Telangana360

🌿 Hidden Lakes of Nirmal: Turkam & Venganna Eco-Tourism Adventure Turkam (Turkan) and Venganna Cheruvu are located near Dimmadurthi and Naldhurthi amidst dense forests in Mamada Mandal, Nirmal District, Telangana. These hidden gems are proposed to be developed into eco-tourism attractions, offering serenity, adventure, and nature experiences. 🏞️ Overview Turkam Cheruvu is one of the largest water bodies in the region, spread across 55 hectares, and is perennial, receiving water year-round from the Saraswathi Canal. Venganna Cheruvu, spanning 25 hectares, is a paradise for bird-watchers, hosting a variety of avifauna. 🌿 Flora & Fauna Dry and moist deciduous forests with teak, acacia, medicinal herbs, red sandalwood, and sandalwood trees. Wildlife includes Black Buck, Common Fox, Four-horned Antelope, Fruit Bat, Hyena, Indian Wolf, and more. Bird species: Black Drongo, Black-winged Kite, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Blue Pigeon, Black-headed Oriole, Grey Partridge...

Octopus View Point is one of the most scenic and recently developed eco-tourism attractions within the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in the Nallamala Forest Range. Officially opened to the public on 13th October 2017, this viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Krishna River backwaters — whose shape resembles the tentacles of an octopus — and the surrounding lush green forest canopy. Situated close to Domalapenta Forest Checkpost , this site exemplifies the Telangana Forest Department’s ongoing efforts to promote eco-tourism and nature conservation simultaneously. 📍 Location Region: Amrabad Mandal, Nagarkurnool District, Telangana Distance: 5 km before Domalapenta Checkpost 25 km from Farahabad View Point 42 km from Mannanur (Amrabad Tiger Reserve Entry Point) 140 km from Hyderabad via Srisailam Highway Accessibility: Located on the Hyderabad–Srisailam Highway (NH 765) Where to Stay :  https://amrabadtigerreserve.com/domalapenta-akkamaha-devi-stay-package/ 🌿 Highlights Breathtaking View...

Farahabad View Point lies deep inside the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, once a hunting retreat of the Nizams of Hyderabad. Today, it serves as a serene eco-tourism hub offering a glimpse into the heart of the Nallamala Forests, overlooking Mallucheruvu Lake. The place is an eco-adventure paradise — ideal for those who enjoy nature walks, jungle safaris, and camping under starry skies surrounded by the calls of the wild. 🏞️ Overview Location: Near Munnanur, Amrabad Mandal, Nagarkurnool District, Telangana Altitude: ~914 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level Meaning: Farahabad literally means “Mount Pleasant” Best For: Eco-tourism, Jungle Safari, Adventure Camping, Bird & Wildlife Watching Distance: Hyderabad → Farahabad View Point: ~156 km (≈4 hours by road) Hyderabad → Munnanur (Reserve Entry Point): ~138 km 🐅 Safari Details Safari Route: 9 km from Farahabad Entrance Gate Timings: ⏰ 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Daily) Safari Duration: ~2 hours Safari Cost: ₹800 (per 2 hours per vehicle) Highlights:...

The Akka Mahadevi Caves are a series of naturally formed limestone caves on the northern bank of River Krishna, surrounded by lush greenery and the serene backwaters of the Srisailam Dam. Named after Akka Mahadevi, a 12th-century Kannada saint-poet and Veerashaiva philosopher, these caves are believed to be the site of her deep meditation and penance to Lord Shiva, worshipping a naturally formed Swayambhu Shiva Linga in the dark inner sanctum. 📍 Location District: Nagarkurnool, Telangana Within: Nallamala Forest / Amrabad Tiger Reserve Distance: ~18 km from Srisailam (accessible via Srisailam backwaters of the Krishna River) Alternate Name: Swayambhu Shiva Mandir 🕉️ Historical & Spiritual Significance Akka Mahadevi (12th century CE) was a mystic saint of the Veerashaiva Bhakti movement in Karnataka. Her Vachanas (devotional poems) in Kannada are considered milestones in Bhakti literature. The caves house ancient murtis of Kapala Bhairava, Veerabhadra, Mahishasura Mardini, and oth...

The Wild Heart of Telangana Nestled in the verdant Nallamala Hills of Telangana, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) spans nearly 2,611 sq. km, making it India’s second-largest tiger reserve by core area and the sixth-largest overall among the 51 tiger reserves in the country. Part of the Western Ghats eco-zone, this pristine wilderness shelters a mosaic of ancient forests, rugged valleys, sacred caves, and cascading waterfalls — a living sanctuary of biodiversity. Formerly a part of the Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve, ATR was declared a sanctuary in 1983 and officially recognized as Amrabad Tiger Reserve after the bifurcation of Telangana in 2014. It spans the forest divisions of Amrabad and Achampet (Nagarkurnool district) and Nagarjunsagar (Nalgonda district). The reserve’s hilly terrain, deep gorges, and perennial streams form the catchment area of the Krishna River, feeding major reservoirs like Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar Dams. Its biological richness includes Royal Bengal t...

Kadalivanam Caves are located deep within the Nallamalla Forest (part of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve) in Nagarkurnool District, Telangana. The site is nestled at the foot of Srisaila Hill, on the banks of Pathala Ganga, and is considered a significant spiritual center for followers of Sri Datta Guru. Also referred to as Kadali Vanam or Kardaliwan, this site is renowned as a sacred Tapo Sthanam (meditation place) in the Srisaila region. Its importance is highlighted in classical texts like Skanda Purana, Shiva Bhakta Vijayam, and other Shaiva scriptures. Historically, Sri Nrisimha Saraswati Swamy, regarded as the second incarnation of Guru Dattatreya, concluded his earthly avatara here. Kadalivanam Caves combine natural beauty, historical depth, and spiritual significance. Nestled amidst dense forest and flowing streams, it serves as a peaceful retreat for meditation and devotion while offering insights into prehistoric human life in the Nallamalla region. 🗺️ Trekking Route to Kadalivana...

