Mylaram caves cry for attention

The caves, which have stalagmite and stalactites formations, can be developed as a major tourist attraction.

 

Jayashankar Bhupalpally: Despite having great potential to become a major tourist attraction, the Mylaram caves in the district are crying for attention of the Tourism Department authorities. Neither tourism nor the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) has taken steps for the promotion of the caves which are located about 18 km from the historical Ramappa temple and 55 km away from Warangal city.

The caves, which came to limelight about four years ago, have stalagmite and stalactites formations similar to that of Belum and Borra caves of Andhra Pradesh. Though the eco-tourism wing of the district forest department is promoting the Pandava caves as the tourist centre, it seems it is not bothered to take measures to promote this site which has at least 10 caves. The height of these caves ranges from 5 feet to 100 feet. Since they are situated inside the Nallaguttlalu (hillocks) on the outskirts of the Mylaram village in (Mulugu) Ganapuram mandal, one has to climb and enter the caves through a very narrow passage and climb down at least 20 feet to reach the surface of the cave.

 

Inside the caves, there are many stalagmite and stalactites formations which resemble various living and non-living creatures.

“A stalagmite formation, which looks like a Shiva Linga, similar to the one at Amarnath, is the major attraction at the caves, while several other formations like an old man, a huge tree, dolphins and folded saree pleats also attract the visitors,” said Aravind Ayra Pakide, an archaeology and history enthusiast who captured wonderful pictures of the caves.

Another major attraction of the caves is the rock arch or natural arch, which is said to be bigger than that of Tirumala hills.

It may be added here that authorities including TSTDC former MD Christina Z. Chongthu and Commissioner of Tourism Sunita M Bhagwat also visited the place. Former chairman of the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) Pervaram Ramulu even announced that they would allot funds for the development of the caves. But nothing has materialized so far.

S Ravinder, a local resident, said that these caves should be recognised as tourist place. “Since there are several popular tourist places such as Pandavula Gutta, the historical Ganapuram group of temples and Ramappa temple are located near to the Mylaravam caves, these caves can be developed into a major tourist spot,” he opined.

Pan-India plan for Medaram jatara

State govt set to promote tribal festival across the country to attract larger crowds.

 

Hyderabad: The State government is all set to launch a brand campaign and promote the tribal festival of Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara across the country to attract larger crowds. Besides making another attempt at requesting the Centre to recognise it as a national tribal festival, the State government decided to invite prominent persons and leaders from tribal communities in the country to witness the festivities.

Reviewing the arrangements at Sakshema Bhavan on Monday, Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod said the State government was trying to create a brand image for Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara festivities which had already earned the reputation of being the largest congregation of tribals in Asia. The three-day celebrations will be conducted from February 5 to 7 next year at Medaram on a grand scale.

“We are anticipating a crowd of at least 1.5 crore devotees to attend the festival within three days in February. Many devotees will commence visiting the sacred venue at least a month before the celebrations begin. Hence, all arrangements must be completed before December end under any circumstance,” the Minister said.

Besides making necessary arrangements for transport, the officials were directed to complete road laying and repair works, arrange for adequate parking, and also basic amenities including drinking water and toilets at the venue.

The forest department officials were asked to coordinate with various departments and ensure that tribal devotees do not face any difficulty during their pilgrimage to Medaram. While the officials were asked to take stringent measures including conducting awareness programmes to prevent plastic usage at the venue, the Tourism department authorities will publicise the tourism spots in erstwhile Warangal district.

Satyavathi Rathod stated that despite budgetory constraints, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao sanctioned Rs 75 crore for the Jatara arrangements keeping in view the sentiments of tribals with regard to Goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka. However, no permanent structures will be constructed during the current budget year due to shortage of funds, she said.

Principal Secretary for Tribal Welfare Benhur Mahesh Dutt Ekka, commissioner Christina Z Chongthu, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R Sobha, Mulugu district collector Narayana Reddy and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Gushing waters amid lush greenery

The soothing-yet-scary sound of water falling from a great height is just one of the many attractions that beckon tourists to Gayatri Waterfalls in Adilabad district.

