Rangapur Hazrath Niranjan Shah Wali Dargah

Rangapur Hazrath Niranjan Shah Wali Dargah is located in Rangapur village, Achampet Mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana State, India

A Dargah is an important and sacred shrine in Islamic culture and spirituality. Typically, it is associated with the final resting place of a revered Sufi saint.

People from different religious faiths visit the holy on the occasion of the annual Urs festival every year on 17th January.

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Maddimadugu Sri Pabbathi Anjaneya Swami Temple

Maddimadugu Sri Pabbathi Anjaneya Swami Temple is located in Maddimadugu village, Padara Mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana State, India is afamous and well known temple in the state and fastest growing holistic pilgrimage temple in Nagarkurnool district.

This temple is located in deep Nallamala forests of Amarabad Reserved tigers forest beside Krishna river (9 km away from river).  Pilgrims visiting  Srisailam also visit this temple.

A large number of pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year, particularly on weekends, Monday and Tuesday on festivals from all over the districts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

July 24, 2022 : Telangana: Endowments wing seeks tiger reserve land for temple choultries, marriage hall in Nallamala.

There is no accommodation near temple.

Timings : 6 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 9 PM

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Telangana Railways

Telangana Railway is part of South Central division of Indian Railways. The South Central Railway (abbreviated SCR) is one of the 17 zones of Indian Railways consists of 6 divisions Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada (Andhrapradesh), Nanded (Maharashtra), Hyderabad and Secunderabad (Telangana).

South Central Railway serves the entire state of Telangana, major portion of Andhra Pradesh and considerable portion of Karnataka, Maharastra states and small parts of Tamilnadu and Madhya Pradesh.

Oct 2, 1966 : South Central Railway was formed on Oct 2 1966 when Hubli and Vijayawada Divisions of Southern Railway and Sholapur and Secunderabad Divisions of Central Railway were carved out and merged into a new Zone. Subsequently, Guntakal Division of Southern Railway was merged with South Central Railway on Oct 2, 1977 and Sholapur Division was remerged with Central Railway. 

Secunderabad division was formed on October 1, 1966. Secunderabad Division was split into two Divisions viz. Secunderabad and Hyderabad on Feb 17, 1978 Following re-organisation of zones and Divisions with effect from April 1, 2003, two new Divisions viz., Guntur and Nanded were operationalized duly transferring Hubli Division to newly formed South Western Railway.

There are 212 railway stations in Telangana. The 5 main Telangana railway stations are Secunderabad Junction, Hyderabad Deccan, Kacheguda, Warangal, Kazipet Junction.

Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway (NGSR) was a railway company operating in India from 1879 to 1950. 

October 9, 1874 : Secunderabad Railway Station, which was built in the year 1874, experienced the fun of the first train in 1876 October when the commission of Wadi-Secunderabad line was passed.

The construction of the Secunderabad station was proposed in the year 1870. Then Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Mehboob Ali Khan Siddiqui gave his nod for the project aimed to connect the Hyderabad state with the rest of India through railways. The construction of the Secunderabad-Wadi line and the Secunderabad railway station was completed on October 9, 1874, introducing railways to Hyderabad.

1907 : The Hyderabad Railway Station was also known as Nampally. 
The Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station, popularly known as Nampally Railway Station, was built in 1907 by Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII, the last Nizam of Hyderabad.

1980 : Electrification on SCR started with the electrification of Vijayawada - Gudur section in 1980.

South Central Railway(Telangana)

1. Adilabad
2. Bhongir
3. Chevella
4. Hyderabad
5. Karimnagar
6. Khammam
7. Mahabubabad
8. Mahbubnagar
9. Malkajgiri
10. Medak
11. Nagarkurnool
12. Nalgonda
13. Nizamabad
14. Peddapalle
15. Secunderabad
16. Warangal
17. Zahirabad

Indian Railways founded on 12 September 1837 with Headquarters Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, India

1837 AD : The first steam operated railway operated in 1837 in Madras

In 1832, the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at Madras was made. In 1835, a railway track was constructed between Red Hills and Chintadripet in Madras and became operational in 1837. It was hauled by a rotary steam engine imported from England and was used for ferrying granite
 

The Madras Railway was established in 1845 and the Great Indian Peninsular Railway was incorporated in 1849

16th April 1853 : The first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane in 16th April 1853, a distance of 34 km. It was operated by three locomotives, named Sahib, Sultan and Sindh, and had thirteen carriages.

In 1925, the first electric train ran in Bombay on DC traction. The first locomotive manufacturing unit was commissioned in 1950 at Chittaranjan with the first coach manufacturing unit set-up at Madras in 1955.

1. Central Railway Mumbai
1) Mumbai
2) Nagpur
3) Bhusawal
4) Pune
5) Sholapur

2. Eastern Railway Kolkata

1) Howrah-I
2) Howrah-II
3) Sealdah
4) Malda
5) Asansol
6) Chitaranjan
7) Kolkata Metro

