Location: Mallur Gutta and Fort are located near Mallur village, Mangapet Mandal, Mulugu district in Telangana, India. It is said to be bigger than Warangal and Golconda forts.
About the Fort
A sprawling ancient fort in the region is the massive 8 km-radius fort wall with seven entry points dating back to the Satavahana period. Locally known as Mallur Fort, located 4 km inside the forests near Mallur village of Mangapet mandal, Mulugu district, the fort is on the banks of the river Godavari adjacent to the Eturunagaram–Bhadrachalam highway.
“Normally, forts are two to four km in radius. But this fort wall has a radius of about 8 km, much bigger than Warangal and Golconda forts.”
Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Mallur Hemachala Lakshmi Narsimha Swamy Temple is the most ancient architectural divine ensemble which is located on the Mallur Ghat in the Mangapet mandal of Mulugu district. The ancient temple of Lord Lakshminarasimha Swamy was built in a strategic and secluded locale of the hill. The temple is famous for its swayambhu (self-formed) deity. It was stated to be constructed by the Chola Emperors during the period 1010–1200 (perhaps, under Rajaraja I and II).
Situated in the beautiful mountain ranges on the southern bank of Godavari, this temple is famous for its Swayambhu deity with a vast historical background and cultural heritage. The beautiful and mellifluous nature around the temple premises is beyond description. The splendid scenery surrounded by the mountain ranges along which pass the narrow path, outlined by different varieties of medicinal trees through which flows the Chintamani Lake — a quenching delight to all the devotees all through the year and a source of water for the people staying in this place.
The temple is ever-enduring with year-long festivities which mark the commencement of special archanas and sevas giving a festive mood to all and sundry all through the year. The Tirukkalyanam and the Brahmotsavam of the residing deity, the Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy are celebrated on Vaishakha Shuddha Chaturdashi every year with much devotion and fervour — attracting donations and strengthening the historical significance of the place.
This temple has many specialities: the height of mollaviraat Sri Narasimha Swamy is up to 10 feet. It is located in the midst of forest. The belly part of the Moolavirat idol is said to be soft as human skin. The dwajasthambha at the temple is nearly 60 feet in height.
Rock-formed Ugra Anjaneya Swamy
There is a rock-formed Ugra Anjaneya Swamy Statue near the temple — reportedly the first of its kind known in South India. A continuous water flow near the temple originates from the top of the hills.
Legends & Beliefs
According to historical stories, the demon king Ravana had gifted this place to his sister, Shurpanaka, where around 14,000 demons led by Khara Dushana were slain by Rama. It was Agastya, the great sage, who gave the present name to the shrine as Hemachalam.
Devotees believe the deity, if alone, enflames the temple premises. But as the deity is affixed with a golden Goddess Lakshmi on his chest region, the deity assumes tranquility thus reducing fire dangers. It is also believed that sandal-like fluid flows from the umbilicus of the deity — a divine wonder. Devotees flock here to seek blessings, to beget children, and to redeem themselves from doshas and obstacles.
Festivals
Vasanthothsav: Hundreds of pilgrims visit the temple every Saturday. About 50,000 pilgrims from the state and neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh throng the temple in May to participate in the annual celebration called Vasanthothsav.
The Chintamani Waterfall & Springs
The “Chintamani” waterfall (a natural stream) is another attraction — a perennial source of water regarded as sacred. People use it for bathing and often take water home. A natural spring running through the dense forest is believed to have medicinal qualities (the Malluru spring waters). Bore wells and a water tank are provided along the path for travelers; power supply is arranged during jataras for comfortable darshan.
Mallur Gutta Sacred Grove & Biodiversity
Sacred Grove: Mallur Gutta is a hill spread over 1,500 hectares. As per studies, it is home to around 470 species of plants including some listed on the IUCN Red List. Around 200 hectares were accorded status as a Medicinal Plants Conservation Area. Some medicinal plants found here are not seen anywhere else in Telangana.
The Mallur Gutta ecosystem is considered sacred for its natural wealth and plant–people linkages, and it is a vital site for ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Koya community. The hill supports many rare or medicinal species and has been inventoried from 2009 to 2015 for plant wealth via traditional knowledge.
