District Overview
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 referred to as the "Tribal Capital of Telangana", Mulugu is home to a significant tribal population and the world-famous Medaram Jatara, one of Asia's largest tribal festivals. The district is a land of forests, 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 Site).
Bordered by the Godavari and extensive forest areas, Mulugu offers a natural retreat for nature lovers, trekkers, and cultural explorers.
Formation: 17 February 2019 | Population: 2,94,671 (2011 Census; least populated district in Telangana) | Headquarters: Mulugu town on NH 163
Discover Mulugu – Telangana's Untamed Wilderness
Located in the forested eastern part of Telangana, Mulugu district is known for waterfalls, ancient temples, dense forests, and lakes. The district contains spectacular forest cascades, including the reported Alapaka Crescent Falls and Gaddalasari Waterfalls, as well as the famous Bogatha Waterfall. Beyond the falls, visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple, a 13th-century Kakatiya masterpiece, and the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary. With serene lakes, megalithic sites, and the forested Venkatapuram–Wazeedu region waiting to be explored, Mulugu offers an off-beat adventure for trekkers and nature lovers.
Top Attractions in Mulugu
Waterfalls
Alapaka Crescent Falls
Alubaka [Z], Mulugu District – spectacular crescent-shaped waterfall reported at approximately 977 ft.
Gaddalasari Waterfalls
Veerabhadravaram, Venkatapuram Mandal – spectacular plunge waterfall with an estimated drop of around 700 ft.
Muthyam Dhara Waterfalls
Veerabhadravaram, Venkatapuram Mandal – milky-white cascade reached by a forest trek of approximately 10 km.
Vontimamidi Lodhi
Mangavaigudem, Venkatapuram Mandal – hidden waterfall in dense forest with a challenging trek.
Bogatha Waterfall
Koyaveerapuram G, Wazeedu Mandal, Mulugu District – popularly called the "Niagara of Telangana," with a broad cascade and natural pool.
Mashenuloddi Waterfall
Dulapuram, Wazeedu Mandal – a pristine hidden waterfall reached by a short forest trek of approximately 1 km.
These waterfalls are concentrated in the forested areas of Venkatapuram, Wazeedu and surrounding parts of Mulugu district.
Heritage & Temples
Ramappa Temple (UNESCO)
13th-century Kakatiya temple complex, famous for lightweight porous bricks, intricate sculpture, and architectural craftsmanship.
Mallur Gutta Fort
Historic hill-fortification complex associated with the Mallur Gutta–Hemachala area, with extensive defensive remains and a Narasimha Swamy temple.
Devuni Gutta Temple
Ancient hilltop temple near Kothur, notable for its distinctive early temple architecture and stone carvings.
Lakes & Nature
Laknavaram Lake
Picturesque lake with a suspension bridge and hanging bridge, surrounded by lush green forests.
Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
One of Telangana's oldest wildlife sanctuaries, known for dry deciduous forests, sloth bears, leopards, and rich birdlife.
Ramappa Lake
Serene man-made lake built during the Kakatiya era, associated with the Ramappa Temple complex and surrounded by scenic countryside.
Travel Guide
How to Reach
By Road: NH 163 passes through Mulugu town, connecting it with Warangal and the eastern parts of Telangana. Regular RTC buses and private vehicles are available from Warangal, Hyderabad, and other nearby cities.
By Rail: The nearest major railway station is Warangal Junction, which is well connected to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and other major cities.
By Air: The nearest major airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. From there, visitors can travel by road to Mulugu.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Mulugu is generally October to March, when the weather is more pleasant for exploring waterfalls, lakes, forests, and heritage sites. The monsoon season can bring lush greenery and stronger waterfall flows, but forest trails may become slippery and difficult.
Safety Tips
- Always use a local guide for remote waterfall and forest treks where appropriate.
- Carry sufficient water, food, and a first-aid kit – remote sites may 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 suitable protection.
- Mobile connectivity may be limited in remote forest areas – plan ahead.
- Respect the forest – leave no trace and take only photographs.
Where to Stay
- Laknavaram Lake: Telangana Tourism's Haritha accommodation is available near the lake.
- Mulugu Town: Government guest houses, lodges, and private hotels are available.
- Warangal: A wide range of hotels and resorts for different budgets.
- Eturnagaram: Forest rest houses and small lodges may be available subject to permissions and availability.
