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Kotilingala Fort & Temple


Kotilingala is a historical site nestled amid huge hillocks and thick green cover on the banks of the Godavari River, Velgatur Mandal, Jagtial district of the Indian state of Telangana.

Archaeological discoveries at Kotilingala indicate that it was an important town in ancient town, during the period of the Assaka mahajanapada and the Satavahanas, is a treat for pilgrims.

The site has a mud fort with several gates and running 1054 metres long and 330 metres wide. A watch tower located in the south-eastern corner measures 11.5 * 10.55 m.

Ancient pottery, beads, bricks querns, and other artifacts have been found at the site. 

Two hoards of punch-marked coins attributed to 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE have been found at the site. These coins were issued by Gobhada and Samagopa, who are believed to be local pre-Satavahana rulers.

The mud fortification, protected by a stream on its east and the Godavari river on its west, indicate its high political and commercial significance.

The archaeological evidence at Kotilingala suggests existence of long-distance trade.

Coins of Satavahana kings have also been found at Kotilingala. A few of these are copper and potin coins bearing the legend "Rano Siri Chimuka Satavahanasa". Some scholars such as A. M. Sastry and K. D. Bajpai have identified the issuer of these coins with Simuka, who is considered as the founder of the Satavahana dynasty based on the Puranic genealogies. However, others such as P. L. Gupta and I. K. Sarma have argued that the Kotilingala coins belonged to a later ruler with a similar or same name have disputed this identification. P.V.P. Sastry, who first discovered these coins and attributed them to Simuka in 1978, also changed his view and later stated that Chimuka or Chhimuka of Kotilingala was not same as the Simuka mentioned in Naneghat inscription.

Other coins include those issued by Kanha and Satakarni. The inscriptions of the early Satavahanas have been found only in present-day Maharashtra (at Nashik and Naneghat), based on which western Deccan has been proposed as the original home of the Satavahanas. 

However, the discovery of coins at Kotilingala and other sites in present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has prompted some historians such as M. Rama Rao to theorize that the eastern Deccan was also a part of the early Satavahana territory. V. V. Krishna Sastry theorized that the site was once a stronghold of the early Satavahanas.

 D. R. Reddy and S. Reddy proposed that Kotilingala was the original homeland of the Satavahanas. However, the Satavahana coin samples from Kotilingala are small in size, and it is not known where these coins were minted. S. Chattopadhyaya argues that coins can travel via trade, and this is not conclusive evidence of the early Satavahana presence in eastern Deccan.

The State government has decided to construct a protection wall along the shores of river Godavari to protect the site from submergence under the backwaters of the Sripada Yellampalli project.

There were transportation facilities to the towns located on the bank of the river Godavari such as Godavarikhani, Jagtial, Mancherial, and Karimnagar.

It is also a Hindu Pilgrimage Site with traditional Shiva temple and the Koteswara Siddeshwara Temple.

The traditional Sri Koteswara Siddeshwara Swamy Devasthanam temple with picturesque background is about 60 km from the Karimnagar.

A good black-topped road from Karimnagar to Rayapatnam takes the pilgrims to the temple in Velgatur mandal. A three-km drive from the main road takes one to the temple.

Legend has it that sages used to meditate in the caves adjoining the hillocks called ‘Munula Gutta’ and visit the banks of the Godavari for bathing. The sages decided to construct a temple and asked Lord Hanuman to get a Siva Lingam. When Lord Hanuman failed to come on time, the sages installed a Siva linga made of sand granules.

By the time Lord Hanuman arrived the Siva lingam was completed leaving the former infuriated. Locals say, Hanuman was pacified and people were asked to first offer prayers to the lingam brought by Hanuman and later to the lingam made with sand granules. According to temple priest Sanjay Sharma, newly-wedded couples offer prayers at this shrine for happy family, good siblings and prosperity.

Koti Lingala has a hoary past as the Satavahana kings used the Godavari for navigation and transportation of goods. It is evident from the wharf on the banks of the river. Buddhism and Jainism also prevailed in the region on “Munula Gutta’ as was evident during the excavations made by the State Archaeology Department.

Pilgrims planning to visit the temple can stay in hotels that suit everybody’s pocket. There is not enough accommodation in the temple nor does the place have good restaurants. Some pilgrims prefer to visit the shrine and cook food in the nearby woods and return in the evening. It is also one of the convenient places during the Godavari Pushkarams because of less flow of pilgrims.