3. East Central Railway Hajipur
1) Danapur
2) Mugalsarai
3) Dhanbad
4) Sonpur
5) Samastipur 

4. East Coast Railway Bhubaneshwar
1) Khurda Road
2) Waltair
3) Sambhalpur 

5. Northern Railway Baroda House, New Delhi
1) Delhi-I
2) Delhi-II
3) Ambala
4) Moradabad
5) Lucknow
6) Firozpur 

6. North Central Railway Allahabad
1) Allahabad
2) Jhansi
3) Agra 

7. North Eastern Railway Gorakhpur
1) Izzatnagar
2) Lucknow
3) Varanasi
4) DLW

8. North Frontier Railway Maligaon, Guwahati
1) Katihar
2) Alipurduar
3) Rangiya
4) Lumding
5) Tinsukhia 

9. North Western Railway Jaipur
1) Jaipur
2) Jodhpur
3) Bikaner
4) Ajmer 

10. Southern Railway Chennai
1) Chennai
2) Madurai
3) Palghat
4) Trichy
5) Trivendrum 

11. South Central Railway Secunderabad
1) Secunderabad
2) Hyderabad
3) Guntakal
4) Vijaywada
5) Nanded 

12. South Eastern Railway Garden Reach, Kolkata
1) Kharagpur
2) Adra
3) Chakradharpur
4) Ranchi
5) Shalimar 

13. South East Central Railway Bilaspur
1) Bilaspur
2) Nagpur
3) Raipur 

14. South Western Railway Hubli
1) Bangalore
2) Mysore
3) Hubli
4) RWF/YNK 

15. Western Railway Churchgate
1) BCT
2) Vadodara
3) Ahemdabad
4) Ratlam
5) Rajkot
6) Bhavnagar 

16. West Central Railway Jabalpur
1) Jabalpur
2) Bhopal
3) Kota

01 SC Secunderabad Junction Secunderabad
02 KCG Kacheguda Kacheguda
03 HYB Hyderabad Deccan Hyderabad Deccan
04 WL Warangal Warangal
05 KZJ Kazipet Junction Kazipet
06 KMT Khammam Khammam
07 NZB Nizamabad Junction Nizamabad
08 LPI Lingampalli Lingampalli
09 RDM Ramagundam Ramagundam
10 MCI Manchiryal Mancheral
11 VKB Vikarabad Junction Vikarabad
12 BMT Begumpet Begampet
13 MABD Mahbubabad Mahbubabad
14 TDU Tandur Tandur
15 BSX Basar Basar
16 BDCR Bhadrachalam Road Bhadrachalam Road
17 SKZR Sirpur Kaghaznagar Sirpur Kagaznagar
18 NLDA Nalgonda Nalgonda
19 MBNR Mahbubnagar Mahbubnagar
20 MRGA Miryalaguda Miryalaguda
21 KMC Kamareddi Kamareddi
22 BPA Bellampalli Belampalli
23 GWD Gadwal Junction Gadwal
24 MJF Malkajgiri Junction Secunderabad
25 ZN Jangaon Jangaon
26 MDR Madhira Madhira
27 PDPL Peddapalli Junction Peddapalli
28 DKJ Dornakal Junction Dornakal
29 JMKT Jammikunta Jammikunta
30 ZB Zahirabad Zahirabad
31 KDM Kesamudram Kesamudram
32 BG Bhongir Bhongir
33 SHNR Shadnagar Shadnagar
34 JCL Jadcherla Jadcherla
35 ALER Aler Aler
36 SKP Shankarpalli Shankarpalli
37 KSN Krishna Krishna
38 MLY Moula Ali Moula Ali
39 MED Medchal Medchal
40 GNP Ghanpur Ghanpur
41 CHZ Charlapalli Secunderabad
42 ADB Adilabad Adilabad
43 BMO Bolarum Bolarum
44 VNUP Vishnupuram Vishnupuram
45 SRNR Sriramnagar Sriramnagar
46 NKD Nekonda Nekonda
47 AKE Akanapet Akanapet
48 MZL Mirzapalli Mirzapali
49 SNF Sanathnagar Sanathnagar
50 WPR Wanaparti Road Wanparti Road
51 UR Umdanagar Hyderabad
52 BN Bibinagar Bibinagar
53 RVKH Ravindrakhani Ramakrishnapur
54 WDR Wadiaram Wadiaram
55 YP Errupalem Errupalem
56 OEA Odela Odela
57 OPL Uppal Uppal
58 SBBJ Sri Bala Brahmeswara Jogulamba Halt Sri Balabrahmeswara Jogulamba
59 FM Falaknuma Hyderabad
60 CTYL Chityala Chityala
61 KOLR Kolanoor Kolnur
62 MMZ Mandamari Mandamari
63 TMX Timmapur Timmapur
64 RECH Rechni Road Rechni Road
65 NAW Nawandgi Nawandgi
66 ASAF Asifabad Road Rebbena
67 BKL Bona Kalu Bona Kalu
68 GLA Garla Garla
69 PTKP Potkapalli Potkapalli
70 RGP Raghunathpalli Raghunathpalli
71 MXT Malakpet Hyderabad
72 BDVL Budvel Hyderabad
73 HSP Hasanparthi Road Hasanparthi Road
74 GT Ghatkesar Ghatkesar
75 PBP Pembarti Pembarti
76 SRUR Sirpur Town Sirpur
77 PPZ Peddampet Peddempet
78 BGSF Bisugirsharif Bisugirsharif
79 PQL Pindial Pindlai
80 KYOP Kottapalli Kottapalli
81 KOHR Kohir Deccan Kohir Deccan
82 RGPM Raghavapuram Raghavapuram
83 RAG Raigir Raigir
84 HBLN HBL Nagar HBL Nagar
85 MUGR Manuguru Manuguru
86 RMNP Ramannapet Ramannapet
87 GWV Gowdavalli Gowdavalli
88 STPD Sitafal Mandi Sitafal Mandi
89 BTPD Bethampudi Bethampurdi
90 LPJL Lingampet - Jagityal
91 KRA Karepalli Karepalli
92 CMW Chimalpahad Chimapahad
93 MTPI Metpally
94 TPY Tadakalpudi Tadakalpudi
95 GHPU Gandhipuram Halt Gandhipuram
96 NRDP Nagireddipalli Nagireddipalli
97 PCZ Pocharam Pocharam
98 KRLA Korutla
99 ARMU Armur
100 NVT Navipet Navipet
101 KDGL Kondrapole Halt Kondrapole
102 CTF Chitgidda Chitgidda
103 BABR Balanagar Balanagar
104 GUU Gundratimadugu Gundratimadugu
105 SCP Sirnapalli Sirnapalli
106 PNDP Pandillapalli Pandillapalli
107 NPML Mallial Nukapalli
108 PUDR Podur
109 DBV Dabilpur Dabilpur
110 SFX Safilguda Secunderabad
111 LGDH Lalaguda Gate Secunderabad
112 PGP Pandurangapuram Panduranga Pura
113 DYE Dayanand Nagar Secunderabad
114 SKNR Shakar Nagar Shakar Nagar
115 VLG Valigonda Vanigonda
116 CKN Chinta Kani Chinta Kani
117 SSPD Sadashivapet Road Sadashivapet Road
118 CVB Cavalry Barracks Cavalrybarrcks
119 PPY Papatapalli Papatapalli
120 MHBT Mahbubnagar Town Halt Mahbub Nagar
121 MRKL Marikal
122 KOTT Kottur Kottur
123 MRTD Morthad
124 ARPL Arepalli Halt Arepalli
125 YNG Yenugonda Yenugonda
126 ALPR Alampur Road Alampur
127 BDHN Bodhan Bodhan
128 SHAN Srinivasa Nagar Srinivasa Nagar
129 MDPJ Madanapur Halt Madanapur
130 JKM Jankampet Junction Jankampet
131 KQQ Kaukuntla Kaukuntla
132 AWM Aswapuram Aswapuram
133 GDPL Gundla Pochampally G Pochampalli
134 NPL Nagalapalli Nagalapalle
135 ATC Arts College Secunderabad
136 DQR Dabirpura Dabirpura
137 KZJE Kazipet E Cabin Kazipet E
138 KZJF Kazipet F Cabin Kazipet F
139 THPR Tippapur Tippapur
140 TMD Talmadla Talmadla
141 IKI Itikyala Itikyal
142 KONN Konnur Konnur
143 MOB Manoharabad Manoharabad
144 MLMG Mallemadugu Mallemadugu
145 MIDP Mamidipalli
146 ME Masaipet Masaipet
147 NSVP NPA Shivram Pally Npa Shivarampally
148 GDRA Gangadhara
149 GLY Gollapalli Gollapally
150 NVC Nagalwancha Nagalwancha
151 CLE Chintalpalli Chintalpalli
152 VAR Vidya Nagar Vidyanagar
153 MRF Marpalli Marpalli
154 YKA Yakutpura Yakutpura Kcg
155 AJK Ajjakolu Ajakollu
156 DTP Divitipalli Diviti Palli
157 TLMG Talmadugu Talmadugu
158 INK Intakanne Intakanne
159 KTKA Kotakadra Kotakadra
160 GLE Gajulagudem Gajulaguden
161 TNGM Tondalagopavaram Tondalagopavaram
162 MQN Manyamkonda Manyamkonda
163 HPG Huppuguda Huppuguda
164 YDP Yedapalli Yedapalli
165 MDAK Medak Medak
166 MOA Manopad Manopad
167 JOO Jamai Osmania Hyderabad
168 DHP Dichpalli Dichpalli
169 RJAP Rajapur Rajapur
170 MVH Mantatti Mantatti
171 TPPI Tipparthi Tipparthi
172 SNPH Shankapur Halt Shankapur
173 RMY Rukmapur Rukmapur
174 DKUR Dokur Dokur
175 DKC Devarkadra Junction Devarkadre
176 JKAR Jaklair
177 KQD Khairatabad Khairatabad Dcn
178 PDNA Peddadinne Peddadinne
179 PDO Poodoor Puduru
180 KPHI Kothapalli
181 AMQ Ammuguda Secunderabad
182 FKB Fakhrabad Fakhrabad
183 HFZ Hafizpet Hyderabad
184 BKU Bhiknur Bhiknur
185 SMAP Shamnapur Medak
186 LSMP Lakshmapur Medak
187 STDB Sitafalmandi B Cabin Sitafalmandi B
188 MTMI Motumari Junction Motimari
189 DRR Dharur Dharur
190 GDQ Godamgura Godamgura
191 MTV Matalkunta Matalkunta
192 RPK Ravulapalli Kalan Ravalpalli Kala
193 MWY Mailaram Mailaram
194 RRGA Ranga Reddy Guda Rangareddy Guda
195 SRMR Shrirampuram Shrirampuram
196 YADD Yadadri Raigir
197 GGD Gullaguda Gullaguda
198 JNPD Janpahad Janpahad
199 WP Wangapalli Wangapalli
200 TAA Tadla Pusapalli Tadla Pusapalli
201 UPW Uppalavai Uppalavai
202 UMM Umram Umram
203 PJPR Priyadarshini Jurala Project Road
204 PASR Panduranga Swamy Road
205 BRGL Burgula Burgula
206 IDL Indalvai Indalvai
207 YGL Yelgur Yelgur
208 RKO Ramakistapuram Gate Rmkrshnaprmgte
209 KXI Kurumurthi Kurumurthi
210 BMPL Brahmanapalli Brahmanpalli
211 BOZ Bolarum Bazar Secunderabad
212 ALW Alwal Secunderabad

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St Joseph’s Cathedral

St Joseph’s Cathedral is situated in the municipal town of Adilabad, Telanaga State, India is a world-famous church. Noted as the best cathedral church in the entire state, St. Joseph Church is visited by many locals and foreign tourists as well.