Ethnomedicinal Use & Plant Parts
Ethnomedicinal importance of 167 taxa was documented for Mallur Gutta and nearby villages mainly inhabited by the Koya community. When uses are listed by plant parts, the leaf dominates (23.88%), followed by whole plant (15.34%), root (12.43%), stem bark (11.46%), fruit (10.10%), etc.
Top Ten Dominant Families
Among 95 families found on Mallur Gutta, Fabaceae predominates with 71 taxa, followed by Malvaceae (31), Asteraceae (19), Rubiaceae and Convolvulaceae (16 each), and others including Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Cyperaceae and Phyllanthaceae.
Rare & Interesting Species
Red-listed medicinal species such as Aegle marmelos, Celastrus paniculatus, Cheilocostus speciosus, Gloriosa superba, Litsea glutinosa, Oroxylum indicum, Smilax perfoliata, Stemona tuberosa and rare plants like Cordia macleodii, Curcuma inodora, Ehretia laevis, Habenaria roxburghii, Mucuna pruriens var. hirsuta are found in Mallur hill range. Several species (Anodendron paniculatum, Dysolobium pilosum, Globba marantina, Flagellaria indica, Paederia foetida) are so far recorded only in this sacred grove area in Telangana.
Wildlife
The Mallur hill supports animals like monkey (Macaca mulatta), Hanuman langur (Presbytis entellus), bison, jungle cat, mongoose, wild dog, house rat, four-horned antelope, nilgai, spotted deer, wild boar, three-striped squirrel, wild hen, terrapin, lizards, chameleon, monitor lizard, dhaman rat snake, water snake, buff-striped keelback and krait — many species also seen in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ethnic People: The Koyas (Dorla Koitur)
The Koyas are the southernmost section of the Gond group. They are concentrated in Telangana agency areas and historically involved in agriculture, hunting and gathering, and ethnobotanical traditions. The Koyas are divided into subgroups: Gotte Koya, Manne Koya, Gampa Koya, Warre Koya, Bunka Koya, Dora Koya — with varying occupational and linguistic traits.
- Gotte Koya – dance with a bison horn and dress like Marias.
- Manne Koya – inhabit secluded forest areas.
- Gampa Koya – make baskets (Gampalu).
- Warre Koya – live as hunter-gatherers, not settled agriculture.
- Bunka Koya – settled farmers.
- Dora Koya – considered Raja Gonds (Dorla), some speak Telugu now.
Protection & Conservation Concerns
The hill area needs protection measures like fencing or deep trenches to prevent illegal occupation. Overexploitation for fuelwood, timber, medicinal plants is ongoing with limited government control. Human interference during festivals, Medaram Jatara and Godavari Pushkaralu threatens ecosystem integrity. Remedial measures suggested include fencing, maintaining fire lines, and restricting movement of people and livestock on the hilltop.
Travel
Presently, the 4 km approach to the temple premises is traversed by devotees using various transportation modes. ITDA Eturunagaram has developed pucca roads replacing earlier rough tracks making the travel easier. Mallur is about 90 km from Bhadrachalam and 130 km from Warangal City.
Contact
Telephone: +91-9440634985 and +91-9666887393
E-mail: info@hemachelam.info
Nearby Attractions
- Chintamani perennial stream & waterfall (on-site)
- Eturunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
- Laknavaram Lake
- Bhadrachalam Temple
- Ramappa Temple (nearby region)
Suggested Itinerary
- Start early from Warangal or Bhadrachalam.
- Reach Mallur village / Mangapet; approach Mallur Gutta and trek to temple.
- Explore Chintamani waterfall and sacred grove.
- Spend time at the temple for darshan; attend festivals if visiting in May for Vasanthothsav.
- Return via Eturunagaram or visit nearby Laknavaram or Bhadrachalam.
Sources & References
- Suthari S, Kandagalta R, Ragan A, Raju VS. Plant wealth of a sacred grove: Mallur Gutta, Telangana state, India. Int J Gen Med. 2016 Oct 26;9:369-381. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S83441. PMID: 27822080; PMCID: PMC5087761.
- Deccan Chronicle – Hyderabad team finds huge Satavahana fort wall in forest. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/travel/190117/hyderabad-team-finds-huge-satavahana-fort-wall-in-forest.html
- Official Hemachalam Temple website – http://hemachalam.com/Default.aspx