Jagdevpur Varadaraju Swamy Temple

Jagdevpur Varadaraju Swamy Temple is located in Vardarajpur, Jagdevpur Mandal, Siddipet District,

Telangana, India.

On the name of the god varadaraj swamy the village is designated. To the village premises hanuman temple is located.

Every year in the month of may a famous festive ''jatara'' in the name of god varadaraj swamy will be taken place.on day of vyshaka pouranami" celebration are carried in huge way.

According to sources temple was built in 1356a.d, four fathers of present chairaman family developed this historic place, they were carring varadaraja swamy idol from vishnu kanchi(kanchipurm,T.N) to their native raygadh. at that they were resting for night, in dreams lord vardaraja swamy told them built temple here only but he thought this place is not suitable hence vardaraja swamy is their homeidol, he wanted place it their own place(raygadh). next morning their journey started but axle of thier cart was broken it took whole day to repair ,once again lord appear in dreams , he informed to all villager and his follwers but all of them refused to built temple thier itself, they startd journey again sam scene was repeated hence he decided to built temple here itself,

He went nawab of medak for permssion of temple and land for it. he gave a permsion he will the land to temple how many acres that he can run with a burnig coal bowl on his head, succesfully he ranned nearly 1400acres.temple construction was carried for 10 years for every vyshaka pournami yatra is conducted similar to vishnu kanchi(garuda seva) in kanchi (T.N ), from past 6centuris thier heirs were looking after the tmeple needs. recently endowments dept took temple left it to god itself due lack of revenue,

we can see golden lizard and silver iguana's, well was closed recently , inscription of past glorious on walls of temple.presnt temple has 70acres only ,they were occupied by land lord's .

God vardarajswamy will be going throug the village by ratham to hanuman temple located in the premises of village.

Temple Timings :6:30 am to 7:00 pm

Source

http://manatemples.blogspot.com/2015/07/sri-varadaraja-swamy.html

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Deval Masjid

Deval Masjid located in Buswatarag Nagar, Bodhan, Nizamabad, as its name signifies  is a

a Jain temple built during the 9th and 10th century by the Rashtrakuta king Indra III.

It was later modified by the Kalyani Chalukya king Someswara. It was he, who named the temple as Indranarayana Swamy Temple.

During the invasion by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq in the Deccan, this temple was converted into a mosque.  This is a star-shaped building which has undergone no alteration at the hands of conquerors except removal of star chamber and setting up of a pulpit.

The roof has been embellished with domes which are a salient feature of Muslim architecture. Some inscriptions by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq can also be seen here.

Confluence of cultures

A new mosque is built adjacent to the old mosque, which is now used for prayers.

Though it was great to see the place, the first look was rather disappointing as it was heavily littered and not well kept.

Now that the new mosque has been built, this building has been abandoned and is used by people to sleep peacefully or finish some office work. It would be great if the tourism department takes measures to uplift the condition of the temple as it has good tourism potential.

https://telanganatoday.com/confluence-two-cultures by Saurabh Chatterjee

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Mayuri Nursery

Mayuri Nursery, located about 5 kilometers from National Highway 44 at Shankarayapalle, Jadcherla

and about 8 kilometers from the Mahbubnagar district headquarters, is fast gearing up to become one of the most sought after tourists spots in the district with world-class amenities like an amphitheatre, swimming pools and a yoga centre.

Mayuri Central Nursery, located between Mahbubnagar and Jadcherla highway, is an ideal location for developing the eco-tourism project in the district. As the region lies on the slopes of Bontagattu mountain range, the hilly slopes, valleys and flat mountain tops dotted with trees and a large spread of green forest cover all around provide the perfect venue for the tourists to enjoy the beauty of the region.

The entire eco-tourism region includes the entire mountain range and the deep forests spreading over 2,500 hectares from Appanapally to Mammadabad. At present as part of first phase of the project only about 200 hectares are earmarked for the development works. “We are developing the internal roads all along the hilly slopes and barricading the main forest areas with 12 feet high iron fencing so as to avoid any trespassing of wild animals in the park region.

Already we have built 4 kilometres of road. We are also planning special tracks for cycling and walkers which will extend from Jolly hills to TB hospital. In addition to this we are also planning to construct high raised wall all along the road side with green creeper cover on it. The main entrance “Entry Plaza” will be completed in the next two months and we are expecting to complete the first phase by end of this year,” said Mahender.

