Telangana
-It’s all in it
Telangana, also spelt Teleghana or Telingana, a continent state of south-central India.
It is bordered by the states of Maharashtra to the north, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to the northeast, Andhra Pradesh to the southeast and south, and Karnataka to the west.
The area of what is now Telangana constituted the north-central and northeastern portions of Andhra Pradesh split to form a separate state.
The capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is Hyderabad, in west-central Telangana.
Following the subsequent Gentleman’s agreement and again a period of broken promises and injustice, the Telangana movement was given a final push by Shri. K Chandrasekhar Rao in 2001 with the formation of TRS.
Telangana is a place, which boasts of rich culture and a plethora of eye-catching destinations that offer an enchanting experience to tourists. This is what boosted the State’s tourism, which rose significantly in the last five years.
Independence might have knocked the door in Telangana a bit late, but its tourism has been quite a hit even when it was part of Andhra Pradesh.
Yes, this 29th state of India has so much to offer ranging from temples to history and from food to nature that you cannot help falling in love with it.
Telangana is indeed a must-visit destination in India; a soulful place that takes pride in its rich heritage, culture, wildlife, and beauty of nature.
History of Telangana India
The name Telangana is derived from the word Telugu Angana, which means a place where Telugu is spoken.
The Nizams (1724-1948) used the word Telangana to differentiate it from the Marathi speaking regions of their kingdom.
From 230 BC to 220 AD, the Satvahanas ruled this region between Krishna and Godavari rivers.
The region experienced a Golden Age, between 1083-1203, under the reign of the Kakatiyas who established Warangal as their capital.
In 1309 AD, Allaudin Khilji’s general Malik Kafur attacked Warangal, which led to the decline of the Kakatiyas.
The region came under the Delhi Sultanate till 1687, when Golconda (near Hyderabad) fell to Aurangzeb. In 1724, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah (Asif Jahin Nizam dynasty) established his independence and made Hyderabad the capital of the empire in 1769.
In 1799, the British sign an alliance with Nizam Asif Jah. The Nizam ceded coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions to the British.
The region remained under the British and the Nizams till 1946, the year of the Telangana rebellion, which was quelled by the Nizam’s Razakars (mercenaries).
Popular Languages of Telangana
Telugu is the official language of Telangana whereas Urdu is the second official language of the state. These two languages are spoken by more than 85 per cent of Telangana people.
Besides these two languages, Hindi is another popular language in Telangana. There are also many tribal languages spoken in Telangana.
Capital of Telangana
Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana.
Chief Minister (CM) of Telangana
Chief Minister of Telangana is K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
Governor of Telangana
Sri Ekkadu Srinivasan Lakshmi Narasimhan or Sri ESL Narasimhan is the Governor of Telangana state.
High Court of Telangana
The High court of Telangana is located in Hyderabad.
Map Of Telangana
Telangana Tourism
Telangana Tourism offers ample travel options throughout the year. However, if you want to know about the state culture, it is better to visit during one of the popular festivals, when the entire state turns into a lively stage.
Enjoy boating at the Hussain Sagar Lake or Krishna and Tungabhadra Rivers. Go for trekking across the Kawal Wildlife sanctuary.
Telangana Tourism presents amazing travel opportunities in a true sense. For the pristine natural beauty, opulent heritage, architectural grandiose, pilgrimage site, rich wildlife, flavoursome cuisine, colourful festivals, gorgeous art, and craft.
The food experience in Telangana is also something to look forward to when visiting this South Indian state. There is a wide variety of delicacies that await to make you forget the rest and binge.
Telangana is going to leave you breathless with the shopping experience and traditional craft.
The state is a perfect destination for family vacations, travelling with friends as well as heading for a solo venture, Since the state has rich art and craft, one can rest assured to go back home with a bag full of items of fine craftsmanship.
From Bidri work to Banjara Needlecraft of the tribals to Nirmal arts to Dokra metal craft.
The state also houses a few Jain Temples, churches, and mosques which are perfect for religious tours. The Jama Masjid in Hyderabad is, in fact, an architectural marvel that you cannot miss out on when in Telangana.
Best 50 Tourist Places To Visit In Telangana:
1. Hyderabad
Hyderabad (also known as Bhagya Nagaram) is the fifth-largest metropolis of India and the capital of the states.
