Jannaram Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary

Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary in the Jannaram forests of Mancherial district in Telangana has been declared as the 42nd tiger reserve in the country in 2012.

According to the department sources, the Kawal wildlife sanctuary has about 20 tigers as per an unofficial count. "By notifying it as a tiger reserve, we expect an increase in the number of tigers," a forest department official said.

Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the important wildlife sanctuaries in Telangana. The Kawal sanctuary houses various animals and several varieties of flora and fauna are seen here. If you want to get a glimpse of wild animals in their natural habitat, then, the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is a must see place. 

This Wildlife Sanctuary gives you a picturesque view of retreat. Every corner of this sanctuary is filled with adventure and thrill. Thousands of tourists visit this secluded animal kingdom to experience the thrills amidst wild beasts of the region. This sanctuary is located in the Mancherial district which is 50 kilometers from Mancherial and 250 kilometers from Hyderabad. The wildlife sanctuary is a dry and dense forest with teak, bamboo and many other varieties of trees. During summer, the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary witnesses hot and dry climate. But the monsoon season that commences from June and continues till September adds life to the forest and makes it bliss. Winter is the perfect season to visit the sanctuary. 

The sanctuary houses several species animals including Cheetal, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Sloth Bear, Indian Bison, Panther and Tiger. Tourists can also find reptiles like Crocodile, Python, Monitor Lizard, Star Tortoise and Cobra, in this wildlife sanctuary. This tourist spot also provides jeep safaris, and bird watching trips to spot several rare animals in their habitat.
“The tiger has finally arrived at Kawal,” stated a jubilant Jannaram Divisional Forest Officer, G. Ravinder, after he saw pug marks of the big cat near Dongapalli and Kawal villages within a span of a week earlier this month. “It will be safe here,” he observed, alluding to the safety of a highly improved habitat that Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) has become since its inception in 2012.

Kawal was declared a tiger reserve without the presence of even a single wild cat only because it had the potential of regaining its past glory. It’s spread in an area of 893 sq km of dense tropical dry deciduous forest to which about 1,120 sq km of buffer area was added subsequently.

It was assumed, which now seems to have been done rightly, that given proper conservation of the place there is a huge possibility of tigers migrating from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur adjoining Sirpur (T) forest in Adilabad district to their once glorious habitat of Kawal. “This tiger would have come from the TATR and travelled across Malini, Asifabad, Tiryani, Sirpur (U) before coming down the hilly range into KTR,” says KTR research associate Jogu Yellam.

As the tiger is an animal which is continuously on the move, it needs a completely safe habitat to become native, says Imran Siddqui of the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HyTICOS), an NGO working towards tiger conservation in KTR. The government needs to look hard into this aspect as making the habitat safer involves voluntary relocation of villages to cut down human interference inside the forests.

The danger posed by anthropogenic disturbance to the survival of the big cat has been stressed upon in many scientific studies conducted at different Tiger Reserves across the country.

For example, the study ‘Glucocorticoid stress responses of reintroduced tigers in relation to anthropogenic disturbance in Sariska Tiger Reserve in India’ by Subhadeep Bhattarjee and other published in the Public Library of Science in June this year and ‘Studies to determine presence or absence of Indian tiger in Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary’ by P. Anuradha Reddy and others of CCMB, Hyderabad, published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research in November 2010, make a vivid mention of the phenomenon.

The villagers of Dongapalli, Alinagar, Malial, Maisampet and Rampur located in the core area of KTR want to be relocated, yet the government is dithering the issue. The villagers are ready to accept the generous relocation package on offer.

Meanwhile, the troubling part is the decrease in the population of prey animals. Though the latest animal census figures have not been released yet, the population of ungulates and wild pigs decreased in 2014 to 4,300 and 2,500 from 6,000 each in 2013.









http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/the-tiger-finally-reaches-kawal-sanctuary/article7661220.ece




http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kawal-wildlife-sanctuary-declared-as-tiger-reserve/1/184064.html




http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tigers-make-a-return-to-Kawal/articleshow/49876344.cms

Read More

Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary

Pranahita (Blackbuck) Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1980, is one of the oldest protected areas of Telangana and is an ideal 'blackbuck habitat' with scrub jungle and mixed deciduous vegetation and scattered grasslands.