 

Did you miss the spectacular sight of water gushing from unbelievable heights into the valleys this monsoon? Then, drive down to Gayatri Waterfalls in Adilabad district which is a great place to sneak out to with your gang. Most of us have heard about the famous Kuntala and Pochera waterfalls in Adilabad, but there is this little-known waterfall in the same district. With Telangana still receiving rainfall and witnessing heavy flows of water on rocky cliffs, you can plan a trip to this place soon.

One of the many waterfalls in Adilabad, Gayatri Waterfalls is away from the human eye and found its habitat in a remote place inside a deep tropical forest. This hidden gem is a heavenly retreat if someone needs some time off from the urban chaos. Though it may not be the best falls in the State, its beauty would attract you.

Cascading down the rocky cliffs, these waterfalls are surrounded by a great degree of flora and fauna. It is also called as ‘Gadidha Gundam’ or ‘Mukti Gundam’ by the villagers. This stunning waterfall cascades down from a height of 100 feet into the valley and creates a magnificent sight.  Trek to the waterfalls is of a moderate level and may not be suitable for kids.

 

There is a pool at the bottom of the falls in which tourists can swim in and have a gala time clicking pictures here. It is ideal to pack a snack and drinking water while visiting this place as there are no eateries in the area. You need to be careful here as the rocks are very slippery, and also take precautions while swimming in the pool.

According to Telangana Tourism, when one stands to face this inviting falls, they would see the beautiful falls with a huge pool of fresh water under it. The sight is just so amazing, as the drizzling water pecks you on your cheek, and when someone climbs up to get a top view of the falls, you will feel captivated by a panoramic view.

How to reach

At around 250 km from Hyderabad towards Adilabad on NH 7, one can reach Neredigonda village near Ichoda town. After reaching this village, you have to travel 6 km to reach Kupti village, where you will find a sign board indicating to take a right turn to reach Tarnam village.

Take the turn and drive for 2 km on a dirt road which will take you to the Tarnam Khurd village. From this village, you have to walk 5 km to reach the waterfalls. Make sure that you are accompanied by a villager to guide you, or you might miss the route in the dense jungle.

Nirmal town has many eateries and restaurants for tourists. You can stay at hotels available for accommodation in Nirmal town or Nizamabad town.

Nearby places

Pochera waterfalls: At a distance of around 20 km from Ichoda town, you will find this enthralling waterfall. The greenery around the location is very appealing and is untouched by the urbanisation. The waterfall has great width and height to make it the deepest in the State. The fall is 20-metre high and flows down with a great force. One can hear water roaring at a high pitch, exhibiting the power of nature.

The lush green forest around the waterfall makes it a natural habitat for reptiles, bird species, and many insects. This falls serves as a good adventurous location. Adding spiritual touch to the beautiful location is the Narsimha swamy temple located near the waterfall. The waterfall which is extremely beautiful, and very scary at the same time, is one of its kind in the entire State and is rarely found in the country. This place may scare you during the night with only the moon lighting it up.

What to visitors say?

It is a wonderful location to visit as we could enjoy a lot of greenery. The trees around falls are very attractive. Do bring your swimming shorts and enjoy under the heavy streams of water....   Priyanka Reddy ,,,,,, Hyderabad

Those who like adventure will have more fun. It is difficult to get into the bottom part of the waterfall. But, you have to get there to enjoy the water. It is better for young boys to hang out there; however, not a good place for family or couples. ...Srikanth Kumar,,,,,Adilabad

Gayatri Waterfalls is an incredible place as the waterfall is high. Though waterfall is less known, it is almost as high as Kuntala. It is a nice location for hiking and walking. Moreover, this waterfalls describes the beauty of nature where you feel the charm, peace and calmness.