Sources

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/Koti-Lingala-a-major-pilgrim-destination/article11148987.ece

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



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Buddhavanam or Sri Parvatarama

Shri Parvata Aarama project which is under execution seeks to capture the Buddhist heritage of the Telugu land and has the potential to swing Telangana on to the centre-stage of culture tourism. 

Graphical representation of the proposed Buddhist Theme Park
It is appropriate that a project of this magnitude is coming up on the soil of Telangana as it is to the Asmaka country (environs of Bodhan), Buddhism came first in Dakshinapatha during the life time of Buddha himself. By now the story of Bavari, an ascetic who lived on the banks of Godavari in 6th century BC in an ashram practicing traditional rituals is well-known. SuttanipataTripitakaShravasti arhants anagami, arahant.
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Kanakai Waterfalls

The Kanakai waterfall is located near a small village called Girnoor of the Bazarhatnoor Mandal, Adilabad District in Telangana State.

The falls is also called as Kanakadurga waterfalls. The place has a place in the ancient history as well. People from nearby villages come to this place to offer their prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga, in the temple.
The drive to the temple resembles a way paved to reach paradise. The location brings you in direct contact with luscious grasslands and fields. 
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Sri Komaram Bheem Project

The Sri Komaram Bheem Project is a Medium Reservoir has been built across Peddavagu River, a
tributary of the Pranahita River. It is located at Ada village, Asifabad Mandal, Adilabad District, Telangana.

The project named after Komaram Bheem (22 October 1901 – 19 October 1940), was a tribal leader who fought against the Asaf Jahi Dynasty for the liberation of Hyderabad State. Komaram Bheem openly fought against the ruling Nizam government in a guerrilla campaign. He defied courts, laws, and any other form of Nizam authority, living off the sustenance of the forest. He took up arms against Nizam Nawab's soldiers, and fought Babi Jhari until his last breath.

This Project proposed to supply water to Asifabad, Wankidi, Kaghaznagar, and Sirpur mandals more than 45,000 in acres. But currently, the project is providing irrigation water to about 20,000 acres under its left canal 35 km. Right canal will provide irrigation water to about another 25000 acres.

Eco-tourism can be promoted in the pristine natural forests, hillocks, valleys of Kumram Bheem district

All the pain of an arduous 50 km bumpy ride on the Utnoor-Asifabad road vanishes at the sight of the blue waters of the Kumram Bheem Reservoir, located some seven km from Asifabad town in Kumram Bheem district. Most travellers stop by to take in the beauty of the lake and the hillocks beyond to help them overcome the fatigue of the journey.

However, no one stays there for more than a few minutes for the simple reason that there is no place to relax on the shores of the picturesque reservoir. At best, the visitors can approach the water near Ada village where the fishers have made a clearing.

Replicating the Kadem Reservoir model, where the Telangana Tourism department has cottages and operates boats, may not require heavy investment. There is high potential for developing tourism in the newly-carved out Kumram Bheem district, as a large area between Asifabad and Jainoor encompasses numerous hillocks, hill streams and valleys.

The tourism potential and development came up for mention at the recent public meeting held at Jodeghat in Kerameri mandal in connection with the 76th anniversary of martyrdom of Gond leader Kumram Bheem.

Some speakers suggested development of a golf course, a polo ground on the high plateau besides developing adventure tourism. Hyderabad builder, K. Ashwin Rao, a well known eco and adventure tourism enthusiast, rubbished the idea of a golf course and polo ground and favoured keeping the forest intact.

“The Jodeghat valley, is best suited for trekking as the hillocks here are not very high and the forests are thick. Kerala State’s Munnar model of adventure tourism can be implemented here as it will involve local communities too,” he suggested.

“The forest terrain in erstwhile Adilabad district is unique in Telangana State. Trekkers, being a disciplined lot will ensure the nature remains pristine, ,” he added.



http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/Picturesque-but-no-place-to-stay-for-visitors/article16076579.ece

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Kerameri Cave Temples

Located in idyllic settings in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, they attract devout Adivasis in
droves. The large and scenic reservoir of the Kumram Bheem project also offers a perfect getaway for the visitors.

Komaram Bheem Asifabad is set to unravel the mystique of tribal culture and their ethnicity as the religious season for Adivasis has just begun. It is time for the different sects and sub sects of the aboriginal population in this district to worship respective clan deities and other gods and large groups can be seen journeying in bullock carts and on foot to temples located inside the forests and over the hills.

For those who consider the culture of the aboriginal people as something of a mystery, the three equally mysterious cave temples of Adilabad have much to offer by way of revelations. Visitors can actually see and feel that the religious practices of the Adivasis which seem to be superstitious on the surface are actually connected with understanding nature itself.

