Skip to main content

Posts

Kondapur

Kondapur: Megasthenes’ Walled City & Satavahana Capital of Mahisamandala Pre‑Satavahana Fortified Urban Centre | Buddhist Stupas & Chaityas | Roman Gold Coin of Augustus | Ceramic Industry | Kondapur Museum 200 BCE – 200 CE | Capital of Mahisamandala | One of 30 walled cities (Megasthenes) | 100‑acre mound | Roman trade | Coin moulds Kondapur is a village in Sangareddy district, Telangana (formerly Medak district), about 70 km from Hyderabad . It is one of the most important early historic sites in the Deccan, identified as a walled city mentioned by the Greek ambassador Megasthenes (c. 300 BCE) among the “30 walled cities of the Andhras”. The site was the capital of Mahisamandala and a major urban centre of the Satavahana period (c. 200 BCE – 200 CE) . Excavations have revealed a 25‑ft high mound spread over 100 acres containing the remains of a Buddhist monastic complex (stupas, chaityas, viharas), a massive...

Keesaragutta

Keesaragutta: Vishnukundin Capital Ramalingeswara Swayambhu | 101 Hanuman Lingams | 12 Jain Tirthankara Idols | Medchal‑Malkajgiri HQ 300‑ft hill | 35 km from Hyderabad | 5th c. “Thalachuvanru” | Vishnukundin fort (4th–7th c.) | Integrated Collectorate Complex Keesaragutta (Keesara Gutta / Kesarigiri) is a fortified hill of immense historical and religious significance in Keesara village, Medchal‑Malkajgiri district, Telangana , approximately 35 km from Hyderabad . It served as the capital of the Vishnukundin dynasty (4th–7th century CE) – some historians believe early kings like Indravarma or Madhavavarma‑I may have ruled from here or nearby Indrapura. The site has been a continuous centre of worship reflecting a unique confluence of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism . The hill is famous for the Ramalingeswara Swayambhu Lingam installed by Lord Rama (Ramayana legend) and the 101 lingams scattered by Hanuman . Archaeolog...

Nelakondapalli

Nelakondapalli: Ancient Buddhist Stupa & Birthplace of Bhakta Ramadasu Satavahana‑Ikshvaku Mahastupa | 100‑acre Mud Fort | Bronze Buddha | 17th‑c. Saint‑Poet’s Memorial 100‑acre fortified site | Mahastupa (25‑30 m) | 3rd–4th c. CE | Bronze Buddha | Bhakta Ramadasu festival (28 Apr–2 May) Nelakondapalli (also Nelakondapalle) is a historic town in Khammam district, Telangana, about 21 km from Khammam city. It is renowned for its ancient Buddhist monastic complex dating from the Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods (2nd–4th centuries CE) . Excavations have revealed a massive Mahastupa (great stupa), foundations of viharas (monastic cells), chaitya halls , cisterns, wells, terracotta idols, a bronze idol of Lord Buddha (30 cm), and a miniature limestone stupa . The entire site is enclosed by a mud fortification wall covering 100 acres , indicating its importance as a fortified Buddhist pilgrimage and trade centre. Nelakonda...

Alampur

Alampur (Hatampura): Sacred Confluence of Kanne‑300 Jogulamba Shakti Peetha | Navabrahma Temples | Western Gateway to Srisailam 5th Shakti Peetha | 9 Navabrahma Temples (7th–8th c.) | Tungabhadra‑Krishna Sangam | Inscriptions from Satavahanas to Kakatiyas Alampur (ancient Hatampura, Halampura) is a historic temple town in Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, located on the left bank of the Tungabhadra River at its confluence with the Krishna. Known as Dakshina Kashi (Southern Kashi) and the Western Gateway to Srisailam , Alampur was the spiritual and administrative anchor of the Kanne-300 division under the Kollipake-7000 realm. The town houses the Jogulamba Temple , one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas (the upper jaw of Sati fell here), and the Navabrahma temples – nine early Chalukyan Nagara‑style shrines dedicated to Shiva, built between the 7th and 9th centuries CE. Alampur’s strategic location on the Tungabhadra made i...