For developing the eco-tourism park, the officials have already designed a draft plan and accordingly taking up the works in a phased manner. “We have earmarked for developing a medicinal herbal plantation over 2 hectares of area. Our main focus will be on providing basic amenities to the visiting tourists like drinking water, shelters sheds for resting, benches for sitting along the walk paths. We are also constructing toilets and washrooms for the visitors,” added the FRO.

In addition to development of green parks, the Forest Department will also develop different kinds of specialised plantation zones such as Kartika Vanama, Rashi Vanam, Pancha Vati Vanam and Nakshatra Vanam. “We are trying our best to incorporate innovative ideas to make this region a unique spot that links humans and trees. For viewing the scenic beautify of the park we are constructing two pagodas “Valley View Point” and “Hill View Point” with railings all along. In the next few days we will complete the compound wall.

The State government has earmarked 200 hectares of land for the development of various facilities, such as play grounds, gardens, and play facilities for children, a yoga center and a medicinal plantation garden. “Apart from these facilities, we also propose to add an amphitheater (open air theatre), swimming pool, a volleyball court and a basket ball court.

The play facilities have already been installed and works on the entranceway are on the verge of completion. We expect the works to be completed by December” said Mahabubnagar MLA Srinivas Goud while taking stock of the development at Mayuri Nursery.

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/hans/2016-02-24/mayuri-nursery-set-to-turn-eco-tourism-hub/209416

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/2015-12-29/Jadcherla-to-turn-tourism-hub-196232

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Narayanpet Saree

The Narayanpet saree is made either of cotton or silk.

 One school of thought states that in 1630 AD during Shivaji Maharaj’s campaign in the Deccan, the brightly coloured saris of the ladies caught his eye and thus the Narayanpet saree got its Royal Maratha Patronage. Other versions of the tale state that the weavers, who were part of Shivaji’s camp during a campaign, were the ones who stayed back and developed the form as we see it today.

Much before the world was made aware of the concept of a global village, the Indian Subcontinent had embraced the idea.

The merger of cultures of different princely states and regions in the country has produced some fantastic weaves and styles that are heralded to this day for their sheer beauty and exclusivity. The Narayanpet saree is one such example.

These sarees have had the privilege of enjoying the royal patronage of the Marathas. Regarded as the garment of the Gods, Narayanpet sarees were used to drape the idols of deities and worn exclusively by aristocracy for the longest time. The only treatment better than a royal one, is a godly one. Narayanpet sarees are all that and more.

There is a distinct style attached to the Narayanpet sarees, the sarees have a checked surface design with embroidery and the border or pallu have intricate ethnic designs such as a temple.

The borders and pallu of the Narayanpet Silk saree are given a contrasted look with small zari designs.

With designers like Shravan Ramaswamy acting as guardian angels and showcasing the Narayanpet silk sarees, the weavers have been hugely benefited by the surge in demand.

At any handloom or silk exhibition, Narayanpet silk sarees are a definite part of the showcase around the globe.

The popularity of Narayanpet sarees is enhanced by the fact that amongst all the Silk garments, this is the one which is most easily affordable. In recent times, even, designer boutiques have started stocking and selling Narayanpet silk sarees.

Going by historical records, in 1630 AD, the Maratha king, Chatrapati Shivaji traveled to the Narayanpet region where he camped for a while. When he continued on his journey, a few weavers stayed behind.

These were the weavers who started producing the Silk sarees with a distinct style of design which came to be known as Narayanpet Silk sarees. No wonder then, courtesy the weavers who migrated from the Maratha region to Narayanpet, there is lot of Maharashtrian influence seen in Narayanpet Silk sarees.

Later on, under the rule of Lokapalli Sansathanam, the production of Narayanpet Silk and Cotton sarees increased dramatically.

For producing the Narayanpet sarees, vegetable dyes are used. This is a unique process where eight sarees are made at one go on a loom. Thus instead of the standard 7 yards of fabric being mounted on the loom, 56 yards of Silk are mounted on the loom at a single time.

After the degumming, dyeing and drying process, the actual weaving starts. In the case of Cotton sarees, it takes one day to complete a saree, whereas a Silk saree takes 4-5 days to be completed.
In 2012, Narayanpet sarees got its Geographical Indicator (GI) registration with the government of India.

