Pillalamarri Temple Suryapet

The Pillalamarri Temple of Suryapet (Telangana state) is dated back to almost 1000 years and is considered to be one of the oldest ancient temples.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is located in Pillalamarri village in the Suryapet town. Historically significant as the gateway of Telangana, Suryapet town is located on the National Highway 9 between Hyderabad and Vijaywada. In addition to the Pillalamarri temple, the village also houses several other ancient temples built during the Kakatiya period. This helps to enhance the historical and religious value of the village.

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Nizamabad Museum

The District Archaeological museum in Nizamabad was established in Nizamabad’s Tilak Garden, which was originally constructed in 1936 by VIIth Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The District Archaeological Museum was officially opened to the public in October, 2001. It exhibits a wide variety of artefacts and antiquities that represents the evolution of human civilization right from Paleolithic era to Vijayanagara times (16th Century A.D.).

The District Archaeological museum in Nizamabad is broadly classified into three sections namely 

• Archaeological section
• Sculptural gallery, and 
• Bronze and decorative gallery

Archaeological section 

The Archaeological section mainly includes tools of Paleolithic, Neolithic as well as late stone age times, (Microlithic) from 50000 to 5000 B.C. and also the megalithic pottery and iron implements from 1000 B.C. to the 3rd century B.C. The museum displays early historic and cultural material of the Satavahana times such as pottery, Iron implements, bangle pieces, beads, terracotta and bricks dating back from 2nd Century BC to 2nd Century AD. The Coins housed in the Museum are of punch marked varieties (3rd - 4th Century BC to the British period). A hoard of Vijayanagara era’s Gold coins unearthed at Bodhan is displayed here. 

The collection includes coins of Satavahana dynasty, Vishnukundins, Kakatiyas, Ikshvakus, Qutub Shahi dynasty, Vijayanagara, British period etc., along with a Quran Sharif of medieval period. A chart which shows the evolution of Telugu script from the 3rd century B.C. until 16th century A.D can also be seen here.

Sculptural gallery 

This gallery includes sculptures from different Dynasties such as Chalukya dynasty, Kakatiya dynasty, Rashtrakutas, and also the Vijayanagar kingdom (16th & 17th Century AD). The important sculptures here includes Jaina, Ganesha, Parsvanath, Veerabhadra, Chamundi, Secular, Hero Stones, Sculptures, a Sculptural Panel depicting Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi and Chennakesava,. A finely carved Door Jamb that was made of Red sand stone, from Vijayanagar dynasty is erected here in front of the Museum.

Bronze and Decorative gallery 

The Bronze and Decorative section at the museum includes Bronze articles from different periods ranging from Chalukyas to Vijayanagara times. Decorative Arts constitute Bidiriware, porcelain and enamel ware. The important objects on display here are Arms and Armour, including swords of different types with gold inlay work, chest plates, shields, curved swords, arrows, daggers etc. from Qutb Shahi and Asif Jahi periods. The paintings on display are miniature paintings of medieval period and contemporary period. 

Bidriware Collection 

Bidriware derives its name from the old town of Bidar. The bidri articles that are displayed here in the Museum are Huqqahas, Pandan, Spittons, Flower vases, Betel Nut Boxes etc. and other items. Most of these artefacts were brought from Hyderabad by the Department of Archaeology & Museum. 

Arms & Weapons Section 

Several armour varieties of ancient world are displayed here such as the Roman, Persian, Russian and Indian Armies of medieval period. These include Persian Indian swords, lances, spears, daggers, chest plates, suns and arrows with damascening ( with an inlay of gold work) workmanship, offensive weapons such as the lances, spears, the axes and heavy swords accompanying double edged flat blades. The weapons were reportedly used by the Nawabs of Golconda during the medieval period. Coins, Manuscripts such as the Holy Quran, Pre-history objects, Stone Sculptures of Early history, Modern Paintings and Miniature painting are also part of the impressive display in the Museum at Nizamabad. 

How to Reach

The District Heritage, Archaeological Museum in Nizamabad is located in Tilak Garden, very near to the Bus stand and Railway Station. Nizamabad can be reached by road from Hyderabad, nearly 175 km away. 

Location

Tilak Garden, Nizamabad

Visitor Facilities

Clean drinking water and rest rooms are available. Seating arrangements have been provided in the garden. A Companion Guide to the Museum is also available.

Timings : 10.30 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Fridays and Public Holidays.

http://www.telanganamuseums.com/dist-museum-nizamabad.html

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Kondapur Museum

Kondapur Museum (Late.17.33' N 78.1'E) is located on a small hillock about one km south of the village of Kondapur in Medak District, Telangana, around 70 kms from Hyderabad.

It is a Pre-Satavhana site dating back to 200 BC - 200 AD.
Capital of Mahisamandala
Discovered a 25-ft high mound spread over 100 acres which they presume to be a Buddhist stupa with myriad segments throwing light on the Buddhist link of the present Telangana region. 

One of the fortified urban settlements of Satavahanas. 


Proved to be an important kshetra of Brahmanical faith particularly Sakti cult of that time which was clearly shown through the exposed structures and other associated findings such as coins and sealings. 

The excavation yielded a large number of glass vessels indicating Roman influence that indicate the existence of a separate settlement of Romans in Kondapur who had brisk contact and trade with India. 

If a stupa is unearthed as hoped by the ASI, this will be the first Buddhist site in Telangana, firmly establishing the belief among historians that this region too was part of the Satavahana empire that extended into present Maharashtra and that Kondapur, indeed, was a city that had a direct connection with Paithan.