The Envirnoment Ministry has declared an area ranging from 0.1 kilometer to 5 kilometer from the boundary of Pranahita (blackbuck) Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana as ESZs.

Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Chinnur-Mancherial forest division and covered area of 136 sqkm by Pranihita River. It is in Chinnur, Mancherial distrcit, Telangana. It is about 300 km from city of Hyderabad and 35 km away from Mancherial town

This sanctuary lies exactly between the latitudes 18 °41’ N - 19° 9’ N and longitudes 79°9’E - 79°57’E.

The Pranahita wildlife sanctuary covers an area of about 136sq.kms and is full of lush and dark teak forests. The river Pranahita carves its way in to this amazing sanctuary making it even more beautiful.

Pranahitha River flows adjoining the eastern boundary of sanctuary while Godavari River runs towards the southern boundary of this sanctuary, which is also renowned for the presence of prehistoric rock formations. The major wildlife found here includes Star Tortoise, Panther, Sloth Bear, Crocodile, Python, Indian Bison and Tiger. This Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest and well protected wildlife areas of Telangana and was established in 1980, in Adilabad district in the northern part of the state.

Flora and FaunaThere are huge number of animals are found in Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary such as nilgai, sloth bear, jackal, black buck, panther, tiger, lion and cheetal. You can also birds like Teals, Herons, Brahminy Ducks, Storks and many birds.

It is famous for Blackbuck and over 20 species of reptiles, over 50 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals.

Wildlife lovers can spend a great time here watching the Indian Porcupine and other species of wild animals such as Hyena, Wild Dogs, Palm Civet, Indian Otter, Rhesus, Langur, Forest Cat, Sloth Boar, Leopard, Tiger, Nilgai and many more. The scrub jungle and the grasslands here is an ideal habitat for Blackbuck.

A Phytosociology analysis was carried out during 2006 and 2009 to study the vegetation status of this sanctuary. They also analyzed the recruitment and regeneration of Pranahitha vegetation. Recent years, the sanctuary is losing its glory. The construction and barrage on the Pranahitha River may deter tigers that cross over from Tadoba sanctuary of Maharashtra. The construction of canals may divide the habitat making the situation more difficult for various animals to freely move about and also lead to cultivation of these shrub lands both legally and illegally. The ultimate result is the shrinking of this beautiful forest land in those areas falling under Chennu, Kotapalli, Vemanpalli and Jaipur mandals where the effect of environmental degradation has devastated the widespread teak forests. Additionally, the construction work carried out on Nizamabad – Jagdalpur NH 16 has resulted in significant erosion of soil and resulted in increased traffic on the roads. The net result is the increased disturbance to animal life.


Best time to visit :October to June

Accommodation : At the forest rest house at Mancherial and Chinnur.

Access
By Air: The nearest airport is Hyderabad; 300 kms from Pranahita.
By Road: It is about 70 Km. from Mancherial which is well connected to most of the cities of India.

Temperature
The region is generally hot and dry and the min/max temperature varies from 15 to 40 C











http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/blog/pranahita-wildlife-sanctuary.html


http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/wildlife/adilabad/pranahita-wildlife-sanctuary.html

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/centre-notifies-two-wildlife-sanctuaries-as-eco-sensitive-zone-115010600964_1.html

Read More

Kaleshwaram

Kaleshwaram is a village in Mahadevpur Mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana. Kaleshwaram is at the juncture of the rivers Godavari and its Pranahita tributary.

Bus service is available from Hyderabad, Warangal, Parkal, Karimnagar, Manthani, Godavarikhani and Peddapalli.

Access to Laksha Bilwapatri Pooja is by request to Dewasthanam officials at least one month in advance

It is the site of a temple of the Hindu god Lord Shiva. The temple is significant because of the two Shiva Lingas that are found on a single pedestal. These Linga are named Lord Shiva and Lord Yama. Collectively, they known as Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy. Kaleshwaram is one of three Shiva temples mentioned in Trilinga Desham, or "Land of Three Lingas."