Vanitha Kumari,,,,,,Nizamabad

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, trip into depths of the wild

Eco travellers can have a time of their life at the Etunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its unique species of flora and fauna.

 

Telangana is home to some of the unique flora and fauna species which make wildlife sanctuaries in the State a paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. As the State is dotted with thick forests, offering a habitat to large number of species, a trip to a wildlife sanctuary should not be missed if you want to watch the wild animal in its natural habitat.

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu district is one such place where you can explore one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in the State. This splendid wildlife reserve is located near the Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Telangana border.

The land in this wildlife park is undulating from steep slopes to gentle slopes from west to east. Three-quarters of the area consist of a plain while the rest is hilly with many streams and springs. Godavari River passes through the sanctuary.

The wildlife sanctuary also has some historical significance owing to the existence of tree fossils in the Sarvai area and caves. The vegetation here is tropical dry deciduous with teak and other trees of good quality standing at 60-foot height.

It is home to tiger, leopard, wolf, dhole, golden jackal, sloth bear, chousingha, blackbuck, nilgai, sambar, spotted deer, chinkara, Indian giant squirrel and many kinds of birds and reptiles like mugger crocodile, python, cobra and krait.

 

According to Telangana Tourism, Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is counted as those rare eco-regions around the globe that have various embryonic species of ephemeral elements. The perennial river Dayyam Vagu flows through this beautiful sanctuary and separates the wildlife sanctuary into two parts.

Moreover, there is trekking at Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, which offers stunning scenery of the landscape and gives a chance to meet its cheerful, friendly people. Visitors go for trekking here to explore the beautiful ecotourism scenery spots, remote villages, indigenous people and their daily lifestyle.

In addition, cycling and trail-walking facilities for tourists were also opened, where you can go into the forest along a specially-prepared 5-km-long route. Along this trail, viewing locations have been prepped for Sambar and other wildlife. Those who walked the trail have loved it.

How to reach

The sanctuary is located at a distance of 110 kms from Warangal and nearly 255 kms from Hyderabad. There are cottages and rest houses at Tadvai, forest rest house at Warangal and ITDA guest house at Eturnagaram. Haritha Kakatiya Hotel in Warangal city handles the tourist flow to the heritage city of Warangal while there are some hotels close to the highway near Eturnagaram which offer food.

Nearby places

Tadvai Huts: At a distance of 19 km towards Warangal, you can find Tadvai Forest Huts where you can come close to the nature and get in touch with trees that are over 100 years old. These huts are maintained by the Forest Department and the accommodation with basic amenities costs Rs 2,500 for two persons. You can wake up in the morning listening to the humming of birds like Malabar Whistling Trush Malabar Giant Squirrel and lots of rare birds for a birdwatcher.

Dameravai Dolmens: Deep inside the thick forest near Dameravai village, megalithic tombs called dolmens can be found on a hillock named Suragun-daiah Gutta, which are believed to be 5,000 years old, and provide an opportunity to learn more about pre-historic man. From Tadvai forest huts via Katapur village, it is at 17 km and now there is a good road connectivity to visit the place.

Kondeti View Point: Planning to explore a view point/ hill station in the midst of fresh environs and alluring scenic beauty, then Kondeti is an ideal option for you. The picturesque region with its unspoiled nature offers an outstanding feel to the tourists. From Tadvai via Medaram, it is 23 kms and from Tadvai via Chinnaboinapalli, it is 24 kms.

For any details regarding these places, contact, Eco-Tourism Co-Ordinator: Suman Kalyanapu Ph: 7382619363 or email: ecotourismbhupalpally@gmail.com. For information on Tadvai Huts, contact, manager Sai Krishna, Phone no.: 7382619376.

What do visitors say?

A visit to Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary offers an amazing journey through the forest amid pleasant environment. I can say it is the best place for nature lovers and wildlife lovers.

–Ravikanth, Warangal

It is very beautiful in rainy and winter seasons. Moreover, a road trip towards the sanctuary itself is a worth visit. You can enjoy a lot both with your friends and also with your family.

