District Overview
Mulugu district, also known as Sammakka Saralamma Mulugu district, was formed on February 17, 2019, when it was carved out of the erstwhile Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. Jayashankar Bhupalpally was itself created on October 11, 2016, as part of the state's district reorganisation. Prior to that, the area was part of the undivided Warangal district.
Often called the "Tribal Capital of Telangana", Mulugu is home to a significant tribal population and the world‑famous Medaram Jathara – Asia's largest tribal festival. The district is a land of pristine forests, magnificent waterfalls, and ancient temples. It is home to the famous Laknavaram Lake with its hanging bridge, the thundering Bogatha Waterfall, and the historic Ramappa Temple (UNESCO World Heritage).
Bordered by the Godavari river and dense teak forests, Mulugu offers an unspoilt natural retreat for nature lovers, trekkers, and cultural explorers.
Formation: 17 February 2019 | Population: 2,57,744 (2011 census, lowest in Telangana) | Headquarters: Mulugu town on NH 163
Discover Mulugu – Telangana's Untamed Wilderness
Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, Mulugu district is a hidden paradise of thundering waterfalls, ancient temples, and dense teak forests. Home to Telangana's highest cascades – the 977‑ft Alapaka Crescent Falls and the mighty Bogatha – this region is a dream for trekkers and nature lovers. Beyond the falls, step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple, a 13th‑century Kakatiya masterpiece, or spot tigers and sloth bears at the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary. With serene lakes, megalithic sites, and the pristine Venkatapuram–Wazeedu forest belt waiting to be explored, Mulugu offers an off‑beat adventure like no other.
Top Attractions in Mulugu
Waterfalls
Alapaka Crescent Falls
Alubaka [Z], Mulugu District – Highest waterfall in Telangana (977 ft) with a crescent-shaped drop.
Gaddalasari Waterfalls
Veerabhadravaram, Venkatapuram Mandal – Second highest in Telangana (~700 ft) with a spectacular plunge.
Muthyam Dhara Waterfalls
Veerabhadravaram, Venkatapuram Mandal – Milky white cascade with a 10 km round trek through dense forest.
Vontimamidi Lodhi
Mangavaigudem, Venkatapuram Mandal – Hidden waterfall in dense forest with a challenging trek.
Bogatha Waterfall
Koyaveerapuram G, Wazeedu Mandal, Mulugu District – "Niagara of Telangana" – a wide 30-ft cascade with a natural pool.
Mashenuloddi Waterfall
Dulapuram, Wajedu Mandal – A pristine hidden gem with a short 1 km forest trek.
All these waterfalls are located in the Venkatapuram–Wazeedu forest belt of Mulugu district.
Heritage & Temples
Ramappa Temple (UNESCO)
13th-century Kakatiya marvel, famous for floating bricks and intricate sculptural art.
Mallur Gutta Fort
Hilltop fort with a Narasimha Swamy temple and sweeping views of the surrounding forest.
Devuni Gutta Temple
Ancient megalithic site and hilltop temple, offering a window into early tribal and Hindu worship.
Lakes & Nature
Laknavaram Lake
Picturesque lake with a floating bridge and hanging bridge, surrounded by lush green forests.
Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
Oldest wildlife sanctuary in Telangana, home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and rich birdlife.
Ramappa Lake
Serene man-made lake built during the Kakatiya era, perfect for boating and scenic picnics.
Travel Guide
How to Reach
By Road: NH 163 passes through Mulugu town, connecting it to Warangal (≈110 km) and Bhopalpatnam. Regular RTC buses and private vehicles are available from Warangal, Hyderabad, and Bhadrachalam.
By Rail: The nearest major railway station is Warangal Junction (≈110 km), which is well‑connected to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and other major cities.
By Air: The nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (≈270 km). From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Mulugu.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Mulugu is October to March, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for exploring waterfalls, lakes, and forests. The monsoon season (July–September) rejuvenates the waterfalls and brings lush greenery, making it a great time for nature enthusiasts.
Safety Tips
- Always hire a local tribal guide for waterfall treks (Kongala, Vontimamidi, Mashenuloddi).
- Carry sufficient water, food, and a first‑aid kit – most sites have no shops.
- Wear sturdy trekking shoes, especially during the monsoon when trails are slippery.
- Be cautious of leeches after rains – wear long trousers and carry salt.
- Mobile networks are absent in most forest areas – plan ahead.
- Respect the forest – leave no trace and take only photographs.