The holy place draws tourists during the Karthika Month of the Indian Calendar, 16 November – 15 December. Holy baths are held during 6-17 of December. People who bathe here first visit Lord Ganesha, then pray to Lord Yama and then to Lord Shiva. 

Kaleshwaram is the site of the famous Shiva temple called "Kaleswara muktheswara swamy", which is on the border of the Indian states of Telangana and Maharashtra.

The Mukteshwara Swamy Temple is uniquely significant because of the two Shiva Lingas that are found on a single pedestal. They are named Lord Shiva and Lord Yama, collectively known as Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy.

Kaleswaram is one of the locations of the three Shiva temples mentioned in Trilinga Desham (Land of Three Lingams) and is another name for the Telugu-speaking region. (The other two locations mentioned are Draksharamam and Srishailam.)

Kaleswaram is also called Dakshina Triveni Sangamam, as two rivers meet here along with a third, the illusionary flow of Antarvaahini. It is said that a long time ago one of the Vaishyas had performed an abhisheka to Kaleswara

Mukteswara with hundreds of milk pots, and the milk evolved at the sangamam of Godavari and Pranahita, hence the name Dakshina Gangotri (the other being Allahabad, or Prayaga).

A large number of tourists arrive during the Karthika Month of the Indian Calendar (16 November – 15 December) and Maha Shiva Ratri.

The temple is open from 4:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 3:30-9:00 p.m.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaleshwaram

Read More

Dharmapuri

Dharmapuri is situated at a distance of about 48kms. from Jagityal town and 51 Kms. from Peddapalle railway station

Dharmapuri attained religious importance owing to the existence of the shrine dedicated to Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Siva With Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka and Sapitha Mathrukas carved on a single slab of stone and Mahishasuramardhani, the sixty pillared temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Akkapalle Rajanna. 

An over five hundred year old Sri Sita Rama Swami temple are the other temples of importance that heighten the sanctity of this The
Ramalingeswara Temple which is of about 1000 years old, is in the proximity of the Narsimha Swamy Temple. It is said among local inhabitants that the Shiv Lingam installed in this temple was installed by Lord Rama during his exile and on way to Lanka in search of Sitha Maatha.

Dharmapuri was called so after King Dharamavarma, (Who was a staunch evotee of Lord Narasimha), it was known earlier as Dhamaraya, Dharmapuram, Dharmmanpuram, Dhammanvuru, Dharmavura and Dharmapuram80. 

It is famous for temples and artists, located on the banks of holy river Godavari. It is called Dhakshin Kashi.

The name of this place as Dharmapuri and Dharmapuram in the two Sthalapuranas both titled “Dharmapuri Kshetra Mahatyam”, dated 928 A.D82 and 1767 A.D.83 Historically we find the name of this place in an inscription of Arikesari-II (930-955 A.D) of Chalukyas of Vemulavada, at Kurikyala of Gangadhara Mandal. This place was known as Dhammanvura, Dhammampuram. 

Further, we see the name of this place as Dharmapuri and Dharmapura in an inscription of Vikramaditya IV (1076-1126 A.D) of Chalukyas of kalyani on the stone in the Rameswara temple at Dharmapuri. It records the gifts to the Rameswara. 

Malki Singana mentioned is this place as “Dharmapuram” in his Uttara Khanda of Padma Purana (1420 A.D). 

The great Telugu poet Bammera Potana (1400-1470 A.D) mentioned
this place as Dharmapuri in his Narayana Satakam. 

 Again, this place is also mentioned by Korai Goparaju (1430-1490 AD) in his Simhasanadwatrinshika. 

This place as “Dharmapuri” was mentioned in “Kalapurnodayam” by renewed Telugu poet Pingali Surana(1560 AD).

In 19th Century Sheshappa (1800 AD) wrote a Satakam on Narasimha of Dharmapuri and Narasimhadasu wrote “Rohilala pata” in 1858.

In which the sorrows of the victims of Rohillas at Dharmapuri are described. In the modern period this place was mentioned in “Dharmanagada Charitra” which is also known as “Pamupata” by Puri Narayana Raju, wherein the importance of river Godavari at Dharmapuri is given and mentioning Dharmapuri, a sacred place.

