Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label Tourism

Farahabad View point

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:...

Akka Mahadevi Caves or Swayambhu Shiva Mandir

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...

Amrabad Tiger Reserve

Nestled in the lush Nallamala Hills of Telangana, the Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) spans 2,760 sq. km and stands as India’s second-largest tiger reserve. A part of the Western Ghats eco-zone, this wilderness is a haven of ancient forests, deep valleys, sacred caves, and rich wildlife. Once part of the old Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam Tiger Reserve, ATR now shelters diverse life forms — from royal Bengal tigers, leopards, and sloth bears to yellow-throated bulbuls and rare orchids. Its terrain is dotted with spectacular viewpoints, mystical caves, and serene waterfalls like Mallela Theertham and Saleshwaram Falls. With eco-tourism facilities at Mannanur, guided safari rides, and community-based jungle stays, visitors can immerse themselves in raw nature while experiencing the living spirit of the Nallamala forest traditions. An ideal blend of adventure, ecology, and heritage, Amrabad Tiger Reserve invites explorers, nature lovers, and spiritual seekers to discover the wild soul of Telangana....

Kadalivanam Caves

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 Jain Temple

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

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...

Sirpur-Chanda Gond Dynasty

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

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

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

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...

Nirmal Turkam and Venganna Cheruvu

Turkam or Turkan and Venganna Cheruvu is located near Dimmadurthi or Dimmadurthy and Naldhurthi or Naldurti tucked away amidst the dense forests in the Mamada Mandal, Nirmal District, Telanagana State, India. Turkam Cheruvu and Venganna Cheruvu in the Dimmadurthy Range, considered hidden gems in Nirmal district, are proposed to be developed into eco-tourism attractions. Turkam Cheruvu is tucked away amidst the dense forests in the district, while Venganna Cheruvu is described as a paradise for bird-watchers with a lot of perches for avifauna. These two are the largest lakes in the region and they are located in close proximity to Nirmal town so developing them as ecotourism spots will boost the income of the locals. Turkam Cheruvu is one of the biggest water bodies in the area spread across 55 hectares. It is a perennial water body as it gets water throughout the year from the Saraswathi Canal. Venganna Cheruvu is spread across 25 hectares and it is home to different species of birds. ...

Cheriyal Rural Tourism

Cheriyal (or Cherial) is a town and a municipality in Siddipet district in the state of Telangana in India  an hour’s drive from Hyderabad and about 85 kms from Warangal city is known for its unique scroll paintings and masks created by artists called Nakashis. This art form is unique to the state of Telangana.  The name that the art form is known by today, i.e., Cheriyal, is derived from the town it is currently practised in.The practice of the art form is much more limited than it was previously. Initially, these paintings were known as nakash or naqash, which translates to a drawing or a sketch. Art and tourism often go hand in hand, with art being a popular tourist attraction. The people involved in the creation of these traditional nakash or Cheriyal paintings, are a community known as the Nakashis. Other than this community, there is another important group of individuals associated with this tradition. It is important to note that the actual purpose of these scroll...