It is known for its rich history and culture with monuments, mosques, temples, a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts, and dance.
2. Warangal
Warangal or Orugallu or Ekasila Nagaram is a historical city in the Warangal district of Telangana.
This is one of the popular places to experience Telangana.
3. Nagarjuna Sagar
Nagarjuna Sagar is one of the most popular tourist places to visit near Hyderabad and one of the best weekend getaways from Hyderabad city.
4. Yadagiri Gutta
Yadagiri Gutta is a popular pilgrimage town in Nalgonda district in the state of Telangana situated close to Warangal to the highway.
It is famous for Yadagirigutta Temple, the abode of Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
5. Basara
Basar or Basara is situated on the banks of River Godavari. It is a popular tourist and pilgrimage site because of the famous Saraswathi temple.
The Basara temple is a unique temple of Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and Learning.
6. Bhadrachalam
Bhadrachalam is a pilgrimage town in Khammam district of Telangana State, situated on the banks of the River Godavari.
The temple for Lord Rama was built by a devotee called Kancherla Gopanna popularly known as Bhakta Ramadasu in the 17th century.
7. Kuntala falls
Kuntala falls cascades down through two steps from a rocky platform. It is one of the famous one-day outings and a good weekend getaway from Hyderabad city.
There is a motorable road till the entry point of waterfalls from where about 400 steps have to be trekked down to reach the bottom of the falls.
8. Vemulawada
Vemulawada is famous for the temple of Rajarajeshwara Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
It was built by one of the governors of Kalyani Chalukyas by name Rajadithya between the 11th and 12th centuries.
8. Alampur
Alampur is famous for Jogulamba Temple (a Shakti Peetha), Navabrahma temples, and Sangameswara Temple built in the 7th century.
Alampur is considered the western gateway to the famous pilgrimage town Srisailam.
10. Adilabad
Adilabad district is the land of waterfalls and one of the most scenic regions in Telangana with dense forest, beautiful valleys, and several rivers.
Adilabad derives its name from Yusuf Adil Shah, the famous ruler of Bijapur.
11. Karimnagar
Karimnagar has an important place in the history of Telugu.
Kotilingala in Karimnagar district was the first capital of the Satavahana dynasty which ruled most of the Telugu and South-Central regions between the 3rd century BC and 3rd century CE.
12. Mahabubnagar
Mahaboobnagar district has several tourist attractions like Alampur, Pillalamarri, Jurala Dam, Koilkonda Fort, Gadwal Fort, Kollapur, Somalia, etc.
Most of the places can be covered in 1-2 days and hence Mahaboobnagar is an ideal weekend getaway from Hyderabad and also one of the popular Telanaga tourist places.
13. Nizamabad
Nizamabad is one of the agriculturally advanced districts in Telangana. It has two large dams constructed across River Godavari (Sriram Sagar Dam) and River Manjira (Nizamsagar Dam).
The Nizamsagar dam also supplies drinking water to the city of Hyderabad.
`14. Nalgonda
Nalgonda has ample history and it has been a settlement from the prehistoric era. It was also an important two during the rule of Mauryas, Satavahanas, and Ikshvakus.
15. Mallela Theertham
Mallela Theertham is a charming waterfall located in the dense Nallamala forest.
This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Hyderabad and among ideal weekend getaways from Hyderabad for a day trip.
16.Sri Rama Chandra temple
The Rama temple was built by Vengi kings in the 13th century but the idol was 1000 years old.
The temple is adorned with a large seven-story tower which is quite famous among Telugu movie fans.
17. Ananthagiri Hills
Ananthagiri Hills are located at Vikarabad of Ranga Reddy district in Telangana.
It is being developed as a small hill station and it’s also a famous destination for a day trip due to its proximity to Hyderabad.
18. Wargal Saraswati
The Wargal Saraswati Temple is one of the few temples of goddess Saraswati in Telangana.
Also known as Sri Vidya Saraswathi Temple, it was built by Sri Yamavaram Chandrashekhara Sharma. The temple foundation stone was laid in 1989.
19. Singur dam
The Singur or Singoor dam is located near Sangareddy town of Medak district in Telangana. This is one of the scenic tourist places to visit near Hyderabad.
20. Medak Fort
The Medak Fort is situated in the Medak town of Telangana State. This is an important historical site around Hyderabad. The fort was originally known as Methuku Durham, which denotes cooked rice.