It is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. If one has to deduce, the extremities of the weather could well have prompted the creation of the style of Narayanpet Silk sarees which is beautiful and rich to look at and is comfortable to wear round the year because of it’s light weight.

The early weavers who settled down in the Narayanpet region in the 17th century are the pioneers of this art. The skill has been passed down from generation to generation. The entire weaver community involved in this art is located only in Narayanpet.

https://www.utsavpedia.com/textiles/narayanpet-silk-cross-culture/

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Nirmal Toys

Nirmal Toys world-famous wooden toys are made in the historic town of Nirmal in Telangana state

derived its name from that of a 17th-century ruler, Nimma Naidu, who had a great interest in art and toy-making. Back then, he collected about 80 artists and started a toy-making industry that came to add cultural significance to the town.

The Nirmal toy cluster has 60 families registered with the state rural self-help group, who keep the craft alive, making toys that are sold through state emporia. The cluster earns revenues in the range of Rs 3- 4 lakh per month.

Considering that the cluster largely produces toys, which is a non-essential item, there is always the danger of artisans losing interest in this traditional craft and moving on to more lucrative occupations. However, the award of the Geographic Indication (GI) status to Nirmal toys in 2009 was a morale booster for them.

The GI status acts as a flagging device that helps producers differentiate the Nirmal toys from competing products in the market. It has brought recognition and fame to the town, spreading awareness about the uniqueness of its products. At the same time, it offers protection from fake products. The goodwill around the GI products often translates into better pricing.

The town of Nirmal has been a prominent production centre for many such items, especially war cannons and toys from a very long time. 

Toys are made for different uses like utility purpose, ornamental value etc., and some of the toys are made very artistically. One such glorious tradition is that of Nirmal toys. 

Toys are those wonderful small things, which have been an integral part of our lives right from childhood, entertaining us and giving us our first set of learning in life. 

A Glimpse of the Naqashi Art!

Nirmal craft is known for its age-old origin, dating back to the Kakatiya era. The recorded history states that it is 400-year-old rich tradition encompassing soft wood toys and attractive paintings, and furniture, occupying the pride of place in the larger context of Indian handicrafts. These toys are made of finely carved wood. 

According to local legend, theNaqash families of Rajasthan migratedto this region during 17th century and it is they who brought this art. 

The Naqash artisans produced these toys from the local variety of softwood initially, called poniki or white sander. 

The usage of the ducocolours, makes the Nirmal toys popular for its typical shine and these toys are also painted in enamel colours, which brings a unique look to them. 

Nirmal toys are also painted with an herbal extract, which imparts a golden sheen. These are also coated with exclusive and rich oil colors. The Mughal miniatures’ painting on the white wood poniki is considered very attractive and owned more by art collectors. 

The motifs which are used in Nirmal craft are derived from the floral designs and frescoes found in Ajanta and Ellora forms and the Mughal miniature art.

The foundries which have been established here supplied key ammunition to the Nizam army of erstwhile Hyderabad state while the Naqash craftsmen, have contributed their rich skill in the form of the exclusive wooden toys. These are coated by duco paintings, which is a highlight of Nirmal Art. The dynastic legacy of Hyderabad Nizam’s is considered one among the manyreasons why this art had flourished far and wide. The strategic location of Nirmal town, connecting North and Central parts of India with South India has also contributed for the variety as well as popularity of this art from many centuries.

The cottage industry here comprises of Nirmal toys, Nirmal paintings etc., which is a main source of livelihood for the artisans involved in this trade. In fact, Nirmal toys are the pride of Telangana region and the town is considered synonymous with special toys, paintings and furniture. 

The toys made in Nirmal constitute ideal gifts and souvenirs and hence they are widely popular. Nirmal toys are used for decorating living spaces, office spaces and art galleries. The tradition of toy making is also a matter of academic interest for other craftsmen, who visit the town from other parts of world.

http://golkondacrafts.telangana.gov.in/blog-nirmala-toys-7-11.html

http://www.supportbiz.com/articles/vertical-view/gi-status-opened-doors-opportunity-nirmal-toys.html

http://www.wionews.com/india-news/once-upon-a-toy-town-24296

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Nirmal Furniture

Nirmal Furniture is furniture made in Nirmal, Adilabad, Telangana, India. It received Geographical

Indication rights in 2009.  It is handmade wooden furniture.