St Joseph’s church is also a very popular tourist destination and people of all religions throng to the church especially on Sundays during the time of Mass. Inside the church prevails a peaceful and meditative atmosphere that makes you feel truly at one with God. A lot many people have confessed to feeling divine intervention to their problems when they come to pray at the church. Outside the church are sprawling green gardens that add an ethereal quality to the atmosphere in the church. You can find many people sitting in the lawns and meditating or reading the Bible. Many tourists also like to spend some quality time at the church despite their hectic schedule because of the tranquility that prevails in the church.

https://www.nativeplanet.com/adilabad/attractions/st-joseph-s-cathedral/#overview

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Yamanapalli or Vemanpalli Dinosaur Fossil

Yamanapalli Dinosaur Fossil of Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis, 16-foot-high (over 5 metres in height) and 14 metres in length from Jurassic age, dating back to about 160 million years was found during an excavation by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in Yamanapalli region of Mancherial District, Telangana State, India.

Fossils of dinosaur bone fragments, tortoise and animal foot prints also found at this site in Yamanapalli, also known as Vemanapalli, is located in Godavari Pranhita valley of Mancherial district in Telangana. 

The fossils have been found in an eight-km radius of Pranhita river valley.

A composite skeleton of a dinosaur – Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis Yadagiri (named after Yamanapalli village and scientist Yadagiri) – was installed at the Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad. An articulated skeleton of a Rhynchosaur with the skull and other bone elements that was discovered in the Triassic rocks of the P-G Valley was also put up at the museum

Negligent Telangana government has no plans for a fossil park
While a fossil eco-park is being developed with fossils of trees, fish, leaves and animals from the Permian, Triassic and Jurassic ages in Sironcha, Maharashtra, Telangana state forest department has neglected the Kataram-Mahadevpur-Yamanapalli site despite a number of fossils found in the Pranahita-Godavari valley of the same area. Scientists from the Geological Survey of India had earlier excavated fossils of dinosaurs and other animals and plants, and had placed them in their museum at GSI Southern Region headquarters at Bandlaguda, and another dinosaur fossil at the Birla Science Centre, both in Hyderabad.

Despite the Pranahita Godavari Valley having a huge potential, no further excavation work has been taken. A composite skeleton of a dinosaur – Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis Yadagiri (named after Yamanapalli village and scientist Yadagiri) – was installed at the Birla Science Centre, Hyderabad. An articulated skeleton of a Rhynchosaur with the skull and other bone elements that was discovered in the Triassic rocks of the P-G Valley was also put up at the museum.

According to scientists, apart from dinosaurs, fossils of other reptiles, fish and micromammals were available at the site. “Plant fossils and charaphytes are also known to be found from the Kota Formation. Fieldwork was carried out in Jakkepalli, Lingala and Metpalli areas of Adilabad,” said a scientist. The fossil of a dinosaur – Barapasaurus tagorii – has been discovered by scientists of ISI, Kolkata, from the site near Sironcha on the eastern side of the Pranahita.

Paleo park
Fossils were exposed due to floods in the recent past. The tree fossils were of coniferous species going by the outer layer of the bark. “The tree fossils are darkening/blackening, possibly due to some fungal or biotic attack or exposure to the elements. The dinosaurs eggs were found in the area and partially buried in loose sand and mud, suggesting that they were washed up. The flooding that exposed the fossils is the likely reason why the dinosaur eggs had washed away from their paleo nests. Further investigations with expert digging would provide a wealth of information regarding the paleobotany and paleozoology. A portion of the area should be turned into a paleo park where the finds can be displayed to the people.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/281016/negligent-telangana-has-no-plans-for-a-fossil-park.html

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NH353B

National Highway 353B, or NH-353B is a national highway in India.  It is a spur road of National Highway 53. It traverses the states of Maharashtra and Telangana in India.

Length : 141 km (88 mi)

Maharashtra :Ashti, Gondpimpri, Rajura, Bamawada, Gadchandur, Vansadi, Korpana - Telangana border.

Telangana : Maharashtra border - Bela, Jainad, Adilabad.

Jainath Temple

 

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Gandhari Khilla or Fort and Maisamma jatara

Gandhari Khilla or Fort is located in Gandhari khilla is a hill fort located near Bokkalagutta, in Mandamarri Mandal in Mancherial district, Telangana State, India is a geological wonder to see: its sky-looking rock formations, deep gorges and narrow valleys inside the hillocks make the visitor filled with the thrilling feeling of deep sigh. The visitor will be greeted by a small stream of water running through the hills and hill-bounded Medi Cheruvu (tank).

There are three main entrances to the fort, which are carved out of stone. The fort contains idols of Kala Bhairava Swamy, Lord Siva, Lord Ganesh and Hanuman. The way to the fort atop the hill was built in such a way that horses and elephants can trek the hill. There’s an eight-foot tall Naga Seshu idol carved out of a single rock. The fort’s magnificent architecture, defensive constructions, bathing tanks and sculpture leaves visitors spellbound

There are three wells, which never dries up even during severe summer. There is also another well named as ‘Yenugula Bavi’ (Elephants Well). The well is designed in such a way that elephants and horses can quench thirst by reaching the well through steps. 

Gandhari Maisamma Jatra is a three days long festival, done in the temple on the fort of Gandhari for every 2 years on the third day of full moon day of Hindu month Magha (January/February). 

Naikpod tribals living on the banks of the river Godavari celebrate an annual fair on the eve of Magha Pournami (February) at the unique rock-cut fort of Gandhari. Artistes of Naikpod community perform a dance show using representation of their deity Laxmi Devara during cultural programmes held to mark Maisamma Jatara on the outskirts of Bokkalagutta village in Mandamarri mandal.

Tribals from various districts including Gonds, Naikpod, Koyas, Mannes and devotees from neighbouring states i.e maharashtra, Chhattisgarh on the other bankside flock the Jatara. The jatara was suspended in 1998 due to a murder incident that took place during the celebrations.

The unique rock cut fort of Gandhari is originally an abode of history, epigraphy, architecture and culture and subsequently became a center for the Jatara in which tribals and non-tribals also take part. It has future scope of developing it into a historical, adventurous and tribal tourist site with the potential of boating in Pulimadugu pond and Medi Cheruvu Tank nearby. The State Government is supporting the Jatara with a financial aid for the past half decade.

The aboriginal tribals had darshan of the deity as they waited for serpentine queue lines since early morning. Artistes of this community presented traditional dance forms Thappetagullu and Pillanagovi, and many other art forms. They also showcased oral art forms on Saturday, enthralling audiences.

On the second day night, the elders of Rodda clan and priests revered Maisamma by performing Pedda Puja, the main event of the affair. They purified the deity and performed traditional rituals at the idol of the deity situated atop of the hillock. They drew Patnam, a unique drawing pattern to appease the Goddess.

The tribals camped under the trees and woods. They dined and celebrated along with family members and friends. They swarmed an ancient picturesque tank near the fort for taking photos. They gathered herbal plants found on the top of the hillock and at foothills for curing certain diseases. They arrived at the holy place, using different means of transit including trolleys, lorries, vans, auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers.

Devotees playing ‘kolatam’ during the cultural programmes at Gandhari Maisamma Jatara on the outskirts of Bokkalagutta village on Sunday.

The Forgotten City
Remnants of a series of steps, ponds, potsherds, etc. lie inside the Pattanam. Almost opposite to the Pattanam one has to climb a rock cliff to see rock cut wells (3) called Savatula Baavulu. Their finest finishing leaves us with wondered face. There we find Padmanayaka traditional sculptures
of Ganapati, Shivalinga, etc. which are in mutilated state now.

If we cross the Pattanam and move further we come across a deep rock cut well with steps and arrangements showing that once the Enugula Baavi (Elephant Well) served the purpose of drinking water for the people living inside the fort, with the help of Elephant-drawn-Mota (huge water lifting container). Or, the well might have been segregated for elephants. A stream coming from higher altitudes stores water in this pond-size well and flows across it running through a gorge between two hillocks.

In about a furlong distance from Enugula Baavi we find a series of caves in a hillock towards our left side. One cave by name Gonthemma Pokkalu has two sections with pre-historic petroglyphs belonging to Mesolithic and Megalithic ages. The petroglyph motifs contain hundreds of pairs of feet, bullocks, horses, nets, oblong map (Patnam in the words of Naikpods), etc.

Temples
There are two rock-cut cells / temples which must have served as shelters to Buddhist Chaityas earlier. However, Bhairava sculpture was subsequently hewn beside the cells during the reign of Padmanayakas.

Almost opposite to these cells there was another huge cell hewn into hard rock and a line drawing was chiseled probably to depict Buddha. On 3.3.2005 a news appeared that some thieves unearthed a panchaloha idol of Buddha here and were arrested. It signifies the presence of Buddhism here.

