Telangana360

🙏 Gandhari Maisamma Jatara Biennial tribal festival at Gandhari Fort | Magha Masam | Traditional dances, rituals & cultural heritage 🎭 Gandhari Maisamma Jatara – a grand biennial tribal festival celebrated at Gandhari Fort (Gandhari Khilla) , near Bokkalagutta village, Mandamarri Mandal, Mancherial district, Telangana . Held during the full moon of Magha masam (January–February) for three days, the jatara attracts thousands of tribals from Gonds, Naikpods, Koyas, Mannes communities, as well as devotees from neighbouring Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The festival features traditional dances like Thappetagullu and Pillanagovi , oral storytelling, Pedda Puja rituals, and the unique Ranam Kudupu – a ceremonial sacrifice linked to medieval battle traditions. After a 17‑year suspension, the jatara was revived in 2016 with government support, including a BT road, drinking water points, and improved access to the hilltop Maisamma temple. ...

🛕 Devuni Gutta Temple Ancient hill shrine with a water trail | 6th–7th century CE | Near Kothur village, Mulugu, Telangana 🏔️ Devuni Gutta Temple – a hidden hill shrine located about 2.5 km from Kothur village , near Jangalapalli of Mulugu mandal, Mulugu district, Telangana . This ancient temple, known only to locals, stands atop a hill called Devuni Gutta and is accessed by a fascinating trek through dense forest. The path transforms into a stream for nearly a kilometer , creating a unique water trail dotted with small waterfalls. The temple, estimated to be over 2,000 years old (6th–7th century CE by historians), features exquisite sandstone carvings depicting sages, monks, dancers, and animals. A natural pond beside the temple feeds into Laknavaram Lake. Best visited October to February when the stream is flowing but not dangerous. 🕉️ 6th‑7th Century CE 💧 Water trail trek 🏞️ Nat...

🕯️ Medaram Jathara: The World’s Largest Tribal Festival Sammakka Sarakka Jatara | Biennial Pilgrimage | Over 1 Crore Devotees | Mulugu, Telangana 📍 Medaram Jathara (Sammakka Sarakka Jatara) is a biennial tribal festival held in Medaram village, Tadvai Mandal, Mulugu district, Telangana , about 100 km from Warangal and 270 km from Hyderabad . It is recognised as the largest tribal religious congregation in Asia and arguably the world’s largest tribal festival – often called the “Kumbh Mela of Telangana” . The four‑day festival honours the forest goddesses Samakka and her daughter Sarakka , tribal heroines who led a revolt against the Kakatiya rulers in the 13th century. The festival is held every two years in February (Magha Shuddha Pournami) . Over 1 crore (10 million) devotees from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh participate, making it one of the largest human gatherings in India. ...

🕉️ Saleshwaram (Sarveshwaram Teertha Kshetra): The Dakshina Amarnath Hidden Shiva Cave Temple | 200ft Perennial Waterfall | 6km Trek | Nallamala Forest, Telangana 📍 Saleshwaram (also known as Sarveshwaram Teertha Kshetra) is a mystical Shiva cave temple hidden deep in the Nallamala Hills of Nagarkurnool district, Telangana , within the Amrabad Tiger Reserve . The presiding deity is Sri Ramalingeshwara Swamy (Lord Shiva as Lingamayya) , worshipped by the indigenous Chenchu tribe. The temple is set beside a perennial waterfall (200–300 feet) that flows through the sanctum, creating a divine spectacle. Accessible mainly during the annual 5‑day Saleshwaram Jatara in April (Chaitra Pournami) , this site is known as the “Dakshina Amarnath” – the southern counterpart of the Amarnath Yatra. With forest department permission, eco‑trekkers can also visit during other months (Nov–Feb). 🕉️ Dakshina Amarnath ...