21. Medak Church
Medak Cathedral is the largest church in entire Asia and the second-largest in the world after the Vatican. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit in Telangana and among the prime place to visit on a Hyderabad tour.
22. Bhongir Fort
The Bhongir Fort is situated in Bhongir (also called as Bhuvanagiri) in Nalgonda district of Telangana. It is situated between Hyderabad and Warangal.
This is a popular Hyderabad getaway for a short trip and important historical site around Hyderabad.
23. Devarakonda Fort
Devarakonda Fort acted as a prominent fortified defensive structure of the rulers of the Recherla Velama dynasty that ruled parts of Telangana after Kakatiyas.
The territory of Devarakonda was developed by the Padma Nayaka Velama rulers.
24. Rachakonda Fort
The Rachakonda Fort was constructed in the 14th century by Recherla Singama Nayak from the Padma Nayaka dynasty who ruled the region of Rachakonda.
The region was first ruled by Kakatiyas, Padma Nayakas, Bahmani Sultans, Qutub Shahi, and finally Nizams.
25. Chaya Someswara Temple
Chaya Someswara Temple is a wonderful temple located at Panagal in the Nalgonda district of Telangana.
This is an interesting pilgrimage and historical site to visit from Nalgonda & Hyderabad.
26. Koilkonda Fort
Koilkonda Fort is the erstwhile outpost of the Qutb Shahi dynasty situated on a hilltop.
27. Gadwal Fort
The most famous ruler and strongman of Gadwal called Peda Soma Bhupaludu (Somanadri) built this fort during the 17th century.
The Fort was constructed with huge walls and moats around the fort which made the Gadwal Fort very strong and impregnable.
28. Sri Lalitha Someswara Swamy Temple
Sri Lalitha Someswara Swamy Temple is a highly revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to have been built during the 7th century.
Somalia is a well-known tourist attraction of Mahabubnagar that consists of 15 temples.
29. Kolhapur
Kolhapur was a princely region under Nizams ruled by Hindu rulers. Most of the Nallamala region along the Krishna River was under the control of Kollapur.
There is a huge palace built by the rulers of Kollapur in 1871.
30. Domakonda Fort
This fort is also called Gadi Domakonda or Killa Domakonda. It is one of the beautiful forts present in Telangana.
It has an elevated compound of granite rocks that forms the fort wall, followed by the beautiful two-storied fort structure.
31. Nagunur Fort
Nagunur Fort is situated in Nagunur Village in the Karimnagar district of Telangana.
This is an important historical site in Karimnagar district. The Nagunur fort was constructed in the period of the Kakatiya dynasty.
32. Elgandal Fort
Elgandal is one of the best-survived forts in Telangana. The Fort is located on a hillock. In earlier times, Elgandal is also called as Bahudhanyapuram, Tellakandula, and Velagandula. And finally, over time, the name changed to Elgandal.
33. Ramagiri Fort
Ramagiri Fort often referred to as Ratnagarbha has an ancient fort believed to be used by Satavahanas and Kakatiyas as their Military establishment. Ramagiri Fort is a picturesque hilltop fort built using stone with several bastions spread across a huge area across the hill.
34. Molangur fort
The Molangur fort was constructed on a hillock by Voragiri Moggaraju, one of the chief officers of Prathapa Rudra of the Kakatiya dynasty.
35. Jagityal Fort
Jagityal Fort or Quilla Gadda Fort is located at Jagityal town in Karimnagar District of Telangana. The Jagityal fort was built during the reign of Nawab Ibrahim, a Governor in the Mughal dynasty.
36. Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy temple
Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy temple located in Kondagattu village of Karimnagar district is one of the famous temples in Telangana. This Temple is decorated with sculptures of Gods and Goddesses on its facades and walls.
37. Kaleshwaram
Kaleshwaram is one of the most famous Shiva adobes in Telangana. This place is also called Dakshina Triveni Sangamam, as rivers Godavari and Pranahita meet here along with a third, the illusionary flow of Antharvahini.
38. Chandragad Fort
Chandragad Fort is located at Chandraghad Village in Mahbubnagar District of Telangana. This Hill Fort is located close to Jurala Dam. The picturesque Hillfort is located on the banks of river Krishna.
39. Khilla Ghanpur/Ghanpur Fort
Khilla Ghanpur/GhanpurFort is located near Khilla Ghanpur village in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. This is an ideal weekend getaway from Hyderabad to spend a full day.
