Nalgonda tourist places

Buddha Statue

Nagarjuna Sagar in an important Buddhist site located 150 kms from Hyderabad. The historic location takes its name from the Buddhist saint and scholar Acharya Nagarjuna who is said to have set up a centre of learning here. Today, Nagarjuna Sagar is home to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam - the world's tallest masonry dam that irrigates over 10 lakh acres of land.

It was during the building of the dam that the ruins of an ancient Buddhist civilization were excavated here. Some of the relics unearthed have been carefully preserved on a picturesque island called Nagarjuna Konda, located in the centre of a man-made lake. The vestiges of a sacred Buddhist stupa, vihara, monasteries, a university and a sacrificial altar have been carefully reconstructed at Anupu on the east bank of the reservoir.

Nagarjuna Konda

A fascinating island set in the middle of a man-made lake, Nagarjuna Konda houses the excavated remains of the 2nd and 3rd century Buddhist civilization found at Nagarjuna Sagar. To reach Nagarjuna Konda, visitors board a boat at the jetty near Vijayapuri township.

Nagarjuna Sagar

How to reach ?

Air : The nearest airport is in Hyderabad at a distance of 149 km. Rail : The nearest rail head is Macherla, which is 29 km from Nagarjuna Sagar. Bus : Regular service from Hyderabad to Nagarjuna Sagar

YADAGIRIGUTTA LEGEND

The town acquired its name and fame from a sage called Yadarishi, son of the great sage Rishyasrunga who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya on this hill between Bhongir and Raigiri in Nalgonda district.Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshipped as Panchanarasimha Kshetram. As the legend goes, the Lord appeared first as Jwala Narasimha (Lord as a flame), when Yadarishi was unable to face the intensity of this apparition, he appeared in a peaceful form as Yoganarasimha (Lord in a Yogic Padmasana posture with open palms on the knees). Not satisfied with the Lord appearing alone, Yadarishi sought to see him with this consort, so he is said to have appeared with Lakshmi on his lap, known as Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and as being worshipped by Alwars, his ardent devotees. To see these three forms one has to go through an entrance that narrows itself into a dark cave which in fact is surmised as the urga (fiery) form of Narasimha (the fourth form) because it was beyond the strength of a sage to see that form and gandabherunda ( the garuda pakshi or the eagle) is the fifth form of the Lord which is said to have been found sculpted in rock underneath the Anjaneya, known as 'Kshetrapalaka' (or the one who ruled over that hill). All these forms are known as " swayambhu" or self emanated. Yadarishi is said to have been granted his wish that the place where the Lord appeared will be known by his name as Yadagiri (giri means hill in Sanskrit, and gutta which means a hillock in Telugu seems to have been a latter-day suffix) and that Lord Lakshmi Narasimha will be worshipped for many years to come.

Sunkishala Temple

More Pictures of Sunkishala Temple

Chaya Somalingeswara Temple

Mystic Doorway "Chaya" (shadow) Somalingeswaraswamy temple. It is an amazing fact that there is an everlasting shadow formed any time of the day on the presiding deity. One has been unable to figure out what or which pillar casts the shadow above the linga placed on the ground, as the temple is surrounded by many pillars. Hence the deity acquired its name from this mysterious shadow. It is a major attraction in Nalgonda and people have been amazed by this mystery since time immemorial. Many devotees throng this temple during Sivarathri.

ETHIPOTHALA WATER FALLS

Eleven km. Downstream from the dam are the Ethipothala waterfalls, set in a beautiful valley. The Chandravankas stream here plunges from a height of 21.3 metres into a lagoon, and flows on through a green valley much frequented by tourists. These beautiful and refreshing waterfalls are about 60metres high originate from the Chandravanka river. They are about 21 km east of Nagarjuna Konda and named after a priest (ethi) who meditated in the caves above (apathalla-upper place). There are also some cave temples in the area, worshipped by the locals. How to reach?? By Road: Nagarjuna Konda and Ethipothala Waterfalls are around 150 kms from Hyderabad by road. Launches depart for the island from the small village of Vijayapuri.

Nandikonda

Nandikonda is a small village on the bank of River Krishna. It is about 64.37-km from Miryalaguda. The most important structure discovered was the Ikshvaku citadel with its great fortification wall, ditch, gates and army barracks inside and a great rectangular stadium.