After crossing the stream we come across a series of 3 rock-cut entrances flanked by sculptures of Bhairava and Hanuman which stand as testimony to the traditional practice of Padmanayaka rulers during 14 th and 15 th centuries. The first entrance has an awful sculpture of Mondi Bhairava. En-route to other entrances one will come across an elephant sculpture with a man hanging in its trunk. The
fourth and main entrance is the most wonderful gate cut into a connecting hillock.

Its left door jamb has a sculpture called Maisamma by the devotees. Naikpod tribals worship this deity as the chief goddess and conduct traditional pujas in front of the deity by temporarily drawing her figure in rangoli colours.

Then, one has to move up left to climb a series of rock cut steps to reach its pinnacle called Nagaara Gundu – stone of drum – wherefrom, it is said, royal attendants used to beat huge royal drums to keep people alert of hours and threats of outside foes during medieval times.
The Deities

The straightway from the Maisamma Darwaja will lead us to, to our left, a series of rock cut caves wherein seers are said to have observed penance once upon a time.

The caves are followed by two structural temples that appear to have been built during 12 th to 14 th century. The carvings of the temples are attractive enough to draw the attention of the enthusiasts.

These temples are followed by the chief temple of the fort – Naga Sheshuni Gudi. Its door jambs have been decorated with Dwarapalas and Jaalis in the Antarala in an appreciable style. The 7 hooded Naga sculpture is sculpted as holding Shivalinga in its folds. The huge sculpture is one of the finest sculptures of Telangana. The temple is pinnacled by a superstructure, the shikhara.

History

As part of visiting the Jatara the visitors get amused to see the wonderful architecture of the rock fort called Gandhari Khilla. 

The history of the Khilla is shrouded in many mythical accounts. The post Satavahana kings – Kandaras –ruled from Kandarapura. Even the Pallava king Anandavarma is said to have ruled from the same Kandarapura. K. Gopalachari, a well known historian, wrote that even the celebrated kings Kakatiyas migrated from Kandarapura. The post Kakatiya feudatories of Padmanayaka kings undertook several constructions in the fort which can be seen till date. However, the Naikpods believe that Gandhari is Peddamma to their Lord Bheemanna, the second of Pandava brothers. They worship the goddess Peddamma.

The Gandhari Fort is believed to have been built by Tribal kings who ruled over this region with the assistance of Kakatiya rulers in c.1200 AD. It houses the ancient temple of Maisamma. Similarly, it has idols of Kala Bhairava Swamy, Lord Siva, Lord Ganesh and Hanuman, idols carved out on rocks and an eight-foot 10-headed Naga Seshu idol carved on a single rock. The fort, which has Gandhari Maisamma temple, was built within a dense forest, which has a rich flora and fauna including many medicinal herbs.

The name of the tank Medi cheruvu and several inscriptions of 12 th century A.D. found in north Telangana prompt historians to say that the Medi Cheruvu and the nearby village Medaram were constructed by Medaraja, a local king, in his name. An archaeological wonder here is the rock cut canal. It runs for a furlong distance from Medi Cheruvu to Jeedikota valley. There is a heap of iron slag, wastage of iron industry, with the help of which the rock fort, cave temples, sculptures and canals were created here.

An inscription from 1403 AD carved on a huge rock in the precincts of Gandhari Fort in Mancherial district deciphered by a Hyderabad-based-historian has unlocked decades long mystery as to who was ruler from the only rock-cut fort in Telangana. It also shows how some traditions continue for centuries and has unveiled how Vaishnavism was propagated in this area once, which is now famous for the Gandhari maisamma jatara. The photograph of the inscription was clicked by state department of Archaeology two decades ago but was not deciphered until now.

1403 AD : Peddiraju Anantaraju, who was a vassal during reign of king Anapota-II 

A Telugu inscription of 1403 A.D. is engraved on its right side. Its decipherment reveals that one feudatory (of Padmanayaka Kings) Sri Peddiraju Ananataraju presented the sculpture of Hanumanta along with Thirunamas to Lord Raghunayakulu. 

As far as the memory of the locality is concerned the local Naikpod tribals have been holding their traditional worships here periodically. Several of the Naikpods living in this locality bear the surname Peddi(raju) and Sri Peddulu is still the chief priest of the Gandhari Jatara. These inferences lead us to surmise that the local Nakpod tribals must be the descendants of the chieftain Peddiraju who
might have also constructed the temple of Raghunayakulu, opposite to the sculpture of Lord Hanuman and the epigraph.

Ranam Kudupu

During the Gandhari maisamma jatara tradition, known as “ranam kudupu” is still followed which dates back to the rule of Anapota-II. The tradition was a religious ritual practiced during a battle which included conducting sacrifice of animals, which is conducted even now in the jatara.

1824 AD - 1897 AD : Sardeshmukhs of Mutyampalli

1824 A.D. copper plate inscription reveals that Sardeshmukhs of Mutyampalli issued the Sannad to Sri Kova Baburao and Sri Kova Somuju conferring the post of Mokasi to collect taxes from the Gonds of Gandharla taluq and pay to the Sardeshmukhs.

The contents of the inscription revealed that it was originally issued by Venkata Mutyam Rao, Venkata Jagannatha Rao and Venkata Rama Rao (Sardeshmukhs of Mutyampalli) to Kova Baburao and Kova Somuju (ancestors of Kova Babu Rao and Kova Doulath Rao) in 1824 to collect taxes from the Gonds of Gandhari Taluq. But, the recipients were said to have lost the inscription. Upon their request, they were reissued it in 1871. It was revaluated again in 1897 in Urdu language.

https://telanganatoday.com/gandhari-a-unique-rockfort-of-telangana

Dr. Dyavanapalli Satyanarayana
https://www.thehansindia.com/hans/education-careers/focusing-on-innovation-in-healthcare-868895?infinitescroll=1
https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2017-02-10/Gandhari-Maisamma-Jatara-from-today/279664#google_vignette
https://telanganatoday.com/gandhari-maisamma-jatara-ends-on-a-colorful-note-in-mancherial

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Adilabad District

Adilabad district is a district located in the northern region of Telangana, India. It is known as the gateway district to South and Central India. The district derives its name from Adilabad, its headquarters town which was named after the ruler of Bijapur, Ali Adil Shah. Historically, Adilabad was known as Edlabad during the rule of Qutub Shahis. It is located about 304 kilometres (189 mi) north of the state capital, Hyderabad, 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Nizamabad and 196 kilometres (122 mi) from Nagpur. 

Originally this was not full fledged district but a sub-district named Sirpur-Tandur which was created in A.D. 1872 with Edlabad (Adilabad), Rajura and Sirpur as its constituent talukas . In 1905, an independent district with headquarters at Adilabad was formed. 

Due to the district’s reorganization in October 2016, Adilabad was divided into four districts: Adilabad, KumramBheem Asifabad district, Mancherial district, and Nirmal district.

Headquarters: Adilabad

Nick Name : White Gold City

Languages: Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, and Lambadi, gondi 

Area: 4,153 sq km 

Population: 7,08,972 which accounts for 3.13% of the total population of the State. 

Literacy Rate: 63.46% 

Block or Mandals: 18 

Villages: 508 

Revenue Divisions : Adilabad and Utnoor

Municipality: 1

One District One Product (ODOP) :  Soya based products- Soya milk, Soya tofu, Soya curd

Rivers : Penganga

Economy : Agriculture, minerals, forests, exports

Minerals : laterite, black granite, coal, manganese, limestone, quartz, clay and road metal.

Geography

Adilabad is 2nd largest district in Telangana region, the first being Mahaboobnagar district.

The city is situated on a well-forested plateau some 2,000 feet (600 metres) high between the Godavari (south) and Penganga (north) rivers. It is an agricultural trade centre, connected with Hyderabad and with Nagpur in Maharashtra state to the north by a national highway. 

The Geo Coordinates of the district are Latitude: 19° 40′ 12.00″ N, Longitude: 78° 31′ 48.00″ E. It is bordered to the north by the Yavatmal district, to the northeast by the Chandrapur district, to the east by the Asifabad district, to the southeast by the Mancherial district, to the south by the Nirmal district, and to the west by the Nanded district of the Maharashtra state.