Where to Stay
- Laknavaram Lake: Telangana Tourism’s Haritha hotel offers A/C and Non‑A/C rooms with lake views.
- Mulugu Town: Government guest houses, lodges, and private hotels are available.
- Warangal: A wide range of hotels and resorts for all budgets.
- Eturnagaram: Forest rest houses and small lodges.
Suggested Itineraries
One‑Day Itinerary (Warangal → Mulugu)
- Morning: Drive from Warangal to Mulugu (≈2 hrs). Visit Laknavaram Lake – explore the hanging bridge, boating, and birdwatching.
- Afternoon: Head to Bogatha Waterfall (≈1.5 hrs). Enjoy the waterfall, natural pool, and a picnic lunch.
- Evening: Return via Ramappa Temple for a quick heritage stop. Drive back to Warangal.
Two‑Day Itinerary (Deep Exploration)
- Day 1: Arrive in Mulugu. Visit Ramappa Temple and Ramappa Lake. Afternoon: Laknavaram Lake with boating and sunset. Overnight at Haritha resort or Mulugu town.
- Day 2: Early morning drive to Bogatha Waterfall (30 km from Eturnagaram). Afternoon: Explore Kongala Waterfalls or Vontimamidi Lodhi (with local guide). Return to Warangal or Hyderabad in the evening.
History & Heritage
Name Origin: The name "Mulugu" is derived from the local word meaning "origin" or "source" – a reference to the many streams that originate here and feed the Godavari river. The district is often called the "Tribal Capital of Telangana" due to its significant tribal population and the world-famous Medaram Jathara.
Early Settlements: Archaeological discoveries confirm that the region preserves Lower Paleolithic human activity. In late 2023, floods exposed a dried stream bed between Gurrevula and Bhupathipuram villages, revealing quartzite hand axes, cleavers, and other heavy‑duty tools. A significant Paleolithic tool‑manufacturing site was identified at Bhupathipur in Kannaigudem mandal.
Megalithic Era: The district is a major megalithic locus, with hundreds of dolmen burial chambers and anthropomorphic menhirs. Jajirala Hill in Bommai Gudem village, Mangapet Mandal, has yielded three rare human‑shaped menhirs. Prehistoric burial sites in Motlagudem village are believed to be one of the largest concentrations of dolmen burials in India.
Ancient & Medieval Periods: The region features the massive Mallur Gutta Fort (Satavahana period, 1st–3rd century CE), with an 8 km‑radius fortification wall – reportedly even larger than the Warangal and Golconda forts. The area later came under the Kakatiya dynasty, leaving behind the iconic Ramappa Temple (built in 1213 AD) and other architectural marvels.
Kakatiya Heritage: The Kakatiya rulers built the famous Ramappa Temple, described by historians as "the brightest gem of Kakatiya architecture." Built in 1213 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is the only temple in India named after its architect, Ramappa. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021.
Culture & Festivals
Medaram Jatara (Sammakka Sarakka Jatara): Asia's largest tribal congregation, held biennially in Medaram village, Tadvai Mandal. It honours the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka, revered by the Koya Adivasi community. The festival draws over 3 crore devotees and features traditional rituals, sacrifices, and vibrant tribal dances.
Bathukamma: A floral festival celebrated by women across Telangana, including Mulugu. Women arrange seasonal flowers in a conical stack and sing folk songs, celebrating the goddess of life and fertility.
Bonalu: A traditional festival dedicated to the mother goddess, celebrated with processions, drum beats, and offerings. It is particularly vibrant in the tribal and rural areas of the district.
Jampanna Vagu: Also called Sampangi Vagu or Laknavaram River, it is a sacred river in Mulugu tied to the Sammakka‑Sarakka legends. Devotees take a holy dip here during the Medaram Jatara.
Mandals of Mulugu District
Mulugu district has 2 revenue divisions and 10 mandals.
Revenue Division & Mandals
Mulugu Division
Mulugu, Govindaraopet, Mallampalli, Mangapet, Venkatapur
Eturunagaram Division
Eturunagaram, Kannaigudem, Sammakka Sarakka Tadvai, Venkatapuram, Wazeedu
Mallampalli was added as a new mandal in 2023, bringing the total from 9 to 10.
Administration
Vehicle Registration: TG‑37
Headquarters: Mulugu town located on NH 163.
Assembly Constituency: 1 (Mulugu).
