📛 Name Clarification
Bandlapahad Forest Rock Art Zone is the formal archaeological name used by researchers and heritage documentation teams. Bandhala Rock Art (or Bandhala Gutta/Pahad) is the local nickname — Bandhala meaning "of the rocks" / "rocky place", and Pahad/Gutta meaning hill or hillock. Both refer to the same archaeological landscape.
Discovering Bandlapahad Forest Rock Art Zone, hidden deep in the forests of Tadvai Mandal, Mulugu district where every etched animal whispers stories from over 5,000 years ago. Carved during the Mesolithic Age (circa 8000–3000 BCE), this rare rock art features astonishing depictions of wildlife rendered in rich red tones, devoid of human figures or weaponry — hinting at a time when nature itself took centre stage in the lives and beliefs of our ancestors.
These remarkable paintings were discovered near Bandala village, close to Ooragutta, alongside an extraordinary Iron Age megalithic site brimming with unique dolmenoid structures, each crafted with a distinct architectural flair shaped around its capstone. The site, discovered by a team comprising K.P. Rao, history professor at the University of Hyderabad, and Ch Praveen Raju, a research scholar, contains over 200 megalithic monuments dating to around 1,000 BCE.
Bandlapahad's rock art and megaliths invite us to pause and reflect on a time when humans and wildlife interwove their destinies through art, survival, and spiritual reverence. Let's celebrate and protect this fragile heritage as we continue exploring the depths of our shared past.
1 The Artwork · A Mesolithic Bestiary
Wildlife rendered in rich red tones — no humans, no weapons, no domestic animals.
2 Iron Age Megalithic Site · Over 200 Unique Monuments
A unique Iron Age site with dolmenoid structures unlike any other in India.
Ooragutta · A New Type of Megalithic Monument
Alongside the rock art, archaeologists discovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village. The site contains over 200 megalithic monuments dating to around 1,000 BCE.
What makes this site truly exceptional is the new type of monument found here, which has not come to light anywhere else in India. Unlike the typical squarish or rectangular 'Dolmenoid Cists' found in the region, the monuments at Ooragutta have side slabs arranged following the shape of the cap-stone, giving each structure a unique shape dictated by its capstone.
Prof. Rao notes that in Europe, such monuments are known as Passage Chambers, and it is likely that this type of monument gave rise to the more evolved squarish and rectangular forms.
3 Discovery & Significance · A Major Archaeological Find
4 Visitor Information
📍 Address & Access
Bandlapahad Forest Rock Art Zone
(Also known locally as Bandhala Rock Art)
Bandala Village, SS Tadvai Mandal,
Mulugu District, Telangana, India
Distance:
≈ 90 km from Warangal
≈ 300 km from Hyderabad
Nearest Town: Tadvai (≈ 6 km)
Access:
The site is located in a dense forest area in the tribal-dominated district.
A trek through the forest from the road head leads to the site.
🕐 Timings & Best Season
Best Season:
October – February (pleasant weather).
Avoid summer (April–June) – very hot.
Entry Fee: Free
Note:
Carry water and snacks – no facilities at the site.
Wear sturdy shoes for the trek.
Mobile network is patchy.
Hire a local guide familiar with the forest and site locations.
🚗 How to Reach
From Warangal (≈90 km, ≈3 hours):
Take the Warangal–Mulugu highway. From Tadvai, follow local directions to Bandala village and Ooragutta.
From Hyderabad (≈300 km, ≈7 hours):
Take NH163 to Warangal, then proceed to Mulugu, Tadvai, and Bandala.
Local Access:
A trek through the dense forest from the road head leads to the rock shelters and megalithic site.
5 Suggested Itineraries
2‑Day "Mulugu Heritage" Circuit
- Day 1: Start from Hyderabad. Visit Bandlapahad Forest (rock art + Ooragutta megaliths). Overnight at Mulugu or Warangal.
- Day 2: Morning visit to Moddugutta and Darvajalagutta rock art sites. Afternoon explore Warangal Fort and the Thousand Pillar Temple. Return via Hyderabad.
Nearby Attractions – Heritage & Nature
Extend your journey beyond Bandlapahad with these handpicked destinations — from UNESCO‑listed temples to other prehistoric rock art sites.
6 Where to Stay & Eat
Accommodation
- Tadvai: Basic lodges and guest houses.
- Mulugu (30 km): Limited accommodation options.
- Warangal (90 km): Wide range of hotels and resorts.
- Eturnagaram (70 km): Forest guest houses (ITDA).
Food & Tips
- No eateries near the site – carry packed food and water.
- Meals available at Tadvai town (6 km) or Mulugu.
- Try local Telangana cuisine at Warangal.
7 Travel Tips & Safety
Pro tip: The Bandlapahad site complex includes both Mesolithic rock art and an Iron Age megalithic site with over 200 monuments. A local guide is essential to locate both the rock shelters and the megalithic structures scattered across the forested slopes. Do not touch the paintings — oils from skin can accelerate deterioration. The best time for photography is early morning when the red ochre pigments glow in the soft light.
8 Conservation Concern
Conservation note: The rock paintings and megalithic structures at Bandlapahad Forest are fragile and irreplaceable. Located in a dense forest area, the site faces threats from natural weathering, vegetation growth, and human interference.
The exact number of monuments could not be counted due to the dense forest and slopes of the hill, indicating the urgent need for documentation and protection. Researchers and heritage enthusiasts have urged the government to initiate stronger protection measures to safeguard these fragile windows into Telangana's prehistoric heritage.
Suggested measures: Fencing, signage, controlled access, and systematic documentation of both the rock art and megalithic structures. Visitors are requested not to touch the paintings, not to disturb the megalithic structures, and to report any damage to the local archaeological authorities.
9 Conclusion · Echoes of the Mesolithic in the Forests of Mulugu
Whether you are an archaeology enthusiast, a history student, a photographer, or a curious traveller, Bandlapahad Forest offers a rare and intimate encounter with our prehistoric past — from the animal paintings of the Mesolithic to the unique dolmenoid structures of the Iron Age. The best time to visit is between October and February. Hire a local guide, pack plenty of water, and step back in time to the world of the first artists and monument builders of the Deccan.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the correct name of this site?
A: The formal archaeological name is Bandlapahad Forest Rock Art Zone.
Bandhala Rock Art (or Bandhala Gutta/Pahad) is the local nickname — both refer to the same site.
Q: How old are the paintings?
A: The paintings are dated to the Mesolithic Age (8000–3000 BCE).
Q: What is special about the megalithic site?
A: The Ooragutta site contains over 200 unique dolmenoid structures with side slabs arranged to follow the shape of the cap-stone — a type not found anywhere else in India.
Q: Who discovered these sites?
A: The sites were discovered in 2024 by K.P. Rao (University of Hyderabad) and Ch Praveen Raju (Yogi Vemana University).
Q: How many megalithic monuments are there?
A: There appear to be more than 200 megalithic monuments at the site.
Q: How to reach Bandlapahad?
A: From Warangal (≈90 km) or Hyderabad (≈300 km). A trek through the dense forest from the road head leads to the site.
- News Reports: The Hindu – Three new archaeological sites discovered in Telangana's Ooragutta.
- Current Affairs: IAS Gyan – Discovery of New Archaeological Sites in Telangana.
- Current Affairs: Bank Exams Today – Two New Archaeological Sites Discovered in Telangana.
- Academic Context: Drishti IAS – Archaeological Sites Discovered in Telangana (Mesolithic & Megalithic periods).