The stupas found elsewhere in the State, barring the Amaravathi ones, occupied smaller extents. 

The exhibits from this museums are basically retrieved from an ancient mound locally known as Kotagadda (Fort Mound) located at a distance of one km east of the museum.

Nearly 2,000 coins and many coin-moulds, ornaments made of gold and semi-precious stones, beads and terracotta figurines have been recovered from the surface area itself. 

A valuable find was a gold coin of the Roman king Augustus.

The historians’ team is of the view that ancient Kondapur city was larger than Amaravathi skirted by a mud-fort. 

A lake that possibly served the city as its water source, lies now by the side of the mound. 

While the fort’s mud-wall is visible even now, most of the other remains of the city lie buried under the earth, as a result of the earthquakes and catastrophes through ages.

Any excavation of the agricultural fields that covered these remains now, are sure to reveal different facets of the buried city, says Mr. Das.

Several structural remains have already been identified, some of them belonging to Chaitya halls/monasteries. 

Furnaces, floors, workplaces and storerooms have also been discovered indicating a rich industrial past. It is assumed that ceramic industry thrived in ancient Kondapur.

The site was first explored by the famous Archaeologist Mr. Henry Cousens in the early years of the 19th Century. Subsequently the Department of Archaeology of the erstwhile Hyderabad State under H.E.H. the Nizam of Hyderabad excavated this mound for a couple of seasons from 1940. A small museum was established with the excavated material over the ancient site itself which was later shifted to the present building. The museum came under the administrative control of Archaeological Survey of India in 1952.

The Archaeological Museum, Kondapur houses a rich collection of minor antiquities unearthed from the digs of 1940-1942. The museum has a Central hall and two more galleries in enclosed corridors.

In the main hall a good number of antiquities are displayed in wall showcases representing different facets of material culture of the early historic period such as pottery, terracotta figurines, bone and shell objects, metal objects, talismans, pendants, beads, inscribed pottery and coins etc. brick tiles, sharpening stones, moulded bricks and designed panels.

In the other galleries, prehistoric tools and fossils are exhibited. Apart from these objects, a couple of sculptures, a Buddhapada, a standing image of four handed Vishnu carved on a door jamb and two inscribed storage jars are other attractive pieces in this gallery.

Entrance Fee Rs.2/- for visitors above 15 years
Museum Hours 1000 A.M. to 0500 p.m.

Free entrance to children below 15 years.
Museum remain closed on Friday

http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_kondapur.asp
http://www.panoramio.com/user/6860561/tags/kondapur%20museum
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/historical-site-discovered-at-kondapur/article1177396.ece

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Bheemuni Paadam Waterfalls

Bheemuni Paadam Waterfalls is situated in Seethanagaram Village, GUDUR Mandal, Mahabubabad in Telangana State, INDIA.

At a distance of 10 km from Gudur Bus Stand, 55 km from Warangal, 88 km from Khammam Bus Station and 200 km from Hyderabad, hidden inside a dense forest, is a picturesque waterfall known as Bheemuni Paadam (Bheema’s step)
The Bheemuni Padam waterfall came into limelight recently when determined tourists began making their way to it.

At the Bheemuni Padam, water falls from a hillock from about 20 feet in a semi-circular enclosure. Apart from the sound of falling water, it is quiet all around. It has has not been conclusively established where the water comes from. Even when the flow is less, it is used to irrigate local fields.

Visitors say the waterfall has lot of scope if facilities are provided and the tourism department markets the place. Lack of security is a concern since the area can get lonely.

This place is so beautiful. It is ideal for family picnics.

When sun rises and sets the water shines in rainbow colors which is an amazing sight. The water drops down from a height of about 70 ft to form a fool at the bottom. The flow of water is heavy in monsoon season. A cave beside the falls which is believed to be 10 km long is the other attraction here.

The approach road to the falls runs through thick forest and water streams. The waterfall is about 3 kms from Bhupathipet between Manoharabad and Narsmapet. While coming from Warangal, take left turn at Bhupathipet and reach the falls via Chinnayellapur.

Apart from the waterfall, there are several lakes nearby which can be visited as well. There are idols of Lord Shiva and Nagadevatha in a small enclosure near the falls where visitor perform poojas.

Best time to visit the waterfalls is during monsoons. Large number of tourists visit this place during weekends and on holidays.

A person named Yadava Raju get married with two women’s and raju blessed with a daughter for first wife. When Yadava Raju visited Papameda Gutha (Hills) her second wife planned to put an end to first wife and daughter.So she planned to build a house named as “LakhaMedha” with wooden sticks which can easily burns.  Pandava Legend goes that, Bheemasena set foot here to make way for water to to save her with daughter.

On the Foot of Lord Bheema the Water Get Flows and when sun rises and sets the water shines in rainbow colors which was most beautiful to capture it and never seen before.

The floating of water From Bheema Padam Connects and fills three lakes near by surrounding.

With the use of These Water from one side 2000 acres and from other side 500 acres of Agriculture lands will be cropped for every year.

Idols at Bheemuni paadam Waterfalls were lord shiva and nagadevatha where every visitor gets attracted by the architecture of idols which realize from many cause.

How to Travel

From Warangal to Narsampet its 59.5 km’s which can travel for 1hr 16 minutes.From Narsampet its Just 17 KMS’s, on the way at 14km take a cross at bhupathipet Village and travel for 2-3 km’s and you reach Kommula Vanch village.


Buses: Number of Busses at Warangal and Hanamkonda Bustands to Narsampet.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150824/nation-current-affairs/article/hidden-waterfall-warangal-forest

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