A forgotten treasure in the Telangana forest. The Rock Cut Cave Temples of Adavi Somanapalli, locally reported as Nainag Gullu, are among the remote and lesser-known heritage sites of Telangana. Hewn from rock, the caves have suffered deterioration and damage over time, yet they retain traces of historic painted murals. Published reports differ on the precise date of the complex; an archaeological official quoted by The Times of India in 2018 attributed the temple complex to the 9th century CE. The caves have been compared architecturally with the rock-cut temples of Moghalrajpuram near Vijayawada, which are associated with the Vishnukundin period. The Adavi Somanapalli caves themselves, however, should not be presented as definitively constructed by the Vishnukundins.
The caves are reported to have been originally associated with Jainism and later adapted as Shiva shrines. The site contains traces of murals in black, red, blue, and yellow, with reported depictions of men and women, dancers, archers, horse-drawn chariots, battle scenes, and architectural or royal imagery. Their visual treatment has been described as reminiscent of Ajanta, indicating an interesting artistic comparison with the wider Indian rock-cut painting tradition. The site is locally associated with Maha Shivaratri, when surrounding communities gather for worship.
The peril of whitewash: a heritage tragedy. In February 2018, during Shivaratri celebrations, portions of the ancient rock art were reported to have been whitewashed. The incident drew attention to the vulnerable condition of the site. The State Archaeology Department was subsequently reported to have prepared a proposal concerning protection and conservation of the paintings. The murals were described in contemporary reports as showing scantily dressed men and women adorned with crowns, necklaces, leaf-shaped earrings, bracelets, and sacred threads, along with dancers, courtesans, battle scenes, horse-drawn chariots, archers, and palace-like structures. Much of this artwork has since been described as damaged or obscured.
Architectural Context and Ajanta-like Murals
The Vishnukundin dynasty flourished in parts of the Deccan during the early medieval period and is associated with important rock-cut monuments, including those at Moghalrajpuram near Vijayawada. The Adavi Somanapalli caves have been compared with such rock-cut architecture, but this comparison does not by itself establish Vishnukundin patronage at Adavi Somanapalli. The complex is generally regarded as an early-medieval rock-cut site, with one archaeological official quoted in 2018 assigning it to the 9th century CE. Other published accounts have proposed different dates, so the chronology should be treated as reported rather than absolutely settled.
Traces of painted decoration are an important feature of the caves. Contemporary reports describe natural-looking pigments including black, red, blue, and yellow, with human figures, dancers, archers, chariots, battle scenes, and other imagery. Their treatment has been described as reminiscent of Ajanta; however, this is a stylistic comparison and should not be taken as proof of direct artistic transmission or the movement of itinerant painters between Ajanta and Adavi Somanapalli.
The Four Rock-Cut Temples (Nainag Gullu)
Maha Shivaratri – A Major Local Festival
The caves receive particular attention during Maha Shivaratri, when local residents and surrounding communities gather for worship. The present Shiva association reflects the later religious use of the cave complex, which is reported to have originally been associated with Jainism. In February 2018, portions of the ancient painted surfaces were reported to have been whitewashed during Shivaratri celebrations, highlighting the vulnerability of the site's surviving rock art. Visitors should therefore avoid touching, painting, whitewashing, or otherwise altering the cave surfaces and should follow any instructions issued by local or archaeological authorities.
Visitor Information – Timings & Access
Timings & Best Season
Access: No verified official public opening hours were located. Because the site is remote and reached by a forest trek, visit during daylight hours and confirm local access conditions before travelling.
Entry fee: No verified current official entry fee information was located.
Best season: October to February is generally more comfortable for outdoor trekking. Exercise additional caution during the monsoon when forest trails and rocks may become slippery.
Festival visit: Maha Shivaratri attracts local worshippers and can provide a distinctive cultural experience, but visitors should respect religious activity and protect the surviving heritage.
Location & Access
Base village: Thadicherla, Malhar Rao Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
Access: Published reports describe a roughly 4 km trek from Thadicherla to the caves.