Suggested Itineraries
One-Day Itinerary (Warangal → Mulugu)
- Morning: Drive from Warangal toward Mulugu. Visit Laknavaram Lake – explore the hanging bridge, boating, and scenery.
- Afternoon: Continue toward Bogatha Waterfall. Allow sufficient travel time and check local access conditions before visiting.
- Evening: If time permits, visit Ramappa Temple as a heritage stop before returning toward 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 available accommodation near Laknavaram or in Mulugu town.
- Day 2: Early morning travel toward Bogatha Waterfall. Afternoon: Explore Kongala Waterfalls or Vontimamidi Lodhi where local access and guide arrangements permit. Return to Warangal or Hyderabad in the evening.
History & Heritage
Name: The district takes its name from Mulugu town, which serves as its administrative headquarters.
Early Settlements: Recent archaeological investigations have reported Paleolithic stone tools from Bhupathipur in Kannaigudem Mandal, including hand axes, cleavers, scrapers, and other tools. These discoveries provide evidence of prehistoric human activity in the region.
Megalithic Era: The district contains important megalithic remains, including dolmen burial chambers and anthropomorphic menhirs. Jajirala Hill near Bommai Gudem village in Mangapet Mandal has yielded three reported human-shaped menhirs. Recent archaeological investigations have also documented a large concentration of megalithic dolmen burials around Motlagudem in Tadvai Mandal.
Ancient & Medieval Periods: The region contains historic fortifications and temple remains, including the Mallur Gutta complex and the Hemachala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. Archaeological interpretations associate parts of the Mallur fortification with an early period, although its precise chronology and extent require cautious treatment. The area later became an important part of the Kakatiya cultural landscape, leaving behind the iconic Ramappa Temple and other architectural remains.
Kakatiya Heritage: The Kakatiyas built the famous Ramappa Temple, also known as the Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple. Construction began in 1213 CE during the reign of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is renowned for its intricate sculptures, carved pillars, architectural craftsmanship, and lightweight porous bricks. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021.
Culture & Festivals
Medaram Jatara (Sammakka Sarakka Jatara): A major tribal congregation held biennially in Medaram village, Tadvai Mandal. It honours the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka, revered by the Koya Adivasi community. Millions of devotees attend the festival, which features traditional rituals, offerings, and tribal cultural practices.
Bathukamma: A floral festival celebrated by women across Telangana, including Mulugu. Women arrange seasonal flowers in a conical stack and sing folk songs as part of the festival's traditions.
Bonalu: A traditional festival dedicated to the mother goddess, celebrated with processions, drum beats, and offerings. It is observed in parts of Telangana, including rural areas of Mulugu district.
Jampanna Vagu: A stream and tributary of the Godavari associated with the Sammakka–Sarakka tradition and the Medaram Jatara. Devotees traditionally take a ritual bath in its waters during the festival.
Mandals of Mulugu District
Mulugu district has 1 revenue division and 10 mandals.
Revenue Division & Mandals
Mulugu Revenue Division
Mulugu, Govindaraopet, Mallampally, Mangapet, Venkatapur,
Eturnagaram, Kannaigudem, Sammakka Sarakka Tadvai,
Venkatapuram, Wazeedu
Mallampally was constituted as a new mandal in 2023, increasing the district's mandal count 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, Ramannagudem, 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, Thupakalagudem
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, Srinagar, 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, a major 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, within 1 revenue division.
What is the best time to visit Mulugu?
The best time is generally October to March, with more pleasant weather for sightseeing. The monsoon season can also be attractive for waterfalls, although trails may become slippery.
What is the population of Mulugu district?
As per the 2011 Census, the population was 2,94,671, making Mulugu the least populated district in Telangana.
Explore Mulugu
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Explore Telangana
Discover more districts, waterfalls, temples, forts, and cultural treasures across Telangana.
References
- Official Website: mulugu.telangana.gov.in
- Census of India 2011: Mulugu district population and demographic data
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple – inscribed 2021
- District Administration: Mulugu District Collector's office
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Heritage and archaeological information relating to the region
- Telangana Tourism: Tourism and destination information
- Wikipedia: Mulugu district – Wikipedia
Content has been compiled from government sources, UNESCO, archaeological records, census data, tourism sources, reputable reporting, and field research.