Economy

Main source of economy in Adilabad is agriculture. Agriculture, minerals, forests, exports - all these join together to make the economy of Adilabad.  Adilabad is coming up at a fast pace economically. However, the district as such is among India's 250 most backward ones and is receiving funds from Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Crops produced are jowar, paddy, cotton, wheat, maize, chillies, sugarcane, soya. However, horticulture assumes an important place as it gives supplementary source of income to farmers here. They grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, medicinal plants etc. Mulberry cultivation is also carried out in this region. Cotton cultivation tops the list, though. This is why Adilabad is also known as 'city of cotton'.

Another crop grown in Adilabad is ground nut. Oil is extracted from groundnuts and sold commercially. Agarbatti manufacturing units, wood based industries (furniture making, for instance), leather tanning industries, bakery products and bone mills for exporting various products, Ready made garments (in Adilabad and Mancherial area) and agrobased units like vermiceilli, dal mills, banana chips, fish feeds also contribute to the economy of Adilabad.

Teak and ebony are commercially lumbered in the region.  Agriculture and mining are significant in the regional economy. Rice, sorghum, and wheat rank among the major crops, coal, talc, and limestone are mined. 

Adilabad is famous for its rich cultivation of cotton. Hence, Adilabad is also referred as "White Gold City" is a great place for nature lovers and for history buffs because it is home to thick forests, cascading waterfalls, a diverse population of fauna and also boasts of a long dynastic past.

Food Crops in Adilabad

The soil in this region is black cotton soil which aids the cultivation of food crops as well as non food crops. Cotton is grown in abundance and sold in Maharashtra and other neighbouring states. Other crops grown here include maize, jowar and pulses. Sunflower, soya bean, green gram and black gram are also grown here.

Tourism 

Rural Tourism, Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism

Adilabad Harithavanam - Mavala Ecological Park

Situated In Mavala Reserved Forest adjoining Adilabad Town along NH-44 spreading in an area of 1000 Acres. Special Attractions : Kids Play Zone, Party Zone, Relaxation AND Rejuvenation Zone, Nature Education Zone, Conservation Zone, Adventure Zone: sky cycling, zipping and rope course, Boating, Nature Walk, Jungle Safari, Bird Watching, Watch Tower, Canopy Walk, Cafeteria, Jungle Shop, Picnic Zone, Pay Homage to Forest Matyrs

Kuntala Waterfalls located near Kuntala Khurd village, Neradigonda mandal

Kuntala Waterfalls is the highest waterfalls in the State with a height of 150 meters offers a spectacular sight particularly when the river is flush with copious inflows. The winter months are ideal for witnessing the waterfalls, as one can also see the river in all its glory. There is an image of Lord Shiva near the water falls known as Someshwara Swami.

Adilabad Khandala Hill Station and Waterfalls

For nature lovers who find Adilabad’s famous waterfalls a little too crowded, the quiet Khandala-Lohara valley encompassing pristine vegetation could serve as a perfect getaway. Located about 25 km from Adilabad district headquarters, it encompasses four little known waterfalls in addition to some vantage points which give a view of the picturesque valley.

Kanaki Waterfalls  located near a small village called Girnoor of the Bazarhatnoor Mandal

Utnoor or Utnur Fort

Pochera Wateralls located near Pochera Village, Boath Mandal, Adilabad District 

Gayatri Waterfalls a less known water body is situated on Kadam River away from the human eye, waterfalls found its habitat in a remote place inside a deep tropical forest. It is approximately 5 km from Tarnam Khurd village, near Neredigonda Mandal of Adilabad district

Cultural Tourism and Heritage Tourism 

Adilabad, a treasure trove of tribal culture The district has enormous potential for culture tourism thanks to its nearly 3.5 lakh adivasi population who continue to latch on to its glorious traditions. The major tribal groups in the area are the Adivasis: Gonds, Kolams, Pardhans, and Thotis.

Bheemalpen Festival

Kamdev Jatara

Keslapur Nagoba Jatara

Dandari-Ghusadi Festival

Religious Tourism

Nagoba Temple

Jainath Temple

St Joseph's Cathedral

Shopping Tourism

Dokra or Dokhra Metal Craft

Music

Kingri also known as Khikri, is a unique string instrument as its three strings and the bowstring are made of horse hair. The younger generation of Pardhan Adivasis, who function as bards of the Gonds preserving their myths and stories through singing, are moving away from tradition

Transportation

NH44 National Highway 44 (NH 44), (previously National Highway 7), is the longest-running major north–south National Highway in India. It starts from Srinagar and terminates in Kanyakumari; the highway passes through the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

NH-44 starts in Telangana on Krishna River Tribuary Tungabhadra River which is a border with Andhrapradesh, crosses Krishna River, Godavari river and ends in Telangana at Godavari Tributary Penganga River which is a border with Maharashtra.

National Highway 353B, or NH-353B is a national highway in India.It is a spur road of National Highway 53. It traverses the states of Maharashtra and Telangana in India.

South Central Railway zone
Adilabad railway station (station code: ADB) is located at Adilabad town of Adilabad district, in the Indian state of Telangana. It is under the administration of Nanded railway division of South Central Railway zone.

Proposal

Sep 8, 2023 : Patancheruvu (Nagalapalli) to Adilabad New Railway Line FLS Sanctioned at  ₹5,706 crore, 317 km line is likely to connect several important towns like Nirmal, Armoor, Bodhan, Banswada, Sangareddy etc. along the new railway line.

Rivers

The important river that flow through the district is Penganga and its tributaries Sathnala river (Mathadi vagu, Metta vagu), Gomutri vagu, Jella vagu, Nallantiya vagu, Khagdur vagu.

Painganga or Penganga

Origin : Ajantha ranges in Aurangabad district in Maharashtra

Outflow : Penganga converges into Wardha River near a small village called Wadha in Chandrapur taluka of Chandrapur district. Wardha River flows into Pranhita River which is part of Godavari river basin

Acts as a border between Maharashtra and Adilabad district in Telangana.

Telangana Start : Guledi, Tamsi Mandal, Adilabad district
Telangana End : Mangrool, Bela Mandal, Adilabad district 

Pengana tributaries in Telangana

1. Gomutri Vagu joins  Penganga River near Gomutri, Tamsi Mandal, Adilabad district, Telangana State, India
2. Jella Vagu joins Penganga River near Wadoor, Bheempur Mandal, Adilabad district, Telangana State, India
3. Satnala or Sathnala River joins Penganga River near Pendalwada village, Jainad Mandal in Adilabad District, Adilabad district, Telangana State, India
1. Mathadi Vagu joins Satnala River near Chanda-T village, Aidilabad Rural Mandal
2. Metta Vagu joins Sathnala River, near LindaSangvi Village, Adilabad Mandal
4. Nallantiya Vagu joins Penganga River near Kura Village in Jainad Mandal in Adilabad District of Telangana State
5. Khuni River joins Penganga on Maharashtra side near Kowtha Village in Mudhole Mandal in Adilabad District
6. Khagdur Vagu joins Penganga River near Khagdur and Mangrool village, Bela Mandal, Adilabad district.

Major Irrigation Projects

Lower Penganga Project is an Interstate Project between the states of Maharashtra and Telangana State on Penganga River, which is a tributary of river Godavari. An understanding was reached between the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh (Telangana State) on 6th October 1975 to take up Lower Penganga Project as an Inter State joint Project.

The head works are located near Tadsaoli Village in Ghatanji taluk of Yavathmal District in Maharashtra State. It is proposed to utilize 37.55 TMC of water for Maharashtra and 5.12 TMC for Telangana State. The Link Canal which takes off at KM 11.910 from Left Bank Canal runs for a length of about 90Kms to create irrigation potential for about 19,232 Ha (47,520 Acres) in Tribal and backward areas in the 4 mandals, viz. Tamsi, Adilabad, Jainath and Bela covering 89 villages of Adilabad District.

Barrage 1 at Rajapet

Barrage 2 at Rudha Renamed to chanakhakorata barrage 

Barrage 3 at Pimpard

Chanaka Korata barrage 

The barrage is 23 gates is located in Penganga at Chanaka village in Jainath mandal and Korata in Maharashtra. The barrage will irrigate 13,500 acres (5,500 ha) and 51,000 houses in 81 villages in Adilabad district

March 18, 2016 : Maharashtra and Telangana will sign MoUs for construction of five barrages; three barrages on Penganga at Rajapet, Chanaka-Korata and Pinpahad and two barrages on Godavari one at Tummadi Hatti and another at Medigadda. All are inter-state barrages. Out of five barrages, Chanaka-Korata, Tummadi Hatti and Medigadda will be constructed by the Telangana state and the remaining two will be constructed by Maharashtra government.

