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.

Proposal to install bird-watching towers, eco-cottages, night camping and stargazing, boating and kayaking in the lake, floating houses and stone signage along the nature trail without causing much disturbance to the ecosystem. 

Plans to initiate a Jungle Safari along the 10-km stretch by connecting both lakes. The proposal is yet to be approved by the head office.

These activities will provide employment to the locals as they can set up food stalls, work as guides in the safari, manage boats, cottages and other activities.

Unlike lakes, which form by natural processes, reservoirs are created by humans to provide water and hydroelectricity for our own needs.

A pond is a body of water less than 0.5 acres ( 2023.428 square metres) in an area or less than 20 feet (6 meters) in depth. A lake is defined as a body of water bigger than 1 acre (4,000 m²), although size is not a reliable indicator of its water quantity. 1 hectare is 2.471 acres.

August 30, 2022: Nirmal district's 'hidden gems' to become eco-tourism spots in Telangana

Turkan Cheruvu Location

Latitude 19.05143° or 19° 3' 5" north
Longitude 78.56575° or 78° 33' 57" east

From Nirmal take NH 61

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2022/Aug/30/nirmal-districts-hidden-gems-to-become-eco-tourism-spots-in-telangana-2493249.html

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Khajaguda Hills

Khajaguda Hills located in Khajaguda also known as Khojaguda is a Village in Serlingampally Mandal, Rangareddy district, Telangana State, India. It is part of the old city of Hyderabad. The site is a popular spot for outdoor activities, such as hiking and bouldering.

Khajaguda hills is one of the most popular weekend spots near Hyderabad. It is known for its magnificent viewpoint of Golconda and Durgam Cheruvu, peacocks, and naturally formed rocks and boulders that facilitate thrilling activities like rappelling.

The hilltop offers a breathtaking view of the city below with its lush green surroundings. It is a perfect place to spend some quality time with your friends or family away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The area also has several other attractions such as temples and caves that make it an ideal spot for nature lovers. With its pristine beauty and adventure activities, Khajaguda hills has become one of the most sought-after weekend spots in Hyderabad.

Hidden away from all the hustle and bustle of city life, these majestic hills offer breathtaking views and a chance to explore a fascinating part of history. Get up close and personal with nature while you learn about its ancient origins!

One of the finest prehistoric heritage sites, the Khajaguda Rock Formation is spread across 180 acres in Nanakramguda in Hyderabad, Telangana

The Fakhruddin Gutta granite rock formations, popularly known as the Khajaguda Hills, are a geological marvel that are estimated to be around 2.5 billion years old! It is a part of the Deccan Plateau and is also one of the oldest rock formations in India.

Telangana's Khajaguda Rock Formation is as old as the Earth's crust!

Around 4.4 billion years ago, the formation of Earth’s crust took place and soon after that, the formation of what we know today as the Khajaguda Rock Formation started. One of the oldest forms of rocks, these are formed of gneissic granite, one of the hardest forms of rocks on earth.

Usually, newer rocks form over these tough base rocks over a period of time. But, in Khajaguda, this didn’t happen and the billion years old rocks stand exposed till date, albeit in a poor condition.

As per the geologists researching the area, there are boulders, castle koppies, nubbins, inselberg, peneplains, kluftkarren, corestones, pans, fracture valley, runnels, balancing rocks, pseudobedding, pits, tafoni, plinths, rock doughnuts, caves, splits and wedges, and chaos – all these are different kinds of rock formations. What a field day it would be to get a chance to explore the site with researchers!. While we can’t say much about exploring the area with geologists, what you can certainly do is hike the area and take in the moment as you stand in the presence of something that is as old as our planet!

Khajaguda Lake, also known as Bhagirathamma Cheruvu was built during the reign of 6th Nizam Nawab Mahboob Ali Khan in 1897 and is spread over an impressive 618-acre. Surrounded by lush greenery and open skies, it provides a serene setting for visitors to sit back, relax and take in the natural beauty. Not only that, it also supplied water to 900 acres of Ayakattu in Kamareddy, Sarampally and Narsampally areas!