Kolanupaka

It is located 6-km from Aler and 80-km from Hyderabad, and is a place of much historical importance. It was once a prosperous city covering an area of 93.24-kms and the ruins of old fortifications can still be seen. It gained prominence when it was made the alternate capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11th century AD.

Pochampalli

It is at a distance of 9.66-km from Bibinagar and 14.48-km from Bhongir. Acharya Vinoba Bhave started Bhodan Movement here in 1950.

Pillalamarri

Beautiful paintings, exquisitely carved pillars and several ancient inscriptions may be seen in the Kakatiyas temples here. This historic was the birthplace of the famous Telugu poet Pillalamarri Pina Veerabhadrudu.

Rachakonda

Situated 64-km from Nalgonda it is a place of tourist importance. The 'Dasavatara' sculptures in a cave near Pattabhigutta and the five temples in the town are excellent specimens of Kakatiya art and architecture. Situated among hill ranges, Rachakonda is a place of considerable archaeological interest.

Bhongir Fort

Bhongir fort was built on an isolated rock by the western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and was thus named after him as Tribhuvanagiri. This name gradually became Bhuvanagiri and subsequently Bhongir. At the foot of the fortified rocks 609.6 meters above the sea level stands the town of Bhongir. The splendid historical fort with the awe-inspiring rock and the aesthetically fortified courts which have stood the ravages of time stir the imagination of the tourists. The Bala Hisar or citadel on the top of the hill gives a bird's eye view of the neighbouring area. The fort is associated with the herioc queen Rudramadevi and her grandson Prataparudra's rule.  The fort is located upon a single hill at an altitude of 500 feet. Built is the 12th century the fort spreads over an area of 40 acres.

Wadapally

Sri Meenakshi Agastheswarw Swamy, Wadapally 6000 years ago sage Agasthya Maharshi installed the idols of Sri Meenakshi Agasteswara and Sri Laxmi Narsimha at holy SANGAM of Krishna and Musi rivers in Wadepalli village of Miryalguda Mandal. For thousands of years the temple place remained in dense forest. During the time of excavation the idols of Lord Shiva were found in the temple and reinstalled the same. Once a hunter was chasing a bird, the bird wanted to save its life. So it hid behind the idol of Lord Shiva by covering it with its wings. Lord Shiva appeared to the hunter and asked him not to kill the bird. Lord Shiva assured the hunter that he would offer his brain instead of bird. Then the hunter agreed to him and had the brain of Shiva by inserting his fingers. As he did so, holes were made on his head. Goddess Ganga rose out of the holes, soon after this incident. There are holes on the SIVA LINGAM in which 10 figures can be inserted. Even after taking large quantities of water from the holes, the level of water does not go down. Once Sri Shankaracharya visited the temple along with his diciples.They wanted to find out the reason as to why the water level is not going down therefore they tied a thread to spoon and dropped it into the hole then it went inside deep and stopped. When they pulled up the thread, they found blood stains on that, then realised their mistakes and begged pardon from the God.

Pangal

The shrines of Panagal constitute perhaps the finest examples of the medieval deccan temples. The temple complex consists of the main shrine dedicated to Siva with the Nandi mandapa in front. The architecture of the temple is the finest. It has 66 pillars. The four central pillars of the mandapa are highly ornate at the bottom and, on them, the scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are depicted. The perfected-screen pattern on the flanks in various dancing poses displays the supreme workmanship accomplished during that period. Dancers and hair styles also adorn the outer walls. These are specially noted for their graceful carving. The beauty of their proportion and the vibrant texture of the shapes which enrich the exterior and their impressive clarity testify the architectural genius of their builders. They also reveal the high perfection reached by the sculptors and architects of that age. The Kakatiya Stapati mastered the idioms of the earlier Chalukya style. The Chayala Somesvara temple is yet another temple near Panagal. The temple is known for the Chhaya (shadow) of Siva Linga which is said to be stationary from sunrise to sunset. The technique of the architect is unique. It is regarded as the most imaginative work of the Kakatiya architecture. The temple also contains valuable inscriptions of Rudramba's time. The most conspicuous feature of the Pandya style was the emergence of the monumental gateway or Gopuram which is the dominant point of temple complex. The walls of the temples imposed an ornamental appearance. The gateways are treated with rich plastic decorations

MATAMPALLI

:  The Temple of Sri Laxmi Narsimha Swamy , a famous pilgrimage is situated here on the banks of rever Krishna . Major celebrations take place during the Vykunta Ekadasi in January & Kalyana Mahotsvam in May.