Jan 13, 2023 : Chanaka-Korata barrage gets environmental clearance

Sep 30, 2023 : Chanaka-korata Irrigation Project Wet Run Successful. The project has a capacity to irrigate over 50,000 acres in Adilabad.

Medium Irrigation Projects

Mathadivagu project is a medium irrigation project proposed across Mathadivagu near Waddai(V),Thamsi (M),Adilabad District under G7 Penganga Sub-Basin. The project envisages to provide Ayacut in 12 villages of Thamsi, Adilabad and Jainath Mandals of Adilabad District.

The project feeds the ayacut of 8500Acres in Thamsi, Adilabad and Jainath of Adilabad District

Villages benifited: Waddadi, Jamidi, Khapparala, Sawergaon, Bandal Nagapur, Bheemsari, Jamdapur, Chanda(T), Bhoraj, Sirsanna, Mallapur, Goatkuri, Dhimma

Status : Operation & Maintenance in Progress.

2006 : Year of Approval. The project was approved by Planning Commission, Government of India vide letter No.20(1)/2006-WR dated 27.6.2006 for an estimated cost of Rs.50.40 cr at 2004-05 price level.

The main components of the project are as under.

(i) Formation of 2.20 km long Earth Bund, with maxiumum height of 17.0 meter
(ii) Construction of 63.25 m long Ogee Spillway and Left Flank Regulator,
(iii) Construction of 13 km long Left Main Canal with CD&CM structures including lining of canal upto 13 km

March 2011 : The project was brought under AIBP during 2006-07 and upto March 2011, irrigation potential of 2024 hectare (5001 acres) is created.

June 1 2013: In case of Mathadi Vagu project, the railway crossing is the only obstacle that had to be tackled as most of the work is complete.Under the project 6,900 acres of land are being irrigated and once the project is completed another 1,600 acres will be irrigated.

Satnala or Sathnala project is a completed medium Irrigation Project across Sathnala river a tributary to Penganga river in Godavari Basin. The scheme is situated near Kanpa (V), Jainath (M) of Adilabad District at a distance of 185 KM from Adilabad town and Railway Station. The project envisages providing Irrigation facility to an extent of 9716 Ha. (24000 Acres) in Khariff comprising I.D. Cotton benfiting 25 villages in the area Jainath, Bela (M), Adilabad mandals.

Status : Operation & Maintenance in Progress

Started : 1977 

1986 : Partially Completed and was launched by the then Chief Minister N T Rama Rao irrigating 5000 acres.

2009 : The State government in 2009 had released Rs 43 crore for the construction of the two canals under the project to be completed in 32 months.The left canal was to begin from Kura to Deepaiguda villages and the right canal was to pass through Balapur and Akurla villages. With their work remaining incomplete, the digging of 18 mini-canals is going on at a snail’s pace.
Mar 9, 2015 : Two canals—the right and the left—were proposed. They remain incomplete even to this day, resulting in supply of irrigation water only to 5,000 acres. 

2018 Proposals

Kupti Project

Construction of Kupti multipurpose project near Kupti village in Neredigonda mandal in Adilabad district at an estimated cost of Rs 870 crore for the SSR 2017-18 to store 5.30 tmc ft of water for supplementation of the Kadam Reservoir. After a detailed investigation, the location of Kupti near National Highway-44 has been proposed to construction of the multipurpose project for the storage of 5.32 tmc ft with full reservoir level of 394 metre.

Pippalkoti barrage

Construction of reservoir with a storage capacity of 1.42 tmc ft at a cost of Rs 369 crore at Pippalkoti 

Gomutri Vagu Project

Gomutri with a storage capacity of 0.7 tmc will be taken up at an estimated cost of `215 crore.

Mountains

The Nirmal or Mahbub ghat is highest peak in Sahyadri parvat or Satnala range in Adilabad district. It is 264 metres (866 feet) high.

Forest

Adilabad has largest area under forest, followed by Khammam. However, in terms of percentage area under forest, Khammam stands first with 48.9 percent of total geographical area under forests, followed by Adilabad with 44.9 percent and Warangal with 28.88 percent.

Dry deciduous forests are important source of forest fuel and timber. Beedi leaves, bamboo and teak are found in these forests.

Blocks : Satnala, Mavala, Yapalguda I, Yapalguda II, Malkapur, Harkai, Dedra, 

Sacred Groves

1. Adilabad Dankanapally Sacred Grove
2. Adilabad Jainath Sacred Grove
3. Adilabad Keslapur Sacred Grove
4. Adilabad Kunthala Waterfalls Sacred Grove
5. Adilabad Mahagoan Sacred Grove
6. Adilabad Narnoor Sacred Grove
7. Adilabad Pochara Falls Sacred Grove
8. Adilabad Sadalpur Sacred Grove
9. Adilabad Sirichelma Sacred Grove
10. Adilabad Tangri Madra Sacred Grove
11. Adilabad Yekantapur Sacred Grove

Climate and Rainfall
The climate of the district is characterized by hot summer and in generally dry except during the south-west monsoon season. The year may be divided into four seasons. The cold season from December to February is followed by the summer season from March to May. The period from june to september constitute the south west monsoon season, while October and November from the post monsoon season .

The rainfall in the district, in general increases from the south-west towards the north east. About 85% of annual rainfall is received during the south-west monsoon season. July being the peak rainy month. The variation in the Annual rainfall from year is not large. The normal Annual rainfall of the district is 1044.5mm .

There is a meterological obervatory, station at headquarters Adilabad. The cold weather commences towards the end of November when the temperature begins to fall rapidly. December is generally the coldest month, with the mean daily maximum temprature at about 29 C and the mininum daily is 15 C .

The relative humidities are high generally during the south-west monsoon season. The air is generally dry during the rest of the year, the district part of the year being the summer season when the humidity in the afternoon is 25% .

During the south-west monsoon season the sky is heavily clouded. There is rapid decrease of cloudings the post-monsoon season. In the rest year the sky is mostly clear of light clouded .

Winds are light to moderate with some strengthening in the period from May to August. During the post-monsoon and cold season, winds blow mostly from the east or north-east. By March, south westerlies and westerlies start blowing and continue during the rest of summer. The sought west monsoon season winds are mostly from directions between south-west and north west

Soil
Red and black soil are both found in Adilabad district though black soil predominates, accounting for almost 72% of the soil in the district. The mineral resources are mainly limestone and manganese ore .

District Composition
Area, Population and Other related characteristics

The district comprises an area of 4,153 square kilometres (1,603 sq mi).with a density of population of 170 persons per sq.km .There are 508 villages exist in Adilabad district.

As per 2011 census, the total population of the district is 7,08,972. It accounts for 2.01 percent of the total population of the state. The male population of the district is 3,56,407 and this forms 50.27% of the district and 2.02 percent of the state male population. Similarly the female population of the district is 3,52,565 and this form 49.73% of the district and 2.02 % of the state female population.

As per the latest 2011 census, the rural population of the district is 541226 which constitutes 76.34% of the district population and 2.52% to total of state rural population. Similarly the urban population of the district spread in 1 town is 1,67,746 constituting 23.66% of the district population at 1.23% of the state urban population.

As per 2011 census, the scheduled caste population of the district is 99,422 which is 14.02 % of the district population and 1.82% of the state scheduled caste population. Similarly the Scheduled Tribe population of the district is 2,24,622 which accounts for 31.68% of the district at 7.06% of the state scheduled tribe population.

The density of population of the district according to 2011 census is 170 persons per sq.km as against 312 persons per sq.km for the state. The literacy rate of the district is 63.46% as against 66.54% of the state literacy rate. The sex ratio of the district is 989 females per 1000 males as against 988 of the state

History

The district was for long not a homogenius unit and its component parts were ruled at different periods by nasties namely, the Mauryas, Staavahanas, Vakatakas, Chaludyasof Badami, Rashtrakututs, Chalukyas of Kalyani, Mughals, Bhosle Rajes of Nagpur and Asaf Jahis, besides the Gond Rajas of Sirpur and Chanda. 

Before the 10th century, this town was referred to as Edlawāḍa, i.e. 'Land of Oxen'. 

Later during the rule of Qutub Shahis it was referred to as Edlabad. 

Adilabad derives its name from the erstwhile ruler of Bijapur, Muhammad Yusuf Adil Shah

1158 AD - 1323 AD : Kakatiya Dynasty

c.1323 - 1750 AD : Sirpur Chanda Gond Dynasty

In 1872 it was part of Sirpur Tandur  sub district of Gond Rajas of  Sirpur and Chanda. 

