Telangana360

🏰 Medak Fort (Methukudurgam) Kakatiya & Qutb Shahi citadel | 500+ steps | 3 grand gates | Panoramic views | Medak, Telangana ⛰️ Medak Fort (originally Methukudurgam) – a majestic hill fort located in Medak town, Medak district, Telangana , approximately 95 km from Hyderabad . Built between 1139–1157 AD by Prolaraju II of the Kakatiya dynasty , the fort served as a strategic second capital and military command post. Spread over 100 acres atop a granite hill, it features three grand entrances – Prathama Dwaram, Simha Dwaram (with snarling lions), and Gaja Dwaram (with interlocked elephants). The fort showcases a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, with a 17th‑century mosque on the summit and the Gandabherundam (double‑headed eagle) emblem of the Kakatiyas. A 3.2‑metre cannon , a stepped well ( Raju‑Rani cheruvu ), and the Gulshan Mahal (now a Haritha Resort) are among its highlights. The fort is in a ruinous state but offers s...

🕉️ Basara Saraswathi Temple: The Gnana Saraswati of the South One of India’s Two Saraswati Temples | Akshara Abhyasam | Western Chalukya Inscriptions (1147 CE) 📍 Basara Saraswathi Temple (Gnana Saraswati Temple) is located in Basara town, Nirmal district, Telangana , on the banks of the Godavari River , about 205 km from Hyderabad . It is one of only two famous Saraswati temples in India (the other being in Jammu & Kashmir). The temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati , the deity of knowledge, music, and the arts. Unique to this temple, it houses the divine trinity: Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali . The temple is most famous for the Akshara Abhyasam ceremony – the sacred initiation of children into the world of letters. Historically, the temple's construction is attributed to King Bijialudu of the Nandagiri province (6th century). Epigraphical records from the Western Chalukya period (1147 CE) confirm that Basara was known as “Ag...

🦌 Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary: Safari, Birds & Scenic Reservoir 130 sq km of Wilderness | Leopards, Sloth Bears & Bar-Headed Geese | Medak, Telangana 📍 Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Medak and Nizamabad districts of Telangana, about 150 km north of Hyderabad . Established in 1952 by the Nizam of Hyderabad, the sanctuary spans 130 sq. km and is named after the scenic Pocharam Lake (formed by the Allair River dam built between 1916–1922). This protected area is a haven for wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, sambar, chital, nilgai, and over 100 bird species. The reservoir and its nine small islands serve as critical breeding grounds for crocodiles, turtles, and migratory waterbirds like bar‑headed geese, painted storks, and openbills. The sanctuary offers a 4.5 km walking/jeep safari trail , a central watchtower for birdwatching, and access to the beautiful Pocharam Dam. 🦌 Es...

⛪ Medak Cathedral: Asia’s Largest Diocese & Gothic Masterpiece A 1924 Architectural Marvel | Stained Glass by Sir Frank Salisbury | Medak, Telangana 📍 Medak Cathedral (CSI Medak Cathedral) is a stunning Gothic-style church located in Medak town, Medak district, Telangana , about 90 km from Hyderabad . Officially consecrated on 25th December 1924 , it was built by Reverend Charles Walker Posnett during the British era. The Medak diocese, under the Church of South India (CSI), is the single largest diocese in Asia and the second largest in the world after the Vatican. The cathedral is renowned for its three magnificent stained glass windows by British artist Sir Frank Owen Salisbury , depicting the Nativity, Crucifixion, and Ascension. The 173‑foot main tower is surrounded by four pinnacles, and the church can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers at once. Built on a sprawling 1,000 acres (originally), it stands as a testament to fa...