The tomb of Saint Hazrat Baba Fakhruddin Aulia — spiritual mentor of Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (founder of the Bahmani Kingdom) who was buried here in 1353 AD

800-year-old Annatha Padmanabha Swamy Temple and a cave where the revered saint, Meher Baba had meditated are situated on Khajaguda Hills.

The caves in the area are another interesting thing to explore. Remember how we said earlier that these rocks are the hardest forms of granite? Cave formation would be the last thing to expect of these hard rocks. But they are there, much to the surprise of geologists. Something rare, is what they say about these Khajaguda caves.

The forest patch at Khajaguda is home to several species of plants, that just like the rock formations, are difficult to find near Hyderabad. The Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, popularly known as the parijata or the night-flowering jasmine, is found in abundance at Khajaguda (there are three national parks around Hyderabad and the Parijata cannot be found in any of these three parks).

The other important plant species at Khajaguda is the Helicteres isora, also known as the Indian Screw Tree. These trees have not been recorded by the Botanical Survey of India in any areas around Hyderabad. Khajaguda is the only place where these can be found.

Best Time to visit

Sunrise and Sunset. Sunrise as you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the sun rising above the hills with the rays piercing through the morning clouds Relish Sunset at the summit . Sunset point for photoshoot in Hyderabad

Monsoons are the time when nature is at its best. Mercury levels having dropped a few notches and the lush greenery make it the best time to visit any tourist destination. One such place, whose beauty is heightened in the monsoon, is the Khajaguda Hills in Hyderabad. 

How to get there

There are two ways to reach this place: take the ORR and drive to the bottom of the hill or reach Khajaguda village and follow the path that leads to the hills. The trek to the top of the hills is easy and does not require professional hiking gear.

Use Google Maps, not Apple. Map directly to Delhi Public School. If you map to the exact location, you may be brought in the back way, which is not a way at all. Take Old Mumbai Highway or Outer Ring Road to Khajaguda Road. Follow it to Lanco Hills Road (large silver structures on this intersection). Turn onto Lanco Hills Road. When the divided road ends, take the second right (the first is immediately at the ending of the division). After taking this right, take the first left. The road turns dirt here and heads up the hill. The road is rough but passable. If you wish to walk from here, it is maybe a 10-20 minute approach up hill. If you follow the road (by car or foot) stay right at the fork. You'll reach the top and there is an open area. Park here. The approach from here varies, but should be no more than 10 minutes (to the farthest rocks).

Improvements
In October 2023, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) started work to fence the 2.5 billion-year-old Khajaguda rock formations and limiting access to motorists, visitors, an effort to keep the encroachers at bay.

Outer Ring Road -Lanco Hills link road is under construction as part of Corridor 39B. This 3.89 km long link road is constructed alongside the Khajaguda Heritage Rock Formation.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/telanganas-khajaguda-rock-formation-is-as-old-as-the-earths-crust/articleshow/95272121.cms

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Pakhal Lake

Pakhal lake is situated amidst unspoiled forest in Pakhal wildlife sanctuary near Pakhalashoknagar Village, Khanapur Mandal, Warangal District, Telangana State, India. 'Pakhal' literally means 'a large container of water' and is a Sanskrit derivative. According to the inscription set up on the bund , it was constructed during Ganapatideva by Jagadalu Mummadi, son of the minister Bayyana Nayaka and Bachana nayaka around1213 AD, Maudgalya tirtha close to the temple of Siva-Ramanatha. By the side of the tank he built a splendid city called Ganapura and granted a mansion and five martula of land to Kavichakravarti. The Pakhal Lake is an eloquent testimony to the engineering expertise of the Kakatiyas. Many artificial lakes were constructed during the Kakatiya period. The average depth of the lake is from 30 to 40 ft. The lake is a reservoir created by dam across Pakhal river, tributary of the River Musi.It was built to serve as source of water for irrigational purpose. 

Shitab Khan had the Pakhala tank repaired which still serves many farmlands in the area and is now a picturesque tourist spot. It is the largest artificial piece of water in the State, the length and breadth being 8000 and 6000 yards, while the dam is more than 2000 yards long, and the water covers an area of nearly 13 square miles. Bayyana Nayaka wife was Bachamamba and their sons were Peddana - Ganapati , Nalia - Ganapa and Jagadala - Mummadi .