Nirmal Painted Furniture, a Brand in Itself!

Every region in India, is known for its unique culture and traditions, which have also influenced the local art. Nirmal town in northern part of Telangana state shares its unique, legendary identity in the arena of arts and crafts. The skill of the artisans and craftsmen of Nirmal town is well known, right from the pre-independence days.

The origin of Nirmal art and craft is traced back to the Kakatiya era. Nirmal works were influenced by the Indian Schools of Art like Kangra, Ajanta and also the Mughal miniatures. It is even said that once the Nizam of Hyderabad was accorded a grand welcome when he visited Nirmal. The artisans decorated the venue and the seat of the Nizam in a very grand manner with an intricately designed banana bud which was believed to have been suspended over the Nizam’s seat. This was unfurled while there was a cascade of golden petals showered on him.

In the last few decades, Nirmal work has been evolving in order to cater to new demands from the customers. One such exclusive arena apart from Nirmal paintings and toys is the Nirmal painted furniture, which is popular all over for its durability and outstanding look.

Nirmal painted furniture represents fine quality furniture. It is a unique form of hand-made wooden furniture, painted beautifully before they are offered for customers.

Furniture was once considered the choice of only the privileged but over the years, it has also become a common choice for all strata in the society. Therefore, many varieties of furniture have been launched in the market, but there are only few varieties which have been carried forward as a legacy. One such furniture type is the Nirmal Painted Furniture. The artisans of this town combine artistry in painting with great skills in woodcraft and they produce a variety of household and also office furnishings that lends aesthetic appeal to the surroundings. These include decorative Rajasthani and French style soft-sets, rocking chair, partition screens, chowkis, pen holders, wooden platforms, Pooja mandapams, trollies etc.

The furniture items are highly appealing and represent a unique set of decorative items, clearly reflecting the artistic and creative spirit of the artisans and furniture makers of Nirmal town. The skilled workers are considered the pride of Telangana, with Nirmal painted furniture made by them becoming very popular all over. These furniture sets are ideal to grace the living and office spaces. The painted furniture received Geographical Indication rights in the year 2009.

http://golkondacrafts.telangana.gov.in/Nirmal-painting-furnitures.html

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Karimnagar Silver Filigree

Karimnagar Silver Filigree is a silver filigree made in Karimnagar, India. It is an ancient art of

Karimnagar.

Karimnagar Silver Filigree received Intellectual property rights protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2007.

Silver filigree, the ancient art of making silver artefacts and ornaments by using silver wire, an art which Karimnagar town is famous for, cries for attention, protection and promotion of the age-old art and tradition.

Silver filigree was popular during the Nizam era when the rulers encouraged the silversmiths to make the exquisite silver plates, ‘pandhan’ and other artefacts as show-pieces. These artefacts made by the silversmiths of Karimnagar were made available at Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.

Since 19th Century AD, the very talented craftsmen of Karimnagar fashioned rich intricate trellis/Jali made of twisted silver wire.

The locals say that this unique craft was adopted some 200 years ago by the Elgandal town near the Karimnagar district in Telangana and it later moved to the Karimnagar town in the first decade of the 20th Century. 

After digging deep about how this craft emerged, it has been understood that this craft was introduced by a widely travelled professional goldsmith, Kadarla Ramayya, who was a native of Yalagandala, who learned and absorbed this filigree jewel technique and craft. In Telugu parlance, filigree is called as, vendi teega pani (work done with silver wire).

In order to protect the ancient art of silver filigree — making artefacts and ornaments by using silver wire — women belonging to the goldsmith community have taken up the art in Karimnagar town.

A total of 20 women underwent training in the making of silver artefacts by using the technology of silver filigree from February to June this year. After four months of rigorous training, including theory of drawing designs, use of wires and small pieces of silver to make various artefacts, the women have now turned experts in making silver filigree items.

They have started making new designs of silver artefacts which were made affordable to the common man. “Earlier, silver filigree artefacts weighing 500 grams to 5 kilograms cost lakhs and business was restricted to elite market. Now, with the involvement of women, the products are available from ₹1,000,” said Sri Ramoju Nagaraju, president of Sri Laxmi Narasimha silver filigree society.