40. Jatprole
Jatprole, also known as Jetaprolu is a village in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. It is famous for its wonderful Madana Gopala Swamy Temple. In the historic tales, Jatprole is known as Jatayuvu Kshetra.
41. Pillalamarri or Peerla Marri
Pillalamarri is a large banyan tree located in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. Pillalamarri or Peerla Marri, an 800 years old banyan tree, is a major tourist attraction in Mahabubnagar district.
42. Sri Edupayala Vana Durga Bhavani
Edupayalu temple is one of the most famous and powerful temples in Telangana. River Manjeera flows as seven streams and they confluence at this place.
43. Ramappa Temple/ Ramalingeswara Temple
Ramappa Temple is an ancient temple built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva in 1213 AD. History says that it took 40 years to build this temple.
44. Jain Temple
Jain Temple of Mahavira is located in Kolanupaka village (also called as Kulpak) in Nalgonda district.
The temple is decorated with beautiful images of Tirthankaras and it’s one of the important Jain pilgrimage sites in the country.
45. Eturnagaram Sanctuary
Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the oldest sanctuaries in South India. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1952 by Hyderabad Nizam Government.
The sanctuary is located near the border of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
46. Koulas Fort
Koulas Fort is a massive fort dating back to the 14th century, spread across 6 sq km and located in Jukkal mandal close to Bidar – Nanded road. This fort was built by Kakatiya rulers.
47. Pocharam Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary
Pocharam Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Medak district of Telangana. Pocharam Dam and Wildlife Sanctuary have spread over 130 sq km. It was a former hunting ground of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
48. Pochera Falls
Pochera Falls is a pretty waterfall on the Kadam River. The falls are located at a distance of 10 Kms from Neredikonda village between Nirmal & Adilabad (a diversion is required at Boath crossroads).
49. Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated at Nampally Gutta. The temple is nestled on a small hillock on the Vemulawada – Karimnagar highway.
It is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol was carved out of the rock around which the temple was built.
50. Koti Lingala
Kotilingala is a major and famous pilgrimage site in Telangana. Kotilingala is situated at the confluence of the Peddavagu and Godavari River. It was one of the capitals of the Satavahana dynasty.
Famous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries In Telangana:
1. Pakhal Lake & Wildlife Sanctuary
Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 839 sq. km. The sanctuary presents a beautiful landscape with a dense and rich store of animals.
It is indeed a delight for the tourists to see so many animals amidst a wonderful backdrop.
2. Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the right bank of Godavari River and also it is part of Dandakaranya Forest.
The sanctuary is named after the River Kinnerasani. This river divides the sanctuary and meets the Godavari.
3. Mrugavani National Park
Mrugavani National Park is spread over 700 acres of area. Situated near Himayatsagar lake in Chilkur, this park was established in 1994.
4. KBR National Park
The KBR National Park is located near Jubilee Hill check post in the heart of Hyderabad City. Named after the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. late Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, it covers an area of 156 hectares.
5. Nehru Zoological Park
Nehru Zoological Park located in Bahadurpura is one of the most popular places to visit in Hyderabad and one of the biggest zoological parks in the country.
It is visited by a large number of family tourists, especially in the summer season.
6. Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park is situated in Vanasthalipuram on NH9 towards Vijayawada.
Named after the holy Jain saint ‘Lord Mahavira’, it was established in 1975 on the 2500th birth anniversary of the saint. This sanctuary was once the exciting ‘Shikargarh’ or hunting ground of one of the Nizam rulers.
Telangana Is Famous for:
1. Art and Culture of Telangana
Telangana is a storehouse of creativity that is prevalent in its collection of art and craft. The Golconda style is an old method of blending foreign techniques.
Dhokra or Dokra is a famous craft that is also known as Bell Metalcraft. Artisans produce figurines, peacocks, elephants, horses, tribal gods, and other varieties of birds and animals which are made of brass.
2. The religion of Telangana
Telangana is home to diverse cultures and religions. Till the 6th century, the region was predominantly ruled by the Buddhists and is the home of Mahayana Buddhism. Urdu is the second widely spoken language in the state.
3. The cuisine of Telangana
Cuisine gets a makeover as the dishes are a direct influence on the existing culture of that place. Telangana mainly has two distinct cuisines – Telugu and Hyderabadi where the former is mainly spicy in which Millet, Jowar, and Bajra dominate.