The three cave temples are Jangubai temple , Bhuyari Pochamma temple and Siddheshwara temple.

Jangubai temple located in the hilly wilderness of Shankarloddi in Kerameri mandal.

The Jangubai temple is by far the most famous among the Adivasis, the Gonds and Pardhans, who visit it as part of a pilgrimage in the Pushya masam coinciding with December-January.

The devout among Gonds observe Jangubai deeksha in the Pushya month and visit the cave temple in large number towards the end of the deeksha. A host of ethnic religious rituals and rites can be seen at the scenic location, which also boasts of a water body at the foot of the hillock.

Bhuyari Pochamma temple located on a hillock on the banks of the Kumram Bheem project reservoir near Manikguda in Asifabad mandal

At the Bhuyari Pochamma temple, the Kolams take part in rituals associated with thanksgiving to the gods. Though many of the Adivasis visit the temple every Sunday, the deity is especially worshipped at the beginning of monsoon and on Dasara.

The large and scenic reservoir of the Kumram Bheem project also offers a perfect getaway for the visitors. The friendly fishermen will offer a ride in the cool water of the reservoir on their surprisingly stable rafts made of thermocol or even a piece of their roasted fish.

Siddheshwara temple located on Penchikalpetgutta hillock in Bejjur mandal.

Reaching the Siddheshwara temple also involves braving the difficulties posed by difficult and roadless terrain as the other two.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/cave-temples-of-adilabad/article6708910.ece


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Ganagapur Temple

Ganagapur Lord Venkateshwara temple in Gangapur is located in Gangapur village in Rebbena
Mandal , Komaram Bheem Asifabad district in Telangana State, India.

This temple was built in the 16th century by a VishwaBrahamin Mummadi pothaji and large number of devotees come from Maharashtra, Chattisgad and Telangana to Gangapur jatra held on magha pournami every year.
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Jodeghat

Jodeghat is a small Village/hamlet in Kerameri Mandal in Komaram Bheem Asifabad District of
Telangana State, India where where legendary Gond leader Kumaram Bheem had attained martyrdom in 19th October, 1940.

The Jal, Jangal and Jameen arch is coming up at Jodeghat where Adivasi legendary Komaram Bheem died fighting with Nizam forces for sovereignty of 12 villages and land, forest and water in Kerameri mandal in 1940. Jal, Jangal and Jameen arch is being constructed as it reflects the aspirations of the Adivasis. 

The state government is developing the area as a tourist and historical place by constructing tribal museum, amphitheatre, multi-media hall and Komaram Bheem memorial to attract tourists.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao may inaugurate the arch and lay foundation stone to a park on the occasion of 75th death anniversary of Komaram Bheem on October 27.

The project is being taken up at a cost of Rs 25 crore and sanction was given for Rs 18 crore under first phase. A video album was shot at Jodeghat to popularise the project to attract tourists to develop the place under tourist circuit. The Department of the Tourism is planning to develop the places.

The Principal Secretary Tourism, B.P. Acharya on Friday said the government was contemplating to start a light and sound show at the historic Jodeghat village.

Kumra Manikrao of Jodeghat said for the first time some people are looking like foreigners with grey and white hair came to their gudem and it was cultural shock for many of the villagers present on seeing the dressings, behaviour and body language of foreigners and added that they spoke in English but villagers and one person came with them translated into Telugu.

The foreigners took photographs with villagers and the villagers laughed at them as many of them including women wore shorts. They captured the entire area of Jodeghat and its surroundings of pristine jungles by using Helicopter camera and there was a photo shoot.

Komaram Baderao expressed concern about their indigenous culture and traditions and expressed anxiety about coming days saying that they don’t know what more they were going to see in future after Jodeghat was fully developed as tourist place. Most of Adivasis of the Jodeghat were clueless about what was coming up at their village and some of them say that their leader Komaram Bheem’s puthla (statue) was coming up.

Adivasi leaders have started expressing fear of penetration of non-tribals into interior Jodeghat area and will exploit natural resources in the forest just after project was developed as tourist place.

Adivasis also expressed fear of non-tribals and outsiders will also exploit the gullible Adivasi women in the guise of creating employment under tourism development like in the Araku Valley which was a ere in Andhra Pradesh.    

Jodeghat is surrounded by Jiwati Mandal towards North , Jainoor Mandal towards west , Sirpur (U) Mandal towards west , Asifabad Mandal towards East . 