Pakhal lake is situated about 32 miles East of Warangal and 7 miles North - East of Narsampet , the Taluq Head Quarters and 19 miles from Nechonda Railway Station.

The wildlife and recreation is popular retreat for tourists. The lake is attracting large number of tourists. Moonlights and shores of this lake are simply heavenly. 

Explore the 3.7-mile out-and-back trail near Khanapur, Telangana. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 20 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

About 10 km from Narsampet town and 57 km from Warangal city, Pakhal lake is one of the few unpolluted lakes in India.  The best time to visit the lake is during first three or four months of the year.

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Ashok Sagar Lake

Ashok Sagar Lake in Nizamabad can be a good destination for not just bird enthusiasts but also those who love nature and water bodies

Locally referred to as Jankampet tank, the lake is named after the Collector of Nizamabad district Ashok Kumar for the great work he did for people here. As it is located on the way to the highway that leads to Basar, the lake has become quite a popular place.

As you enter the lake, you see the 18-feet statue of Saraswati erected in the centre. Right next to the lake is the Ashoka Rock Garden where you’ll feel it’s worth spending some time walking around taking in the beauty of the surroundings before you continue your onward journey.

Boating facility is also available here. You can either take a speed boat and cruise across the lake or take a pedal boat and move around at your own pace. The boat ride is really enjoyable during the mornings and evenings.

Located opposite the lake is the Jankampet Dargah wherein locals come to pray. It is believed that anyone who prays here can get their wishes fulfilled. We walk a bit around the nearby village. Some of the houses were quite old and built in the traditional way.

There is particularly one two-storeyed house that attracted my attention. Like most of the houses in the villages, it had blue doors with the lower portion of the door frame in yellow. Right on top of the door was an Om symbol. There was a tulsi plant in front of the house like in most Hindu houses.

How to Go: Ashok Sagar is located at a distance of 8 kms from Nizamabad on the way to Basar on NH63. It is 176 kms from Hyderabad, via the Nagpur Highway and then a small detour. It generally takes about three-and-a-half hours to reach there by car. There are buses to Nizamabad from Hyderabad, and further to Ashok Sagar.

When to go: The best time of the year to go is September to March. After that, it gets really hot.

You can enjoy the beauty of the place during the evening when the boat rides happen.

Where to stay: You will get hotels of all budgets in Nizamabad.

Other places to visit: There are some places nearby which can be visited in the same trip.

Basar Saraswati temple is a very famous temple just 25 kms from the lake. Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of learning. The only Saraswati temple apart from this one is in Jammu and Kashmir State.

Bodhan is a nearby town famous for the Deval Masjid which was originally a Jain temple with beautiful architecture.

Nizamabad Fort and Neelkanteshwar Temple in Nizamabad town are some must-visit places and worth spending some time.

Siddulagutta is a very interesting cave temple on top of small hills quite close by.

https://telanganatoday.com/boating-pristine-waters

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Osman Sagar Lake

Osmansagar, also called Gandipet, is an excellent picnic spot located on outskirts of Hyderabad.

Osmansagar is among the two lakes located on the city’s periphery region supplying drinking water to the city. 

Osmansagar is a beautiful lake located 20 km. west of Hyderabad. The lake is a man made reservoir created by constructing a dam across the Isa, a tributary of Musi River.

The lake has an abutting bund with lush gardens, which provide an ideal ambience for an outing. The lake also houses a heritage building, Sagar Mahal, which was built as a resort by the Hyderabad Nizam and has been transformed into a lake resort by the department of Tourism.

Irrespective of whether it is summer or winter, the place is always crowded with streaming visitors. Mir Osman Ali Khan created this water body as part of the damming project of the river Musi in the year 1920. The idea was to supply drinking water for Hyderabad city. The lake spreads over an area of 46 sq.km and is the chief drinking water source for the twin cities.