Dharmapuri boasts of the only temple for Yama in the country

Several hundreds .of devotees from various parts of the State and also from the neighbouring States have arrived in large numbers at Sri Laxminarasimha Swamy Devasthanam in Dharmapuri of Jagtial district on Tuesday to worship Lord Yama Dharmaraja (God of Death).

This is the only temple shrine in entire country where Lord Yama (God of Death) is worshipped.

The devotees who visit the Dharmapuri temple shrine first offer prayers to the Lord Yama at his temple before offering prayers to other deities. The devotees pour oil in the “Yamaganda deepam” to get rid of their sorrows and sufferings.

On “Yama Dwetheeya” which falls on the second day after the Deepavali festival, a visit to the Lord Yama temple attains lot of importance among devotees. It is believed that people who offer prayers at the Lord Yama temple on Yama Dwetheeya would not go to ‘hell’ after their death.

Temple priest Bojja Ramesh Sharma told “The Hindu” that the annual “Yama Dwitheeya” which is celebrated on second day after the Deepavali festival, marking the visit of Lord Yama to his sister Yamuna Devi’s house for lunch, attains more importance to appease the God of Death. On this occasion, the devotees perform the special pujas such as “Ayoosha Sooktham homam” for longevity and good health and special abhishekhams, he maintained.

It is also believed that Yama promises his sister that people who offer prayers on this day (Yama Dwetheeya) would not go to hell and they would get rid of all sorrows and sufferings. Similarly, it is believed that people having ‘Bhagini-hastha’ (food served by one’s sister) on this day would enjoy longevity and cleansed of their sins, the priest said.

http://tourismintg.com/Karimnagar_Dharmapuri.html

http://www.yatrastotemples.com/sri-dharmapuri-lakshmi-narasimha-swamy-temple/

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/devotees-worship-lord-yama-here/article9293778.ece

Read More

Kadam Dam

Opened : 1958

This project also called as Kaddam Narayana Reddy Project.

The dam’s main purpose is to irrigate close to 25000 hectares in Nirmal district. Also known as the Godavari North Canal project, the structure was built between 1949 and 1965. 

At a distance of 2 km from Kaddam & Peddur Bus Stand, 51 km from
Nirmal, 110 km from Adilabad and 267 km from Hyderabad, Kadam Dam is located at Kaddam Peddur in Nirmal District of Telangana.

The Project has been integrated with Sriram Sagar Project. The reservoir being supplemented through Sriram Sagar Projectby Saraswathi Canal to stabilize the localized catchment area.

Rivers are the lifelines of human civilization and so are the dams built across them for irrigation and hydel power that serves as places of interest too. One such notable attraction in Adilabad distracts is Kadam dam. It is located across Kadam River, a tributary of Godavari River which enters Telangana from Maharashtra. The dam is located at the confluence of Kadam River into Godavari.

The dam’s location in the midst of scenic hillocks and greenery makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Kadam Dam is also accessible easily to tourists due to its proximity to the Secunderabad-Manmad railway line. According to history, the dam is named after a rushi by the name Kandava who had performed great yagnas here, while it was officially renamed by the government as Kadam Narayana Reddy Project (KNRP) as a tribute to a popular leader of this region. The project serves many mandals through both left and right canals. The left canal serves villages like Pedda bellal, Chinna bellal, Chityal, Kondukur, Kannapur, Moriigudem, Patha kondukur, Uppari gudem, Chinna camp, Perka palli, and other villages of Kadem mandal. The right canal serves Jannaram, Dandepally, Tallapallli, Myadarpet, and Luxettipet among others.

Currently the dam has a capacity to irrigate 68000 hectares of ayacut. The project has an adjacent beautiful park where tourists can have a real fun moment. The gushing waters from the flood gates during monsoon season is an awe-inspiring moment for tourists. The dam is located 40 Km from Nirmal, which is accessible by road from Hyderabad and Adilabad. Adilabad is the nearest railway station.

Kadam dam is located at a distance of nearly 70 km from Adilabad town and is accessible by road via Peddur village.

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/nature-discovery/adilabad/kadam-dam.html

http://www.trawell.in/telangana/adilabad/kadam-dam

Read More

Jainath Sri Narayana Swamy Temple

Sri Narayan Swamy Temple also known as Jainath Temple is an ancient temple built by Pallava chiefs, located in Jainath, a small rural hamlet and Mandal in Adilabad district, Telangana State, India. 