–Ravalika Rao, Hyderabad

It is an ideal habitat with a good number of species. It is one of the best places to see wildlife animals. The ideal time to visit this place is in morning hours. A visit to this sanctuary offers you lot of memorable experiences.

–Sathish Reddy, Karimnagar

Alampur, home to a Shakti Peetham

Many prominent temples including the Jogulamba Devi Temple here stand as a testimony to architectural splendour

Religious places in Telangana are known for spectacular architecture, sculptures, arts and traditional designs ranging from small shrines under trees to temple complexes that contain smaller temples. One such popular heritage temple in the State is Jogulamba Devi Temple, Alampur.

Alampur is the meeting point of the rivers Tungabhadra and Krishna and referred to as Dakshina Kashi and the Western Gateway of Srisailam. The place is famous for Jogulamba Temple, Navabrahma temples and Sangameswara Temple built in 7th century.

Alampur Navabrahma temples include nine temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, which date back to the 7th century and were built by the Badami Chalukyas rulers who were patrons of art and architecture. These temples are significant for their intricate carvings of themes.

 

Considered one of the 18 Shakti Peethas in India, Jogulamba Temple attracts thousands of visitors every day. The principal deities at Alampur are Brahmeswara and Jogulamba. It is surrounded by the Nallamala hills. Alampur is considered historically as an important centre of the Chalukyas.

Tourists visiting this powerful Shakti Peetham can purchase many puja-related items and a range of divine literature available here apart from handicrafts made of river shells, utility items made with local stone carvings and small sculptures.

Interestingly, Alampur temples are listed as an archaeological and architectural treasure on the official ‘List of Monuments’ prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India under ‘The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act’.

This historic temple stands as a testimony to Chalukya Art and Culture. It was also said that Brahma had performed a great penance at Alampur for thousands of years, and he pleased Lord Siva who conferred the powers of creation for him.

You can see goddess Jogulamba sitting on the corpse with scorpion, frog, and lizard on the head. She can be seen in a naked avatar with her tongue stretched outside, an avatar of fierce goddess that grants Siddhi in Yoga and hence called Jogulamba. This word is a changed form of Yogula Amma in Telugu which means Mother of Yogis.

The sacredness of Alampur temple has been mentioned in the Skanda Purana. The uniqueness of this group of temples lies in their plan and design in the northern architectural style introduced by the Chalukyas somewhere around AD 650 and 750.

How to reach

Alampur is located approximately 210 km from Hyderabad and easily accessible through Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway. Alampur Road is the nearest railway station located at a distance of nearly 9 km. According to Telangana Tourism, Haritha Hotel in Alampur offers quality food for tourists visiting this temple. There are other small restaurants located near the temple and along the highway. Tourists visiting the Shakti Peetham of Alampur can also opt for this hotel for hotel offers good accommodation.

Nearby places

Pillamarri: In between Hyderabad and Alampur, you can find Pillalamarri, an age-old tree, located around 3 km from the Mahabubnagar district headquarters. This great Banyan trees called Pillalamarri is artistry stoke of nature.

The tree, which is 700 years old, attracts many people. It earned its name Pillalamarri because it is spread into a lot of branches. Due to scores of branches, one cannot see the main trunk of the tree. It stands as a special attraction for the visitors touring the Mahabubnagar district. With its rising popularity, Tourism Department has set up a small exhibition centre here, wherein many statues and sculptures are exhibited.

Koilsagar Dam: It is a famous picnic spot in Mahabubnagar district, which is laid over Pedda Vagu River, a tributary of River Krishna. Enveloped within hills, this reservoir attracts thousands of tourists. Beside Koilsagar, there is Veerabadhra Temple called KoilKonda. Every year, there is a jathara held by nearby villagers. The place is located at 130 km from Alampur and 140 from Hyderabad.