Gandipet is a much sought after picnic spot for the people of Hyderabad and has been developed as a public recreation spot with landscaped gardens and swimming pool. Gandipet Lake beckons holidaymakers all over the year from all corners of twin cities. Tourists visiting Gandipet feel pleasant to see a vast stretch of placid water shimmering golden under the morning sun. The cool breeze and soothing ambience adds to the serene environment. Sprawling gardens with colorful flora, the vegetation and trees towards the dam’s lower sides makes the place truly picturesque. The lake also offers boating facilities to the visitors looking forward to a pleasant ride. People come along with family and friends for spending an entire day for having fun. There are snacks and drinks available at the local cafeteria. After a good monsoon, the reservoir is replenished and fills to the brim, which is again a breathtaking sight

Monday - Friday : 7.00 AM - 7.00 PM
Saturday : 7.00 AM - 7.00 PM
Sunday : 7.00 AM - 7.00 PM
Public Holidays : 7.00 AM - 7.00 PM

Source

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/nature-discovery/rangareddy/osman-sagar-lake.html#parentHorizontalTab2

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Lakaram Lake

Lakaram Lake is a lake nestled in the calm and serene ambience of Khammam District in Telangana.

It is one of the major tourist attractions in Telangana and can be a wonderful place for a family picnic. Surrounded by lush green trees and plants, the Lakaram Lake offers scenic views of the beauties of nature and several reasons to admire it. The location of the lake is very convenient as it is just 4 kilometres away from the bus stand.

15 years ago, it was just a lake with waste trees and herbs, but now it has been developed as an amazing tourist spot. The lake also features with a lush green park where you can enjoy and relax in the lap of the nature. You can also enjoy boating in the calm and tranquil water of the lake and witness the beautiful lush green surroundings.

Lakaram lake is the biggest lake among all which had been chosen under the prestigious project Mission Kakatiya for restoring of the lakes in Telangana.

Source

http://www.touristlink.com/india/lakaram-lake/overview.html

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Shamirpet Lake and Deer Park

Shamirpet Lake or Pedda Cheruvu is an artificial lake built during

the Nizam reign in 19th century.

Shamirpet Lake is very fine looking lake and its serene & calm environs makes it a great place to enjoy a lovely time. Near in the vicinity of Shamirpet Lake we have Deer Park too & the combination of both makes it a natural habitat for deer.

Many Telugu movies were also shot here, as well as in the neighbouring Jawahar Deer park, which has many deer, peacocks and birds. The lake is known to be dangerous, as many drowning incidents have been reported here.

One can always find a herd of deer quenching their thirst on the banks of the lake, which is a very fascinating sight. The area around the lake is covered in a large expanse of greenery and one will be able to spot several types of plants and trees here. Special attention has been paid to renovate the area and for this reason, forest cottages have been mounted near the lake for the convenience of tourists. 

One of the major activities held at the lakes is boating, which is a perfect way to explore the natural splendour of the lake. This is an amazing destination for photographers and bird-watchers.

The lake attracts many birds, making it a good birdwatching spot. A resort run by the Government of Telangana is located near the lake. The Outer Ring Road will pass close to the lake. There are many resorts and Private Dhabas around the lake.

In recent times, Shamirpet has become a hotspot in the city with several resorts coming up in the vicinity. The lake itself has become a popular place to spend evenings, bird watching and for the more adventurous, it is a perfect place for rock climbing.

Its beautiful rocky terrain gives us ample opportunity to use our skills to navigate around the boulders while keeping an eye on the lake and surrounding water bodies, sure is a sight for sore eyes. The lush green countryside too helps.

The highway passes along the banks of the lake and there is a very famous temple dedicated to Katta Maisamma, a local Goddess, just beside the road. People throng the temple on weekends and offer animal sacrifice and cook offerings nearby.

There is a path that leads to the lake, you can take your vehicles to the lake bed. Even during heavy monsoons, it has been ages since the lake filled up.

To really experience the lake one has to walk a bit further the trees, the rocks, the lake with the sunset in the horizon is sure to transport you to another world. This lake is not only a blessing for those looking for a quick get away, but also a living tale of why we must protect our lakes.

Jawahar Deer Park :If you want to spot the deer’s at its natural day life then you can get on to observational tower, which shows you entire Shamirpet lake and if you spent few minutes there with calmness you can spot deer’s coming forward from its hiding places or the deer enjoying a water bath in the lake.As the name indicate it’s a deer park so it’s obvious that it a park for deer protection as their population is drastically going down. Its located north from Secunderabad and it was built during the rule of Nizam kings in the 20th century. Jawahar Deer Park is also known as the Shamirpet Deer Park as it’s located in the vicinity of Shamirpet a man made lake constructed 50 years back. Its spread over an area of 80 acres allocated to deer’s and other animals.

