕೋತಿ ರಾಜ್ ಅಂತ ಹೆಸರು ಗಳಿಸಿಧೀನಿ" , i have earned the name "koti raj" having pledged my life says jyothi raj who takes pride in being called kothi raj. Jyoti raj says that he has learnt the art of wall climbing from Monkeys.

Its impossible to write about his skills. One must see him climbing and performing various "monkey tricks" to believe it. He could climb a 25 feet, 90 degree wall in about 15 seconds. He is today recognized by many adventure clubs and sports bodies.

These days, he is mostly seen in Chitradurga but he says he practices mostly at Badami and Hampi. He even climbs a 90 degree wall upside down, man that is unimaginable.

Kothi raj is the name he is fond of and has earned it at a very huge cost with great perseverance and patience. But he is a gentleman in the true sense. He is humble and soft spoken. Very courteous. Truly incredible and inspiring.