4. Traditional Dresses of Telangana
Telangana is famous for its weaving and dying techniques because it’s cotton-producing units are world-famous. The most common apparel worn by women is saree along with Langa voni, salwar kameez, and churidar.
Bhoodan Pochampally, a Mandal in Nalgonda District, is known for its Ikat style of sarees and material. Pochampally weave is commonly called ikkat or tie and dye weave.
Male clothing includes the traditional Dhoti which is also known as Pancha.
5. Dance forms of Telangana
a) Perini Thandavam
Perini Thandavamis an ancient dance form performed by males. Legends say that warriors used to carry out this dance before the idol of Lord Siva before going to the battlefield during the reign of Kakatiyas.
b) Burra Katha
Burra Katha is a form of dance that has evolved from a dance called Tandana Katha. It is mainly performed by a group of three main artists in the centre.
Bhamakalapam and Golla Kalapam are famous traditional dances that emphasize on the moral values initiated by Sidhenra Yogi.
c) Dandaria
Dandaria is a dance performed by the Gonds of Northern Hyderabad. The Gonds believe that they are the descendants of Pandavas. The male dancers dance with their Dundas and go from village to village to host functions.
d) Bonalu
Bonalu is the folk festival of Telangana where we see the colourfully dressed female dancers balancing pots (Bonalu), to the beats and tunes in praise of Mahankali.
Male dancers called Potharajus to precede the female dancers to the temple adding colour to the festivity.
6. Food
a) Sarva Pindi Staple Food of Telangana
Sarva Pindi is an excellent choice as it is cooked with at least one component of each stage of the food pyramid. It is a savoury pancake made of rice flour, chana dal, peanuts, and chilli.
b) Malidalu
Malidalu is made of chapati pieces combined with a mix of jaggery, cashews, Pista, and ghee and shaped into small balls. Fully packed with nutrients, it is the best solution for anyone craving for a sweet after a meal.
c) Sakinalu
Sakinalu is one of those grubs that Indians have been perfecting over the years in various parts of India and giving it different names like murukku, chakli, etc.
d) Garijalu
Garijalu also called Kajjikaya has a sweet filling consisting of dry grated coconut, sugar, and hints of cardamom. It is deep-fried and its shape as you can see resembles Karanji; a sweet dish of Telangana.
e) Pachi Pulusu
Pachi Pulusu and Rasam are that the former has very little “cooking” involved and uses the gas-only to temper the seasoning.
f) Golichina Mamsam
Finally a non-vegetarian dish for the meat-lovers! As Telangana cuisine is well-known for its spices, this dish incorporates succulent pieces of mutton into a thick gravy that is loaded with locally grown spices and cooked over low flame for hours so the meat can truly absorb the essence of the curry.
7. Hyderabadi Biryani
Kachi gosht ki biryani and Pakki biryani. Marinated meat is cooked in layers of rice in a big handi which is covered with flat dough that eventually rises due to heat; indicating that the biryani is ready to be devoured.
8. Chegodilu
Chegodilu is a crunchy snack item that is almost impossible to stop munching on after the first bite.
Toasted sesame seeds are the special feature in this deep-fried snack giving it a unique nutty flavour that goes well with the mild spiciness.
9. Polelu
Polelu is a go-to recipe for special festivals like Ganesh Chathurthi. It is commonly found in sweet shops in sealed plastic packets and can be easily made at home.
10. Qurbani ka Meetha
Qurbani ka Meetha never fails to bring out the magnificence of the occasion. Made of dried apricots that are cooked overheat for a significant amount of time to become a compote, it is then combined with sugar, ghee, saffron threads and almonds to prepare a fragrant and delectable dessert.
Fairs and Festivals Of Telangana:
1. Bonalu
Bonalu is another Hindu Festival, celebrated during June/ July where Goddess Maa Kali is worshipped. The festival is considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfilling the desires of devotees.
2. Ramzan
Ramzan is the main festival of Muslims and Moharram too is celebrated on a large scale in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is known as ‘primarily panduga’ where Pir means Master.
Plan Your Tour With Us
Let us help you get the best out of your holidays and a hassle-free trip.
Tell us more about your travel plans and we certainly offer you something of your choice & budget.
Blog | About Us | Shop | Trip Planner