Villages in Each Mandal
Eturunagaram: Akulavarighanpur, Chalpaka, Chinaboinapally, Eturnagaram, Kondai, Koyaguda, Mullakata, Ramnnagudem, Roheer, Shankarajpally, Shapally, Shivapur
Govindaraopet: Balajinagar, Bussapur, Chalwai, Gandhinagar, Govindaraopet, Karlapally, Kotagadda, Laknavaram, Laxmipur, Machapur, Motlagudem, Muthapur, Papalapally, Pasra, Raghavapatnam, Ramnagar, Rangapur, Somalagadda
Kannaigudem: Buttaigudem, Chinthagudem, Etur, Gurrevula, Ilapur, Kanthanapally, Laxmipuram, Muppanapally, Rajannapeta, Sarvai, Thupakala Gudem
Mangapet: Akinapally Mallaram, Balannagudem, Brahmanapally, Buchampet, Cherupally, Chunchupally, Domeda, Kamalapur, Kathigudem, Komatipally, Kotha Malluru, Kothur Motlagudem, Malluru, Mangapet, Narsaigudem, Narsapur Bore, Narsima Sagar, Nimmagudem, Puredupally, Rajupet, Ramachandrunipet, Ramanakkapet, Thimmampet, Vagoddugudem, Wadagudem
Sammakka Sarakka Tadvai: Ankamapalli, Bandala, Bayyakkapet, Beerelli, Dameravai, Gangaram, Kalwapalli, Kamaram PT, Katapur, Lingala, Medaram, Narlapur, Narsapur PA, Oorattam, Pambapur, Rangapur, Tadvai, Vengalapur
Mulugu: Abbapur, Ankannagudem, Bandarupally, Banjarupally, Barigalapally, Devagiri Patnam, Incherla, Jagganapet, Jakaram, Jangalapally, Jeevantharapally, Kannaigudem, Kasimdevipet, Kodishalakunta, Kothur, Madanpally, Mulugu, Panchothkalapally, Pathipally, Pegadapally, Potlapur, Rainigudem, sarvapur
Venkatapuram: Alubaka, Barlagudem, BC Marrigudem, Bestagudem, Bodapuram, Edira, Marikala, Morravanigudem, Nuguru, Pathrapuram, Rachapalli, Ramachandrapuram, Suraveedu, Thippapuram, Uppedu veerapuram, Veerabhadravaram, Venkatapuram, VRK Puram
Venkatapur: Adavirangapur, Burgupet, Chakravarthipally, Inchenchervupally, Jawaharnagar, Keshavapur, Laxmidevipet, Laxmipuram, Lingapur, Mallaiapally, Nallagunta, Narayanagiripally, Narsapur, Narsingspur, Palampet, Papaiahpally, Raheshwararaopalli, Ramanjapur, Singaraguntapally, Thimmapur, Velthurlapally, Venkapur, Yellareddypalli
Wazeedu: Ayyavaripeta, Chandrupatla, Cheekupalli, Cherukuru, Chintoor, Dharmavaram, Dhulapuram, Edjerlapally, Gummadidoddi, Kongala, Krishnapuram, Murumuru, Nagaram, Peddagollagudem, Peruru, Pusuru, Tekulagudem
Mallampally: Mallampally, Md. Gausepally, Mudhurur thanda, Ramachandrapur, Shivathanda, Srinagr, Guthurthanda, Devangar, Bhupalmnagar, Kodishalakunta
Source: mulugu.telangana.gov.in
FAQs
When was Mulugu district formed?
Mulugu district was formed on February 17, 2019, by bifurcating Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.
What is Mulugu famous for?
Mulugu is famous for the Medaram Jatara (Asia's largest tribal festival), Laknavaram Lake, Bogatha Waterfall, and the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple.
How many mandals are there in Mulugu district?
There are 10 mandals in Mulugu district, spread across 2 revenue divisions.
What is the best time to visit Mulugu?
The best time is October to March, with pleasant weather ideal for sightseeing. The monsoon season (July–September) is also great for waterfalls.
What is the population of Mulugu district?
As per the 2011 census, the population is 2,57,744, making it the least populated district in Telangana.
Explore Mulugu
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References
- Official Website: mulugu.telangana.gov.in
- Census of India 2011: Mulugu district population data
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Ramappa Temple (Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple) – Inscribed 2021
- District Administration: Mulugu District Collector’s office
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Megalithic sites and Paleolithic discoveries in Mulugu region
- Wikipedia: Mulugu district – Wikipedia
All content is compiled from official government sources, census reports, and our own extensive field research.