Kagaznagar , Rajura , Chandrapur , Bellampalle are the nearby Cities to Jodeghat.  

The stretch of road which leads to the village of Jodeghat will soon become a seven-meter-wide blacktopped facility as part of the State government’s plan to develop this place into a tourist spot



http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/plans-to-boost-tourism-in-jodeghat/article7140233.ece

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151024/nation-current-affairs/article/jal-jungle-jameen-arch-jodeghat





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Manthani Gauthameswara Temple

Manthani Gauthameswara temple is located in the heritage place of Manthani, this temple is known for its great historical archeological and religious evidence. This temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, and you will also get to know more about some parts of Jain and Buddhist cultures, as located within this segment. The main deity over here is Gautameswar. There is no such history about its origin, but the lingam is stated to be more or less similar to Thousands pillar temple.

The Kakatiya kings renovated this old temple during their reign and its sculpture is a must see.
The Manthani Gautameshwara temple has Godavari river in its surroundings and to its north, there is Bokkala Vaagu however in the southern direction there is a lush green forest. To its east lies Ravula Cheruvu which is a small lake.

This place is considered to be the oldest example of Vedic learning and with a growing knowledge platform for the vacationers. The temple is quite fragile at this point of time, but the idol of Lord Shiva and his bull is quite prominent even now.
Whenever the main area relates to archeological, historical and religious belief, you are always asked to take a trip to this temple. Even though, there are various other temples available too, but nothing can beat the importance of this temple, as dedicated to Lord Shiva.
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Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple

Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple located in Sundilla Village , Kamanpur Mandal, Pedddapalli District, Telangana State, India is a famous historic temple.

Lord Narasimha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu to save his devotee Prahalada from the clutches of his demon father Hiranyakashipa. The Lord Narasimha (Man-Lion) is fourth incarnation among the major ten incarnation of Lord Narayana. The birth of Lord Narasimha is celebrated with faith and joy on the fourteenth day of bright half month of Vaishakha.

There are innumerable temples throughout the world where Lord Narasimha is worshipped in various forms such as Ugra-Narasimha, and Lakshmi-Narasimha. But, in Sundial Village he is worshipped as Yoga-Narasimha.

This temple was renovated by Kakatiyas in 13th Century

This temple is located at a distance of 5 kms from Godavarikhani Bus Station.
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Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy, Odela

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple of Lord Shiva is located about 2 km from the Odela village and
Mandal, Peddapalli District in Telangana State, India.

Sri Bramarambha Mallikarjuna Swamy vari Tiru Kalyana Mahotsavam celebrated grandly every year. Devotees from various cities participate the kalyana mahotsavam.

Acitvities
Nakabali, Ammavariki Kunkumarchana, Grama paryatana vuregimpu, Maha Shivaratri parvadinam saamuhika rudrabhishekam, Archanalu Radotsavamu,
Ugadi, Bandlu tiruguta, Vahana Poojalu. Sree Rama Navami, Sree Seetha Ramula Kalyanam, Toli Ekadasi, Pedda Patnamulu - Agni gunda Mahotsavamulu, Swamy variki mahanyasa poorvaka ekkadasha redrabhishekamulu, dakshma yaam kadha sravanamu, gelupu utsavamulu, Saamuhika laksha Jwalarchana, Vinayaka Chavithi, Navarathri Utsavalu, Dussera, Vijaya Dasami (Shami Pooja), Karthika pournami Deepotsavamu.

The village is connected by rail and road. The village falls on the train route between Delhi and Chennai between the Kazipet and Balarshah divisions of Indian Railway. Daily there are three trips of government Bus which connects it to nearby small town Sultanabad, which falls on the state highway No 1 connecting the state capital Hyderabad and Ramagundam, known as Rajiv Rahadhari.

People of this village are mostly farmers, mainly cultivating paddy, corn and cotton.

History
Once upon a time in a dense forest a sage called Sri Pankaj Maha Muni lived and he used to offer prayers to the Shiva Lingam every night. There are inscriptions on the temple pillar which substantiates the story. As the time rolled by, the sage died and the Shiva Lingam that he worshipped was covered under the nests of ants. Some years later, a farmer by name Chinthakunta Odelu was tilling his land. His plough suddenly struck the Shivalingam. He took it out and constructed a temple around it.