At a distance of 0.5 km from Jainath Bus Stand, 22 km from Adilabad Railway Station and 327 km from Hyderabad, Sri Narayana Swamy Temple is situated at Jainath in Adilabad District of Telangana. 

This temple is also popular for its Jain style architecture, thus, the village is called Jainath. The pillars inside the temple are extensive carved with beautiful sculptures. The outer walls of the temple and the vimana over the sanctum exhibit wonderful piece of art work.

Jainath Temple is one of the ancient pilgrimage centers in Adilabad and also an important architectural monument of Pallava dynasty (4th to 9th century CE) in Telugu region. This is a small structure built on a platform which is 2 feet high. The temple is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayana. The idol of the deity in the sanctum sanctorum is 6 feet tall in standing position and is made of black stone.

The Laxmi Narayana Swamy Bramhotsavam celebrated in (October/November) attracts a large number of devotees. A unique feature of the temple is that the rays of the sun would touch the feet of Lord Lakshmi Narayana Swamy on full moon day that follows after Dussehra. 

The temple has several stone inscriptions depicting the history of the temple along with slokas inscribed on it. Pallavas are famous for their rock-cut and structural temples (Mahabalipuram and Kanchi temples).
The temple has a prakrit stone inscription depicting the 20 slokas which establishes that it was constructed by the Pallava chief and were believed to have accorded royal patronage for this village. 

Initially, the Pallavas were followers of Jainism.

Aditya I defeated Aparjitavarman. After that he took control of the Kanchi.

Stone Inscription in Devanagari Script – It starts with SURYA NARAYANAAYA NAMAHA and ends with “MAHA VEERA NAAMA ADITYA PRATAPAVAN PALLAVIJAYAADITYA”.It’s all about Surya Naama Stuthi shlokas that’s why this temple is called as Surya Narayana Temple too.

1104 AD - 1108 AD : Jagaddeva 

It records the military acheivements of King Jagaddeva son of Udayaditya of Paramara family. It also records Foundation of an Agrahara and erection of a temple of Nimvaditya by Padmavathi wife of Lolarka.

Architecture wise the temple boasts of features resembling the Jain style “Hemadpanthi” and is a small temple which is located on a platform which is two feet high. The idol of in the sanctum sanctorum is six-feet tall and is made entirely of black stone. The compartments of the temple namely Mukhamandapa, Antharala and Garbhagriha connected internally and externally. They are planned on one single axis, which runs east west. The walls of the temple were constructed with large blocks of dressed stones.

Every year from October-November Laxmi Narayana Swami Bhramotsavalu is held attracting a large number of devotees.

Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM.

http://www.trawell.in/telangana/adilabad/sri-narayana-swamy-temple-jainath

Read More

Sabitham Waterfalls

Sabitham Waterfalls is located near Sabitham village, Peddapalli Mandal, Peddapalli District, Telangana, India.

Located in a thick forest and surrounded by hillocks, the waterfall in the Sabhitam village in Peddapalli mandal is drawing huge crowds this monsoon season, but crying for attention from the district authorities.

This small waterfall in this tiny village located about 45 km from the district headquarters on the Peddapalli-Manthani road attracts lot of visitors from July to November when the rains lash the region. The overflowing water from the Gattusingaram hillocks turns into waterfall at the Gauri Gundala, as the locals call it.

The water plummets from a height of nearly 100 feet on the rocks, attracting visitors in the rainy season. 

With people from far and wide visiting the spot in large numbers, local traders selling food items are doing roaring business. The visitors are of the opinion that the waterfall should be linked with the adjoining historic Ramagiri hillocks so that its tourism potential is increased.

Village sarpanch Chandashankar said that during holidays more than 4,000 tourists are visiting the spot. On regular days, around 400 to 500 visitors are visiting the spot. He said the road from the village to waterfall was very slushy due to rains and urged the authorities to blacktop it for the benefit of tourists.

Directions from Peddapalli

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/back-to-life-and-charming-visitors/article8904436.ece

Read More