Aggalayya Gutta: A Jain Heritage and Ayurvedic Center Aggalayya Gutta, located on Padmakshi Temple Road in Hanamakonda, Hanumakonda district, Telangana, India, is a site of significant historical and religious importance. It is recognized as a major Jain heritage site and was also a flourishing Ayurvedic medicine center during the 11th century. The hillock is being developed as a Jain Vanam under the HRIDAY scheme by the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA). Key Features and Jain Statuary The site is famous for its imposing Jain sculptures engraved on a massive boulder on the hillock. Tirthankar Shantinatha A striking 30-feet-tall statue of the 16th Jain Tirthankar, Shantinatha, is present. This statue is noted as the second tallest Tirthankara statue in South India, surpassed only by the Bahubali Tirthankara statue in Karnataka. Tirthankar Parshvanatha Also on the huge boulder stone is a 13-feet-tall statue of the 23rd Tirthankar, Parshvanatha. Mahavira A statue of the last Tir...

Cheriyal Scroll Painting is a highly stylized version of Nakashi art, characterized by local motifs peculiar to the Telangana region. The art form gets its name from the village of Cheriyal in the Siddipet district, an hour's drive from Hyderabad, which serves as its last outpost. Historical and Sociological Significance  The tradition originated several hundred years ago and was traditionally practiced by the Nakashi artists. The scrolls were used by the Kaki Podagollu, a traveling community of storytellers and balladeers. This team of performers (usually five people) would travel through Telangana, using the painted scrolls as a visual aid (akin to a comic strip or a film roll) to narrate stories, ballads, and epics to illiterate villagers. This made the Cheriyal scrolls once sociologically and culturally significant as a tool for mass education and entertainment. Traditional Format and Technique Material: Canvas scrolls made from Khadi cloth. Dimensions: A traditional scroll was...

The Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty (c. 1310–1751 AD)was one of the most remarkable tribal kingdoms of central India, flourishing for over four centuries across parts of modern Telangana and Maharashtra. Founded by the legendary Kol Bhill (or Kol Bheel/Kolkhil), a hero who united scattered Gond tribes, the dynasty laid the foundations of a well-organized state with thriving agriculture, fortified cities, and vibrant cultural traditions. The dynasty’s capitals shifted over time—from Sirpur in present-day Komaram Bheem Asifabad (Telangana) to Ballarsha, and finally to Chanda (modern Chandrapur, Maharashtra)—reflecting both strategic and spiritual considerations. The Gonds, one of India’s largest tribal communities, referred to themselves as Koitur or Koya, meaning “people of the green mountains,” and spoke Gondi (Koyator) in several regional variants. Over centuries, the Sirpur-Chanda Gond kings successfully navigated relations with powerful neighbors—the Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Recherla ...

Pangal Fort, located at Pangal in Wanaparthy District of Telangana, is one of the great hill forts of southern India. This area was historically part of Kuruva-70 Nayakara Seema.. Built during the 11th–12th centuries CE by the Kalyani Chalukyas, the fort sprawls across hundreds of acres of rugged granite hills and thorny forest terrain. Designed with seven massive gateways, its most prominent entrance, the Mundlagavini, stands out as an architectural marvel built with huge granite slabs. Within the fort ruins, one still finds remnants of mandapas (such as the Uyyala Mandapam), rock-cut water bodies, tanks, and cisterns, all of which showcase the engineering and architectural sophistication of its builders. The terrain itself added to the fort’s strength, making it almost impregnable to invading armies in the medieval period. Pangal Fort – A Visitor’s Journey Visiting Pangal Fort is like stepping into a forgotten chapter of Telangana’s history. Hidden away in the rocky hills of Wanapart...

Gunjala Waterfalls is a seasonal waterfall located near Gunjala village, Bheempur Mandal, Adilabad district, Telangana State, India.  It is on a rainfed Gunjala vagu which joins Penganga river. Certain seasonal waterfalls (July to September) that live for a short time during the monsoon have come alive. Thanks to the torrential rains. For instance, scenic Darloddi waterfall, a series of five waterfalls in Khandal village, another at Lohara in Adilabad Rural mandal, Gunjala waterfall in Tamsi mandal, Peddagundam in Echoda mandal of Adilabad district are attracting nature lovers  It is 21 kms from Adilabad via Ghotkuri to bheempur very first right from bheempur to Gunjala village & the waterfalls is just 3 kms from bheempur. Time to Visit : July to September How to reach Umram railway station is the nearest railway station to Gunjala Waterfalls. It is nearly 9.39 kilometers away from it.

Adilabad district is a district located in the northern region of Telangana, India. It is known as the gateway district to South and Central India. The district derives its name from Adilabad, its headquarters town which was named after the ruler of Bijapur, Ali Adil Shah. Historically, Adilabad was known as Edlabad during the rule of Qutub Shahis. It is located about 304 kilometres (189 mi) north of the state capital, Hyderabad, 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Nizamabad and 196 kilometres (122 mi) from Nagpur.  Originally this was not full fledged district but a sub-district named Sirpur-Tandur which was created in A.D. 1872 with Edlabad (Adilabad), Rajura and Sirpur as its constituent talukas . In 1905, an independent district with headquarters at Adilabad was formed.  Due to the district’s reorganization in October 2016, Adilabad was divided into four districts: Adilabad, KumramBheem Asifabad district, Mancherial district, and Nirmal district. Headquarters: Adilabad Nick N...