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/heritage-spots/karimnagar/silver-filigree.html

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/women-master-the-art-of-silver-filigree/article19197738.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/silver-filigree-art-cries-for-promotion/article7284734.ece

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Gadwal Saree

Gadwal Saree is a handcrafted woven sari style in Gadwal of Jogulamba Gadwal district in the Telangana State, India. 

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Gadwal sarees are made from cotton and silk which is usually tussar or mulberry. “The dyeing is usually done at Chirala where the yarn is dipped in boiled coloured water at an extremely high temperature. Higher temperature means the colour will last a long time.

It was registered as one of the geographical indication from Telangana by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Though Gadwal is the most famous of all, there is an entire of cluster of smaller villages also engaged in weaving these sarees. Over 800 looms are used every day at Rajoli village to create these seven yard beauties. All sarees produced here are sold to the master weavers of Gadwal, which is probably why Rajoli is overshadowed. Other notable villages where they are made are Gattu, Yemmiganur, Aiza and Nagaladinne.

It takes painstaking effort over five days to make one beautiful Gadwal saree on the loom using the interlocking weft technique. Even then, the weavers’ job is not complete; he has to meticulously attach the silk border using ash to finish the saree. They are most notable for the Zari on the saris. The sari consists of cotton body with silk palluwhich is also given a new name as Sico saris. The weave is so light that the saree can be packed in a matchbox

The sarees made on machines using low-quality silk take less time and are sold in the market as original Gadwal sarees. The true hallmark of a Gadwal saree is the merging of cotton and silk threads in the border, which differentiates it from the sarees made on powerlooms.

With any handloom fabric, making it relevant to the increasingly fashion conscious crowd is a challenge. Of late, Gadwal sarees, have received a huge impulse thanks to the efforts of fashion designers like Sanjay Garg and Vinay Narkar who have contemporised it with their labels Raw Mango and Reshamwala. A quick browse through their websites reveals curated Gadwal sarees unlike the generic stacks one has to sort through to find a standout piece.

Though Gadwal sarees got a boost under the patronage of the Nizams and got accentuated with a geographical indication (GI) certificate in 2010, the plight of these weavers is similar to those in other parts of the country as they struggle to make a better life for themselves and their children with the paltry sum they make a month.

http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/the-last-drape/article4817410.ece

https://telanganatoday.com/understated-elegance-gadwal-sarees

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Pochampally Saree

Pochampally saree or Pochampalli Ikat originates from the Bhoodan Pochampally region in Yadadri

Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana.

These popular sarees are renowned by their typical geometric patterns and the special Ikat style of dyeing.

The uniqueness of Pochampally Ikat is its ability to create extremely complicated designs using bright dyes.

The fabrics used are natural – cotton, silk and sico (a combination of silk and cotton). The painstaking weave and meticulous eye for detail makes the Pochampally weavers stand apart and are revered throughout the textile industry.

Chintakindi Mallesham, a Class 6 school dropout from Telangana, has innovated the Laxmi Asu Machine easing the taxing manual process of weaving Pochampally saris and helping weavers increase their production without putting their health at risk.

Pochampally Ikat uniqueness lies in the transfer of intricate design and colouring onto warp and weft threads first and then weave them together globally known as double ikat textiles. The fabric is cotton, silk and sico – a mix of silk and cotton. Increasingly, the colours themselves are from natural sources and their blends.

Pochampally, a cluster of 80 villages, has traditional looms, whose pattern and designs are centuries-old. Today this Silk City, which is more of a cottage industry, is home to more than 10,000 weaving families in 100 villages. The fabric is marketed through the cooperative society, many other linked organizations, the master weavers and the business houses in Pochampally. Pochampally does more than Rs.10,00,000,00 annual business in terms of yarn sales, purchase of handloom products and sales. The government in 2010 divided the belt into two clusters Pochampally 1 and Pochampally 2, and is proving common weaving centres. Because of its unique design, efforts are on to revive the dying art.

Pochampally saree received Intellectual Property Rights Protection or Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2005.

Pochampally Ikat is the registered property of Pochampally Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd and the Pochampally Handloom Tie and Dye Silk Sarees Manufacturers Association.

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

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