Transportation

By Road: The transportation is available by Road, Air and Rail. The best way to reach the place is by road as the site is near the vicinity of Outer Ring Road, making it easily accessible through road.

By Train: Secunderabad Railway station is the nearest railway station to reach Shamirpet Lake.

By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport to Shamirpet Lake.

Timings : 08:00 - 19:00

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Why-Hyderabadis-are-heading-to-Shamirpet-Lake/articleshow/54765185.cms

https://highwayonlyway.com/2013/07/25/high-on-hyderabad-ratnalayam-shamirpet-lake-picnic-hotspots/

https://crazyholidays.in/tours/details/575/jawahar-deer-park-with-shamirpet-lake

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Hussain Sagar

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is spread across an area of 5.7 square kilometers and is fed by River Musi. Maximum depth of the lake is 32 feet

1562 - 1563

Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah commissioned the construction of the lake in 1562. Sufi Saint Hussain Shah Wali, the son-in-law of the king, was entrusted the duty of overseeing the construction work of the lake. Apparently, the lake became so deep and big that it remained empty for a few years and they had to bring an additional channel of water from the Musi to fill it up. "Legend has it that one day, the King went to take a look at the lake after the construction and was more than irked to hear a bystander call it the Hussain Sagar Cheruvu. He had spent a fortune to build it and he was miffed that he got no credit for it. So, the king ordered the construction of Ibrahimpatnam Lake," says Salil Kader, a researcher and a former professor of History, Moulana Azad University.

12 April 1992 

An 18-meter high monolithic statue of Lord Buddha towers over the lake from atop the Rock of Gibraltar. The idea of erecting a giant monolith Buddha statue in the midst of Hussain Sagar lake on the Gibraltar rock was a part of the Buddha Poornima project in 1985. The statue was chiseled out of a white granite rock, weighting 450 tons. It was carved by 200 sculptors for two years. The statue was transported to Hyderabad in November 1988. After initial problems, the statue was erected on 12 April 1992 on a red lotus pedestal.

"The Tank Bund used to be the prized walkway of the city with its pristine surroundings. Many famous people of Hyderabad, liked to take their evening walks there, the most prominent of them being Nawab Dawood Jung, who built the first pavilion on the banks of the lake," recalls Nawab Shafath Ali Khan, the great grand son of Nawab Sultan Ali Khan Bahadur, erstwhile Prime Minister of Hyderabad State. "The sprawling artificial lake divided and united the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad," he adds.

It would be fair to say the lake bears testimony to all that's happened in Hyderabad. The city's first power station, the mint compound, the first telephone exchange, the Burgula Ramakrishna Bhawan, the Secretariat which was the erstwhile palace of Nizam Mehboob Ali Pasha, they all cropped up around the vicinity of the lake, some even encroaching upon it.

A fair share of effluents from the city's earliest industries in Patancheru also found their way in the Tank Bund as did sewage waters. The lake was also a notorious suicide point at one time. Even the Buddha statue took a dip in the waters before being resurrected amid much fanfare after a year. Add to the list, the innumerable Ganesh idols of all sizes, over the years. During the late 80s, the road on the Tank Bund was broadened and beautified with lawns and lined with 33 statues of famous personalities of the State. In the late 90s, the Necklace Road was constructed around the lake in keeping with the new Hi-Tech outlook of Hyderabad.

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

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/Husain-Sagar-more-than-just-a-lake/articleshow/11095400.cms

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Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1952 is located near Pakhalashoknagar Village, Khanapur Mandal, Warangal District, Telangana State, India. It is located by the boundary of Pakhal Lake / Cheruvu, so it was named on the name of lake. It was built to serve as source of water for irrigational purpose. About 10 km from Narsampet town and 57 km from Warangal city, Pakhal lake is one of the few unpolluted lakes in India. This Lake was constructed by Jagadala Mummandi , a son of Bayyana Nayaka , Minister of the Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva in 1213 AD.