Sri Ranganayaka Swamy Temple: Located at Srirangapuram village in Pebbair mandal of Mahabubnagar district and 160 km away from Hyderabad, the temple is an architectural marvel with huge gopurams and mandapams making the shrine captivating.

Surrounded by lush green and beautiful sacred water flow behind the temple, the classical Vijayanagara architecture is perfectly reflected in the construction of this temple. Visitors can reach Srirangapuram Sri Ranganayaka Swamy Temple by road from Pebbair, Kollapur or from Wanaparthy while Gadwal is the nearby railway station.

Devarakonda Fort, a majestic site of historic significance

Once home to Padmanayaka rulers, brave warriors during the Kakatiya reign, the Devarakonda Fort is a must-visit place in Nalgonda district.

Reflecting a rich culture, great history along with captivating architecture, Telangana has been embellished with some majestic forts, which take us back to glorious time of kings and help to recount historic tales on a visit.

Forts are a significant part of the State’s history, which have been featured in photos and documentaries and it is not surprising that the architectural marvels like Devarakonda Fort are on the must-see lists of tourists when travelling across the State.

For those who love to explore the chronicles of the State, the Devarakonda Fort should be the place in your visit list. A visit to this spectacular fort is like stepping into a historical trance with every corner of the fort unveiling the great tales of bravery, struggles and triumph of its rulers.

Devarakonda is a tiny village situated in Nalgonda district. It acted as a prominent fortified defensive structure of the rulers of Recherla Velama dynasty that ruled parts of Telangana after Kakatiyas. The fort was constructed in the 13th – 14th century.

 

It is the emblem of prosperity established by the kingdom of Padmanayaka Velama Rajas. Later, the fort was conquered by Maada Naidu who belonged to the eight kings of the Padmanayaka rulers. Naidu was a brave warrior besides being a great ruler.

According to Telangana Tourism, in the premises of fort stands Rama and Shiva temples constructed by Maada Naidu. These temples add a hint of spirituality and purity to the untouched beauty of the fort.

Devarakonda fort, which is famous for its architectural brilliance, is surrounded by hills with rocks and boulders, and some forest cover. The fort built on a hilltop has walls with curved bastions along with it and many granaries are found here.

People visiting the fort area are also treated by the nature with a picturesque view of a little pond present in it. Amongst the many things added to the fort is the astonishing way of stairs that will take you to Patala Ganga that is situated in Srisailam.

History has it that after Maada Naidu, the strings of the flourishing Devarakonda Kingdom went into the hands of Maada Naidu’s son, Pedha Vedagiri Naidu. Vedagiri Naidu was also a brave king and established his throne for around 26 years. Vedagiri Naidu had added an extra charm to the kingdom.

How to reach

Devarakonda is at a distance of around 110 km from Hyderabad on Nagarjuna Sagar road from where tourists need to take a small diversion from Kondalpahad. It takes about 3 hours to reach this place by road.

From Nalgonda town, Devarakonda could be reached in an hour and there are frequent buses from Nalgonda to Devarakonda every 20 minutes. Tourists can choose to eat at hotels dotting the Sagar highway and opt for accommodation at Haritha Vijay Vihar Hotel, Nagarjuna Sagar.

Nearby places

Someswara temples

 

At a distance of around 60 km, there is Pachala Someswara temple and Chaya Someswara temple, which are ancient temples located at Panagallu village. The Pachala Someswara temple is ‘Trikoota Alayam’, highly decorated with sculpture depicting the Puranas. The other minor temple is called Chaya Someswara Swami Temple. The temple was built in 11th – 12th centuries during the Kakatiya dynasty. The temple is known for its everlasting shadow (Chaya) on the presiding deity of Lord Shiva’s Linga in the main temple at any time of the day.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Nearly 57 km from Devarakonda Fort is a Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, a popular weekend getaway, which draws thousands of tourists visiting Nagarjuna Sagar when the dam gates are open. The boating here offers unique experiences of beautiful landscape and strikingly scenic of water body. This trip is a fun-filled experience where one can have thrill, excitement and adventure to spend your holiday on the backwaters of Nagarjuna Sagar dam.