In 1905 it was declared to be an independent district  of Nizam Hyderabad with a prominent headquarters

April 20, 1981 Indervelly or Indravelli massacre

In 2016, it was divided into four districts namely, Adilabad, Nirmal, Asifabad, Mancherial.

Mandals

Adilabad Revenue division

1. Adilabad (urban) 
2. Adilabad (rural) 
3. Mavala
4. Gudihatnoor
5. Bazarhatnoor 
6. Talamadugu
7. Tamsi 
8. Bela
9. Boath 
10. Jainad
11. Ichoda 
12. Neradigonda
13. Sirikonda 
14. Bheempur

Utnoor Revenue division

1. Indervelly
2. Narnoor
3. Gadiguda
4. Utnoor

Education

Average literacy rate of Adilabad city is 78.74 percent of which male and female literacy was 85.84 and 71.46 percent.

Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Adilabad

Sports

The youth in Adilabad is immensely talented. The tribal youth too has interest in various sports activities. However, more efforts are required from concerned departments to attract children and youth into sports.

Indira Priyadarshini Stadium

There is a swimming pool too in this stadium which is visited by all. Most of the children come for swimming during the vacations. It serves to rejuvenate them and also is a means of exercise. Monthly fees for this swimming pool is INR 400 for children and INR 500 for Adults. There is a swimming coach here and four life guards. The water in this swimming pool is regularly cleaned and chlorinated.
Swimming Pool Timings: 5.30 P.M. to 9.30 P.M.

Various sports events are held from time to time to encourage youth living in villages. For instance, Panchayat Yuva Kreeda aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) holds such events in Priyadarshini stadium in Adilabad and sports persons from Adilabad and neighbouring places participate. The event is meant for youth below 18 years of age. Once selected at the mandal level, they become eligible to participate at the district level competitions. Weight lifting, athletics, kabaddi and taekwondo events are held during this sports selection in both girls and boys categories.

Mini Stadium (Utnoor)

Sports Complex in Shanti Nagar, Adilabad has a swimming pool, indoor stadium and wooden badminton court.

The District Sports Development Officer
District Sports Authority,
Adilabad - 504 001
Phone: 08742225846
Fax: 08742225848
Mail: dsa.adb@rediffmail.com

Parliament and Assembly Constituencies :
The district shares Adilabad parliamentary constituency and has 2 Assembly Constituencies Adilabad
and Boath (ST) of 119 constituencies in Telangana State.

Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 17 Lok Sabha (Lower house of the Parliament) constituencies in the state of Telangana, India. This constituency is reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. Assembly Constituencies : Sirpur, Asifabad, Khanapur, Adilabad, Boath, Nirmal and Mudhole 

Helpline

• Control Room Collectorate : 1800-425-1939
• State Control Room : 1070
• Fire : 101
• Medical Help line : 102 /108
• Police: 100
• BSNL Helpline :1503/ 1800-180-1503

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/010418/telangana-government-gives-nod-for-reservoirs-in-kupti.html

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Telangana Flora and Sacred Groves

Sacred groves (SGs) are small groves that are specific places which are protected and conserved by the local communities as being the sacred residences of local deities and sites for religious and cultural rituals. They serve as valuable storehouses of biodiversity. They are part of biological heritages and systems that have helped to preserve the representative genetic resources existing for generations. Sacred groves are the important places in which biodiversity is preserved in mostly undisturbed condition because of certain taboos and religious beliefs. Sacred groves are ancient natural sanctuaries that have supported the growth of several interesting and rare species of flora and fauna of the past.

Sacred groves represent first major effort in conserving the biodiversity.

They are part of biological heritages and systems that have helped to preserve the representative genetic resources existing in the surrounding regions for the generation. Sacred groves were a feature of the mythological landscape and the cult practice.Altogether the taboos, self-imposed restrictions and extra care exhibited by the community have significantly contributed to preserving the groves intact and in good shape thereby conserving the whole range of biodiversity that is housed in it. The sacred groves offer manifold ecological benefits in the conservation of biodiversity. In fact, the sacred groves represent the first major effort in conserving the biodiversity. The sacred groves also provide an ideal surviving habitat to several species of endemic flora and fauna.

There are 65 sacred groves documented in Telangana but conservationists say the real figure is much larger and government should take up extensive documentation. In Kerala around 1,500 sacred groves have been documented.

1. Adilabad Dankanapally Sacred Grove
2. Adilabad Jainath Sacred Grove
3. Adilabad Keslapur Sacred Grove
4. Adilabad Kunthala Waterfalls Sacred Grove
5. Adilabad Mahagoan Sacred Grove
6. Adilabad Narnoor Sacred Grove
7. Adilabad Pochara Falls Sacred Grove
8. Adilabad Sadalpur Sacred Grove
9. Adilabad Sirichelma Sacred Grove
10. Adilabad Tangri Madra Sacred Grove
11. Adilabad Yekantapur Sacred Grove
12. Asifabad Ginnedhari Sacred Grove
13. Nirmal Basara Saraswati Temple Sacred Grove
14. Hyderabad
15. Babasharfuddin Pahad Sacred Grove miralam tank
16. Chiran Palace sacred Grove{Brahmananda Reddy National Park) 400 acres
17. Guruvayur Temple Sacred Grove, 3ha
18. Maulali Darga Sacred Grove
19. Nowbath Pahad Sacred Grove
20. O.U.Campus Sacred Grove – Nagadevata / Gyanalaxmi temple
21. Karimnagar
22. Kaleswaram Temple Sacred Grove
23. Konda Gattu Sacred Grove
24. Ramagiri Fort Srirama Temple Sacred Grove
25. Vemulawada Temple Sacred Grove
26. Khammam
27. Parnasala Sacred Grove
28. Nugur Fort
29. Sthambhadri, Khammam Fort Sacred Grove
30. Medak
31. AlIadurg Sacred Grove
32. Kumaravelli Sacred Grove Siddipet Mandal, temple of Mallikarjuna Swamy
33. Mallamma Temple Sacred Groves dubbak
34. YedupayaJa Sacred Grove - Durga Devi.
35. Nalgonda
36. Chandrumgutta(Arur) Sacred Grove
37. Ethipothala Sacred Grove nagarjunakonda
38. Narketpalli Sacred Grove - Ramalingeswara swami / Machiyagiri Laxminarayana swami
39. Yadagirigutta Sacred Grove - Narasimha Swamy
40. Nizamabad
41. Vellutla Sacred Grove
42. Rangareddy
43. Alwal temple area Sacred Grove
44. Ananthagiri area Sacred Grove
45. Chilukur Balaji temple area Sacred Grove 6ha
46. Keesaragutta bill area Sacred Grove Kusaiguda village
47. Kharmanghat Hanuman temple Sacred Grove osmania university
48. Maheswaram Sacred Grove
49. Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple Sacred Grove
50. Pahar-e-Sherief Sacred Grove
51. Parameswar Gutta area Sacred Grove – shiva
52. Sanghi temple complex Sacred Grove
53. Warangal
54. Kotilinga Kshetram Sacred Grove 11 acre Bollikunta village
55. Madikonda Sacred Grove Kazipet
56. Padmakshi Gutta Sacred Grove - 1 sq.km.- Padmaksharnrna
57. Mahabubnagar
58. Jellupenta
59. Kadalivanam
60. Koyalakonda area
61. Kurumurthi Konda
62. Maniyamkonda
63. Saileshwaram
64. Singavatnam
65. Umamaheswaram
66. Yettam

Adilabad Sacred Groves

Religious people Vidhyas/ Vejjus/ Pujaris/ Vaddegudus/ Gunyas etc. belonging to Kolams, Naikpods, Pardhans, Gonds, Thotis, Chenchus and Mathuras tribal communities of the district who are still practicing traditional medicine are identified, religious ceremonies were made to collect the information different ethnic group of people who use plants materials in different rituals, ceremonies, and any other religious purposes. The information on medicinal uses of the plants was also gathered from the local and tribal people residing in the interior areas of the district and the published literature. The data on the botanical names, family, vernacular names, religious virtues, parts used and medicinal uses along with active principle and status were also mentioned in the work.