Road: The approach is from the Kataram–Manthani route, followed by the forest approach toward the caves.
Nearest town: Manthani is reported to be approximately 22 km from the site.
Parking: Local parking arrangements should be confirmed at Thadicherla before beginning the trek.
How to Reach Adavisomanapally Caves
From Hyderabad: Travel toward the Jayashankar Bhupalpally region via the major road network toward Warangal and onward toward the Kataram–Manthani area. Continue toward Thadicherla, where the reported trekking approach begins. Allow sufficient additional time for the final forest approach.
From Manthani (≈22 km): Travel toward the Kataram–Manthani route and proceed toward Thadicherla. From Thadicherla, the reported approach to the caves involves a roughly 4 km trek.
By Train: Manthani and Warangal are useful rail/transport points for reaching the wider region, but the final road and trekking distance should be confirmed locally before travel.
By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is the nearest major international airport. Road travel from Hyderabad requires a substantial journey through the Telangana interior.
Heritage & Trekking Itinerary (2 Days)
Day 1 – Drive & Trek to the Caves
- Early morning: Start from Hyderabad or another overnight base and travel toward the Kataram–Manthani route and Thadicherla.
- Late morning: Reach Thadicherla, arrange parking and, where possible, obtain local guidance for the forest approach.
- Late morning / midday: Begin the reported 4 km jungle trek to Adavi Somanapalli. Carry sufficient water, food, and basic first-aid supplies.
- Afternoon: Explore the four cave temples, surviving sculptures, inscriptions, and remaining traces of murals without touching or disturbing the surfaces.
- Before dark: Return to Thadicherla and continue to Manthani or another suitable overnight base.
Day 2 – Manthani Temples & Return
- Morning: Explore heritage sites and temples in the Manthani area.
- Late morning: Continue to other nearby heritage or religious attractions according to current road and site conditions.
- Afternoon: Begin the return journey toward Hyderabad, allowing sufficient time for the drive.
- Evening: Complete the journey according to traffic and road conditions.
Nearby Attractions – Heritage & Nature
Where to Stay & Eat
Accommodation Options
- No accommodation at the cave site is documented in the sources reviewed.
- Manthani: The nearest established town mentioned in published travel descriptions; confirm current lodging availability before travel.
- Bhupalpally: Offers additional accommodation options in the district headquarters area.
- Warangal: Provides a wider range of hotels and can serve as a larger-city base.
Food & Essentials
- Do not rely on food or water facilities at the caves; carry sufficient supplies.
- Restaurants and shops are more readily available in Manthani, Bhupalpally, and other larger settlements.
- Pack a high-energy meal or snacks for the trekking portion of the visit.
Essential Travel Tips & Safety
Heritage protection: The surviving paintings, inscriptions, sculptures, and rock surfaces are vulnerable. Do not touch, scratch, paint, whitewash, or deface the caves. Do not use any material or cleaning method on the painted surfaces. Visitors should follow instructions from local custodians and archaeological or forest authorities. The 2018 whitewashing incident demonstrates why responsible visitation and heritage awareness are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the caves safe to visit?
A: The site is remote and involves a forest trek. Conditions can vary, so visitors should use caution, avoid loose or unstable rock, carry basic first-aid supplies, and preferably travel with local guidance.
Q: Is there any entry fee?
A: No verified current official entry fee information was located. Confirm locally before visiting.
Q: Can I see the murals clearly?
A: The surviving paintings are described as faint and damaged. Some painted surfaces were reportedly affected by whitewashing in 2018, so visitors should not expect the murals to remain fully visible.
Q: Do I need a guide?
A: Local guidance is advisable because the caves are remote and the approach involves a forest trek. Arrange guidance at Thadicherla where possible.
Q: Is the site a protected monument?
A: The 2018 Times of India report stated that the caves were not then on the protected list. A protection/conservation proposal was subsequently reported, but the current legal protection status should be confirmed with the relevant Telangana heritage or archaeology authorities.
Q: When is the best time to visit?
A: October to February generally offers more comfortable conditions for trekking. Visit during daylight and exercise additional caution during the monsoon.