There are sub-shrines in the temple for Lord Sri Rama and village deities Bangaru Pochamma and Madana Pochamma temples. On the southern side of the temple is Sri Bramarambha Mata; on the northern side is Sri Veerabhadra Swamy; on the western side of the temple is Veera Shaiva Mattam; on the westernside there is big banyan tree known as Matta Marri. Lord Shri Bhairava Swamy is seen here as Kshetra Palaka. On the northeastern side of the temple there are idols of Lord Shiva in the form of Shri Khandiswara Swamy and that of two local ardent devotees of Lord Shiva, Medala Devi and Ketamma.

Karimnagar (50 Km) is the nearest city to reach the temple. Karimnagar is connected to all the major cities of telangana. Odela railway station is 2.9 km and Kazipet Railway Junction is 60 km from the temple.

Bhagyanagar express, Sirpur Kagaznagar Intercity and Kagaznagar express are the major trains available from Hyderabad City.

Contact Number: 087282 00320






http://www.odelatemple.com

http://www.mandirinfo.com/TempleDetails.aspx?HID=185

http://www.yatrastotemples.com/sri-odela-mallikarjuna-swamy-devasthanam-karimnagar/





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Adhivaraha Swamy temple

Adhivaraha Swamy temple is very historical temple located in Kamanpur Village, Manthani Mandal,
Peddapalli District in Telangana State India.

Aadi Varaha Swamy Devasthanam, the presiding deity which is as incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of a wild boar, worshipped by devotees in large numbers in this tiny village of Kamanpur.

Located adjoining Singareni open cast project amid thick greenery around, this is the only temple of Varaha Swamy in the country which is not installed in a sanctum sanctorum. The deity is found on a rock on a small hillock. Come rain or shine, the deity is worshipped in open by the devotees. This is the second Varaha Swamy temple in the country after Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).

Local priests say that the temple emerged some 600 years ago when the incarnation was very small in the size of rat. However, over the years, the incarnation of the god had grown to a height of two feet. It is believed that the incarnation of the god grows every year slightly and it has hairs also.

Though, there is no demand for the construction of temple for the incarnation as it is believed that the God does not allow any construction around him and several efforts also proved futile. The locals say that the authorities should provide basic amenities such as rest rooms and dormitories for the benefit of pilgrims and proper road facilities. The existing road laid by the NTPC Ramagundam some years ago was damaged and causing inconvenience to the road users.

Devotees from far flung places visit the temple shrine to offer special prayers such as abhishekhams and other rituals.

During the Sravana masam, the pilgrims visit in large numbers to offer prayers. It is believed that the presiding deity offers ‘varalu’ (fulfill the wishes) of the devotees and hence called as Aadhi Varaha swamy.





http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/Varaha-Swamy-temple-cries-for-attention/article14572670.ece


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Sri Rama Gundalu

Sri Rama Gundalu on Genco Hills, Ramagundam, Peddapalli District, Telangana State, India is one
of the oldest temples.

This hill has 108 springs and it is believed that Sri Rama came here during 13 year exile.

Ramagundam is a city is in the Peddapalli district of the Indian state of Telangana. It is the biggest and most populous city in the Peddapalli district. It is located on the banks of the Godavari river. The City of Ramagundam gets its name from a combination of two words: (Rama + Gundam). Ramagundam is known as city of Energy.

As of 2015 census, the city had a population of 287,644, making it the 5th most populous in the state.





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Peddapalli District

Head Quarters        : Peddapalli
Revenue divisions    : 2 (Peddapalli and Manthani)
Mandals              : 14
Population           : 795,332
Area (km2)           : 4,614.74 (1,781.76 sq mi)
Literacy             : 65.54%
Highways              : SH 1
Rivers               : Godavari
Vehicle Registration : TS 22
Collector            : Alugu Varshini
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Suryapet District

Head Quarters        : Suryapet
Revenue divisions    : 2 (Suryapet and Kodad )
Mandals              : 23
Population           : 10,99,560
Area                 : 3,374.41 km2 (1,302.87 sq mi)
Literacy             : 64.11
Rivers               : Musi
Highways             : NH 65, NH 365, NH 365 A, SH 42
Vehicle Registration : TS 29
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Phanigiri Budhist Site

Phanigiri is a village in Tirumalagir mandal of Suryapet district, Telangana.

It is home to one of the significant Buddhist sites of immense archaeological importance. The name of Phanigiri village is believed to have been derived from the shape of hillock which is located on the northern side of the village that appears like a snake hood. In Sanskrit language, the word Phani means Snake and Giri means hillock.

Phanigiri is situated about 52 km from Nalgonda town. The place consists of a Buddhist complex which is adorned with a massive Stupa along with two apsidal halls with stupas in it.
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