 

Telangana plans eco-tourism sites at Nalgonda, Mancherial

Ethnic cottages, restaurants, souvenir shops, boating and safaris among activities proposed.

Hyderabad: The state government has given a call to develop two new eco-tourism sites in Telangana State’s most picturesque spots.

The Telangana State Forest Development Corporation is set to develop the projects on a public-private partnership mode, creating hundreds of new jobs and generating lakhs of rupees in income.

Ethnic cottages, restaurants, souvenir shops, boating and safaris are among the things proposed in the scenic backwaters of Vizag Colony in Nalgonda and at Chintaguda in Mancherial, near the lush Kawal Tiger Reserve.

 

The department generates approximately `20 crore annually from existing projects in and around Hyderabad. These include the Botanical Garden and Pala Pitta Cycling Park in Kothaguda, Mrugavani National Park in Chilkur, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali Park in Vanasthalipuram and Jawahar Lake Tourism Complex in Shamirpet.

The two new sites are likely to generate an additional `30 lakh for the state initially and it might go up over the years.

Assistant director, eco-tourism, at TSFDC, M. Madhavi, said: “Tenders will be floated after surveys are completed by the state at both sites. We hope to start work in another four months, depending on the response to tenders.”

The Nalgonda site is located amid lush and serene green fields, long stretches of jungle areas and blue green waters of the Nagarjunasagar reservoir.

“There are several important places near and around the proposed base camp, which will be easily accessible from the site,” Ms Madhavi said.

Set near the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, tourist points will include boating in the Nagarjunasagar backwaters, visits to the historical Gajubedam caves; Devarakonda fort; Harihara Mallanna temple; and to Puttamgandi lift irrigation project, the biggest in Asia.

Tourists are expected from both TS and Andhra Pradesh to this place 133 km from Hyderabad.

At Chintaguda in Mancherial district, 10 independent cottages, tented accommodation and two common dormitories will come up. A children’s play area, a restaurant and a landscaped garden are also planned.

Other attractions near the area include the Shivaram crocodile sanctuary, Gundala waterfalls, Laxmi Devi temple, deer-breeding centre, Godavari river, Mallyal watch tower and solar pump areas.

“It will serve as a centre which combines aesthetic, educational and recreation values at one site,” Ms Madhavi said.

“It also provides a holiday space for urban visitors within serene natural surroundings.”

While the site at Mancherial, about 280 km from Hyderabad, is likely to draw 10,000 visitors every year, the one at Nalgonda is set to hit 20,000, being about 100 km closer to the city.

Both projects are set to create 200 direct jobs for residents in the capacity of drivers, watchmen, house-keeping staff and guides.

Additional indirect job opportunities will be created through setting up of local tours; sale of vegetables and fish to restaurants and through sale of local craft at souvenir shops, Ms Madhavi said.

She further said that TSFDC wants to manage visits to the sites in a circuitous way. It plans to provide transport and logistics support to the winning bidder, with the support of residents and the local administration. “Two circuits are proposed with one-day and two-day tours for tourists visiting these places,” Ms Madhavi said.

“There is also a proposal for a facility that will cater to the needs of a large group of tourists from IT and corporate sectors for official meetings, get-togethers and for small-size parties in the calmness of nature at the secluded site. We have entered into the field of development of eco-tourism with investment from private entrepreneurs for developing infrastructure and tourist amenities. The corporation is also making its own investments in some of the new projects to provide pollution-free entertainment and environment to the public and also to create public awareness for protection of environment.”

She added: “All animate and inanimate objects on earth are inter-related. Each time a species becomes extinct, man moves closer to his own destruction. TSFDC has taken this small initiative to inculcate the importance of conservation of flora and fauna by making people spend time amid nature and away from the chaos of city life.”

Defining eco-tourism, she said: “It is a responsible travel to natural areas, where environment is conserved and helps improve welfare of residents.”