Altogether 47 different plant species have been identified as sacred plants by different ethnic groups of Adilabad district. Though there is many more information about sacred plants but only some of the most commonly used plants having medicinal value are taken into consideration. During this project work, some important information has been unearthed. Fewsuch information are given here below.There is a long experienced traditional belief among the people that they have selected some plants which are edible or not edible during or after the religious works. According to Gautamiya Tantra during the religious works, a person should eat boiled sunned rice and ghee. The Agasthya Samhita opines that the following materials may be eaten during the religious works. These materials are Cocos nucifera, Musa sapientum, Mangifera indica, Phyllanthus emblica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Terminalia chebula, Oryza sativa, Vigna radiata, Sesamum indicum, Hordeum vulgare, Chenopodium album, Chorcorus capsularis, Raphanus sativa, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus aurantinum etc. Plants not edible before or during religious works: According to Yoginitantra, the following plants should not be taken before or during the religious works. The plants are Tamarindus indica (Teteli), Cajanus cajan (Urohi), Benincasa hispida, Cocos nucifera (Narikol) etc. The widows should not eat onion, all kinds of spices and chilly.

The study of sacred and religious plants may give an idea about the extent of concern shown by people of different eco-floristic regions about the conservation of plants. IT may be mentioned here that most of the sacred plants usually have great utility value. If every Mandir or Masjid committee, a committee will protect their sacred plant grown around these religious places automatically a gauge number of plant species will be conserved. Many sacred groves of India are the best examples of conservation of Biodiversity. Besides, the plants of the sacred groves or religious places have many plants of medicinal use. People have a belief that using the plants of the religious places can cure any kind of disease. This infusion of superstitious myths or beliefs and medicinal properties of plants plays a very significant role in their conservation and conservation of Biodiversity,The forest is now being maintained by forest management committee comprising of the local people. Maharishi Charak has said that there are no plant on the earth which does not have medicinal value, the same is the belief that if we use any plant for performing Puja the same will definitely have the dysentery.

Below is just provided for information purposes. Need to be taken only under doctor's advice. There were instances where people died with self treatment.

1. Uttareni Chettu - Apamarga - Chaff Flower - Achyranthes Aspera (Amaranthaceae) 
• The plant is offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh during the holy month of Badrapada masam
• Whole Tree : Fever, Tooth problem, Scorpion sting 
2. Maredu Chettu - Bilva - Bel or Bael (Stone Apple) - Aegle Marmelos (Rutaceae) 
• Shiva Pooja cannot be performed without its leaf (Bilwa)
• Leaves and Fruits : Diarrhoea, Dysenter and Skin Problems
3. Vepa Chettu - Aristha - Neem tree - Azadirachta Indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) 
• Twigs are used widely in the festival of Bonalu.
• Twigs and Leaves : Tooth Problems, Skin problems
4. Moduga Chettu - Palasa - Palash - Flame of the forest - Butea Monosperma (Papilionaceae)
• In Telangana, these flowers are specially used in the worship of Shiva on occasion of Shivaratri.
• Bark : Piles, Tumors and menstrual disorder, antiseptic and cooling, Fever
5. Erra Jilledu Mokka - Arka - Giant Milkweed or Crown Flower - Calotropis Gigantea (Asclepiadaceae)
high toxin plant, milk of its leaf is poisonous
• Leaves and flowers are used to worship lord Shiva and Ganesha
• Latex : Bone Fever
6. Hunjika Mokka or Bharangi - Bharngi - Tubeflower - Clerodendrum Indicum (L.) Kuntze (Indicum)
• Used for worshiping Fire
• Roots and Leaves : Asthma, Chest pain, Cough, Cholera, and Fever
7. Garika Gaddi - Durva - Bermuda Grass - Cynodon Dactylon Pers. Ln (Poaceae).
• Whole plant : Body Cooling and Diarrhea
8. Jeedi Chettu -  Kajutaka - Cashew - Anacardiaceae (L.)
• Used in death rituals
• Whole Plant : Cough and Fever
9. Marri Chettu - Vatavrksha - Banyan Tree - Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae)
• Used in Marriage ceremony
• Leaves and Roots : Hair Growth, Piles
10. Medi Chettu or Athi Chettu - Udumbara - Cluster Fig Tree - Ficus Glomerata Roxb. (Moraceae) or Ficus racemosa
• Stem Bark Fresh Fruits : Snakebite, Red discharge, Diarrhea
11. Ravi Chettu - Asvatta or Ashvattha or Ashwattha- Bodhi tree or Peepal tree - Ficus Religiosa L. (Moraceae) Ln.
• Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a tree of this species.
• Stem bark : Wounds, Sprains
12. Ficus Retusa L (Moraceae) 
13. Pedda Gumudu Teku or Peggumudu Chettu - Gambhari- Gmelina arborea Roxb. Ln. (Verbenaceae)
• Leaf : Cough and Cold
14. Yavalu - Yava - Barley - Hordeum vulgure L. (Poaceae)
15. Gorinta Chettu - Henna - Lawsonia inermis L (Lythraceae)
16. Ippa Chettu - madhu - Mahua - Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia (Roxb.)AChev (Sapotaceae)
• Stem bark - Body Pains, Dog bite
17. Maamidi Chettu - amram - Mango - Mangifera indica L (Anacardiaceae).
18. Tulasi  Chettu - Tulsi - Holy Basil - Ocimum sanctum L (Lamiaceae)
• Leaves - Coughs, Ringworm, Skin diseases and Earache
19. Kanuga or Kaanuga Chettu - Karanja - Pongam Oil Tree, Indian Beech - Pongamia glabra(L.) Pierre (Fabaceae) or Pongamia pinnata
• Leaves - Fever
20. Jammi Chettu - Sami or Shami - Sponge Tree - Prosopis cineraria(L.) Druce (Mimosaceae)
21. Baranika or Barrenka chettu - Sakotamu Chettu - Shakhotaka or Sihor - Siamee Rough Bush or Sandpaper tree - Streblus asper Lour. (Moraceae)
• Leaves, bark, root - Ulcers, Sinuses, Swellings and boils, fevers, diarrhea and dysentery
22. Madiphalam - Matulunga - Citron - Citrus medica L. (Rutaceae) 
23. Kobbari Chettu - Narikela - Coconut Tree - Cocos nucifera L. Ln. Narikol (Arecaceae)
24. Pasupu Mokka - Haridra - Turmeric - Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae).
25. Ummethu - Datura - Datura metel L. (Solanaceae)
• Poisnous
• Leaves, seeds : Leaves used in Asthama, epilepsy, seeds are used in leprosy and dog bite.

Uttareni - Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae) 

Common Names:  chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, devil's horsewhip, Sanskrit: apāmārga

Uttareni plant grows as a common weed or wild in India and also considered sacred. The plant is offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh during the holy month of Badrapada masam
Whole plant : Fever, Tooth problem, Scorpion sting.

• Leaves possesses valuable medicinal properties and used in treatment of cough, bronchitis and rheumatism, malarial fever, dysentery, asthma, hypertension and diabetes in Indian folklore.
• Its roots and stems are cleaned and used as tooth brushes. It will clear all mouth problems

Flowering and Fruiting time : September to April

Maredu Chettu - Aegle marmelos (Rutaceae)

Common Name : Bel Patra Bilva Plant, bela, bili, bilva, belo, maredu, vilwam, sriphal, golden apple, indian quince and Bengal quince or stone apple in English, Sanskrit : Adhararutha

Bael tree is considered a sacred tree. Often, it is grown near temple of the Lord shiva in india. Its leaves are offered in prayers. Shiva Pooja cannot be performed without its leaf (Bilwa)

Leaves and Fruits : Diarrhoea, Dysentery and Skin Problems

Leaves should be soaked in water overnight and in the morning strain it and use it as beverage every day. Not only peptic ulcer it relieves dyspepsia, sinusitis, cold, gastritis and indigestion.

Bael Patra is full of nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B1 and B6 along with calcium and fibre. Many don't know, but these leaves are said to be beneficial for several health issues and this is why you must have Bael Patra daily. When you consume it daily, it can help provide relief in stomach-related problems, improve heart health and liver. Health experts also recommend consuming this leaf in the daily diet. Though, this leaf can be consumed any time of the day, but experts agree that when you consume it on an empty stomach, it provides countless benefits. This happens as the body absorbs its nutrients easily. 

Boosts immunity, Get rid of stomach problems, Improves heart health, Keeps blood sugar level under control, Provides coolness to the body

You can take Bael Patra in the form of a decoction in the morning on an empty stomach. For this, boil the Bael Patra in water and then filter it and drink it.
Bael Patra can also be eaten directly by chewing. You can also get many benefits from this.
Bael Patra can also be taken by mixing it with honey. Taking honey and Bael Patra together strengthens the body's immunity.

     

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