The sanctuary covers an area of 879.30 sq. km and is bestowed with rare flora and fauna. Some of the wild animals that can be spotted here at the Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary are Leopard, wild boar, panthers, hyenas, sloth bear, chital, mountain gazelle, blackbuck, four-horned antelope or chousingha and many others. Reptiles such as python, cobra, crocodiles, monitor lizard, etc., can also been seen in the sanctuary. One can also see a wide variety of migratory birds during the month of November to March. The afforestation drive is also attracting rare owl species like the Dusky Eagle-Owl, which is now a crowd puller at the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.Thick-billed green pigeon, which is a very rare record in Telangana, and yellow-footed pigeon, too, have been spotted at Pakhal.  Last time, a tiger was sighted in Rampur forest of Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary in 2009.

The wildlife sanctuary is consisted of various kinds of herbs, shrubs and climbers. It consists mainly of deciduous vegetation such as Emblica officinalis, Cordifolia, Bombax ceiba, Cleistanthus collinus, Flacourtia indica, Bridelia retusa, Dalbergia latifolia, Cochlospermum religiosum, Garuga pinnata. A few of the evergreen species are also seen such as Mallotus philippensis and Aegle marmelos.
It is said to be one of beautiful places on the earth as has greener pastures. Especially during winter, plenty of migrated birds come over here. Animals like Tiger, Wild Dogs, Panthers, Storks, Foxes Hyena, Gaurs, Teals, Spotted Deer’s, Pythons, Jackals, Ducks, Sloth Bears, Nilgai, and Sambars.

The forest department which is taking several steps to promote the Pakhal Lake as one the most sought after tourist spots in the State is planning to introduce night camping and jungle safari facilities in the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in the district. It is already developing amenities like seating areas by setting up the fence covering seven acres of the land on a hillock abutting the Pakhal Lake in an attempt to provide safe shelter for the tourists in view of the growing monkey menace. 

Forest Department prepared plans to develop Pakhal lake, which is part of the Pakhal wildlife sanctuary, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.50 crore in a bid to promote eco-tourism. While a day camping facility is available near the lake, officials plan to set up a canopy walkway (treetop walk) and others soon. 

This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Best time to visit : November – June

Accommodation : Forest Rest House provided by the Telangana Tourism Board which is comfortable for visitors.
How to reach Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary: By Road: Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 50-km from Warangal, Number of buses are available.

By Rail: The nearest rail station is Warangal. Visitors can take Narsampet-Warangal Division which is 50 kms from Warangal.


By Air: Hyderabad is the nearest airport Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.


https://telanganatoday.com/warangal-night-camping-jungle-safari-to-be-introduced-at-pakhal-lake-soon

https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/book-on-pakhal-biodiversity-525362

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Bhadrakali Temple

Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda is significant Devi temple located on the hilltop between the twin cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Telangana. The temple is held in high esteem by devotees of the of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly called the ‘Grant Mother Goddess’. Remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the Goddess (2.7 X 2.7 meters). In the image goddess is seen in a sitting posture with fierce looking eyes and face. The Goddess can also be seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.

The Kohinoor diamond is believed to be originally installed as one of the eyes of the goddess by the Kakatiya kings.

High point of Bhadrakali Temple is an artificial lake of 2 ½ kms

radius in the vicinity of the temple. Number of natural rock formations in the surroundings add to the spiritual charm of the temple and are the most dominant feature of the temple. Some of the unique shaped rocks are said to carry immense spiritual powers. The structure of the temple is said to be 250 years old. Though the image of the deity is called the Bhadrakali, the goddess is said to have been transformed by the mantras into a very rare form called the Tripura Sundari, which includes the Kali form. Tripura Sundari is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Prakriti - the feminine power which is the vital energy of the universe. Literal meaning of Tripura Sundari is 'The Beauty of the Three Worlds' or more precisely the three Cites or 'Pura'.

India is blessed with deeply rooted culture and spirituality and there are eternal structures to narrate our glorious history. One such ancient construction that reveals our history is the Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal. The temple which is counted as one of the oldest temples of Indian History is dedicated to the worship the mother of goddesses, Kali Matha or Bhadrakali Ammavaru. Goddess Bhadrakali is a true example of the capability and strength of women. Surrounded by the lush greenery amidst the hilly region, the Bhadrakali Temple opens up to a picturesque setting on the banks of the Bhadrakali Lake. The serene surroundings of the temple work as an add-on and help the mind to relax and soothe the soul, while one gives away in obedience to the supreme power.

The history behind the temple dates back to 625AD. It is believed that the Chalukya King Pulekesi II after successfully bringing the Vengi region of Telangana under his dominion, constructed a magnificent temple dedicated to the mother goddess to celebrate his victory and also express his dedication and gratitude to goddess Bhadrakali for granting him his competence. We can see the style of the great Chalukya Dynasty in every bit of the temple, right from its architecture to the main deity, which displays the Ekanda Shila or single stone sculpture, which makes as the trademark style attributed to the Chalukyas. One can also observe the strong resemblance to the Kakatiya style of architecture in the temple, particularly the entrance gateways which are made of stone. One of the inner pillars of the temple has a Sanskrit inscription on it. That particular pillar is called the Antralaya stambam.


The lake was later built by Ganapathi deva, a minister of Kaktiya Dynasty. The lake serves as an integral part of the city, being the perennialwaterresourceandisconnectedtothe Maneru Dam via Kakatiya Canal. The lake is sur- rounded by hillocks and other religious spaces such as the padmakshi temples, hanuman temple etc. The temple and the lake prescient attract many pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.

Temple Timings: All Days of the Week


05:30 AM - 01:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 08:30 PM

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/dw-bhadrakali-temple.html

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Ramappa Lake

Ramappa Lake is situated near NH 163 in Palampet village of Venkatapur Mandal, Mulugu district, Telangana, India. 

237 k.m. from Hyderabad

70 k.m. from Warangal

1 k.m from Ramappa Temple

Ramappa Lake is a magnificient example of irrigation work of Kakatiya Rulers constructed in 13- Century A.D. during Ganapathi Deva’s time. Its water is spread over an area of more than 82 Sq.Kms with lush greenery all around. The lake is over looked by beautiful hill ranges in the background providing a spectacular view especially at Sunset time. It is an excellent place for van bojanalu (picnic) and one can simply come here and relax under the shade of sprawling trees or walk around appreciating the beauty of nature or have a fascinating boat ride.

There are excellent huts, eight in number and a good restaurant cum dining hall around Ramappa Lake but these are lying unused because of lack of proper maintenance. A tourism Rest House is also there near the Lake, which has three rooms and a dining hall. A CMEY group is operating boating facility to the Tourists in the Lake.

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS

1. Lake bund is renovated near the Guest House and arrangements are made to enjoy lake view
2. Regular Motoboating facilities provided by CMEY group on rental basis
3. Cafetaria facility provided for the tourists
4. Special Buses from Warangal arranged for Temple and Lake visit on Saturday and Sundays

FUTURE PLANS

1. Bush clearance has to be carried out on both sides of the bund to give a facelift to the entire area.
2. Flowering Plants have to be planted and a garden has to be laid out on the bund near the Tourism Rest House.
3. The Temple which is in an dilapidated condition near the Tourism Rest House needs to be renovated. Moreover, the smaller temples on the other side of the bund need to be improved.
4. The Huts and Rest House can be leased out to a private person who shall maintain them and run on profit basis.
5. Dustbins have to be kept to prevent littering at place.
6. Boards have to be provided at every 10 Kms on the road from Warangal to Ramappa Lake for giving directions and attracting the tourists.
7. 1 Km road for horse riding.

Source: http://warangal.nic.in/tourism/ramalake.htm

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ramappa+Lake,+Telangana/@18.2331778,79.9099151,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x3a330dc00c07f8c5:0xfb5ca3190e6af4ca

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Laknavaram Lake (Cheruvu)

Laknavaram Lake is situated in Mulugu district about 90 km from warangal, 30 KM from Ramappa Temple, 7 km from Govindaraopet and 5 km from Chalvai. Tourists coming from Warangal direction has to take the NH 163 road towards Mulugu. After crossing mulugu, drive 8 km you willget Chalvai before starting please take right direction into the thick forest to reach this place. The green hills of Govindaraopet agency mandal lie side by side to form a massive bowl like structure which holds the spacious, beautiful and pristine lake popular known as ‘Laknavaram Cheruvu’.

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