Medak Tourism

Medak, a historical town located 100 km from Hyderabad on the way to Mumbai at an altitude of 1442 feet above the sea level. It has a natural citadel formed by rocky nature of the terrain. Medak was previously known as Sidapuram and reached its pinnacle during Kakatiya Dynasty. The entire town was located on a hillock and one of the natural fort. Medak is adorned by several temples and architectural splendors.

There are many historical temples in Medak, which attract tourists such as Shri Saraswathi Kshetramu, near Ananthasagar, a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi. Edupayala Durga Bhavani Gudi, located in Telangana close to the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, is a shrine dedicated to goddess Durga Bhavani that has unique natural stone formations. Edupayalu means "seven streams", as it is located near the spot where the Manjeera River splits into seven streams. Kasi Visweswara temple, Kotilingeshwara swamy temple and Joginatha temple are other popular destinations.

TOURIST PLACES IN MEDAK DISTRICT                                                                     

1.  Siddipet - Religious Place
Siddipet, a town in the Medak District, is renowned for its ancient religious attractions like temples, mosques and churches as well as historical monuments like Lal Kaman and Burj. The Yerra Cheruvu and Komati Cheruvu, tributaries of the Manjira River, flow through the region. This town has more than 50 shrines, including the popular Sri Bhogeshwara Swamy temple, Kotilingala Gudi and Sri Seetha Ramaswamy temple. Temples dedicated to Kotilingala Swamy, Borra Hanuman, Gadi Maisamma, Sri Sharabeshwaralayam, Lord Hanuman and Nag Devta are also located in this town. The Jama Masjid in Lal Kaman, Masjid-e- Naseeria, Sufia Masjid and Masjid-e-Noor are some of the other popular sacred places. The only centre dedicated to Christianity in the region is a 130 year old 'A Church of South India'.

2.  Zaheerabad - Religious Place
Zaheerabad is the biggest town in the Medak District that is named after Zaheer Yar Jung, a Paigah Nawab. Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara temple at Jharasangam is one of the prominent attractions of this town. Several tourists visit this temple during the celebration of Mahashivaratri and the month of Sravana. Another major attraction of this town is the Siddhivinayaka temple. Several tourists visit the temple on Sankat Chaturthi, the fourth day of Magha month, as per the Sanskrit calendar. Sri Dattatreya temple and nearby villages, such as the Algole, Godegarpalle, Buchnelli, Chiragpalle, Dhanasiri and Qasimpur, are other attractions.

3.  Jharasangam - Religious Place
Jharasangam is a town in north-western Sangareddy in the Medak District. The main attraction of the town is the ancient Sangameswara Swamy temple, dedicated to Lord Trimurti, a united form of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

4.  Nizam Sagar Dam - Dam
The Nizam Sagar Dam is built across the Manjira River, a tributary of River Godavari. The dam can be approached through a motorable road, along the river basin.

5.  Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple - Religious Place
The Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is located on the Hyderabad-Nagpur Highway in the Gajwel town of Medak District. This temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated on the banks of River Haridra, which is renowned for its curing properties. This ancient temple has several small shrines dedicated to other gods and goddesses, like Lord Shiva, Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lord Garuda.

6.  Archaeological Museum - Museum
The Archaeological Museum in the Kondapur town of Medak District is a popular attraction. This museum exhibits artefacts that were found during excavations conducted at this site. A wide collection of antiquities excavated between 1940 and 1942 has been displayed at the museum. The excavated material and artefacts displayed at the museum include items belonging to the Satavahana dynasty and few Buddhist structures. Henry Cousens, the famous archaeologist, was the first person to explore the site in the early 19th century. The site was later excavated by the Indian Government in 1940. The huge collection of discovered artefacts and antiques was kept in the museum established by the state government. The museum came under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1952. The museum is segregated into a central hall and two galleries. The main hall of the museum has antiquities, such as terracotta figurines, pottery and objects made from bones and shells. Metal objects,

7.  Medak Cathedral - Religious Place
The Medak Cathedral is located near the city centre of Medak. This church is considered as the seat of the Bishop and is counted amongst the largest churches in South India. The cathedral controls the Diocese of Medak, which is the second largest in the world and the single largest diocese in Asia. The church was consecrated on 25th December, 1924. The cathedral stands on the site where a small worshipping place for Christians was located during the 19th century. It was constructed on the orders of Charles Walker Posnett, an administrator of the British army soldiers at Trimulgherry. As Posnett was unsatisfied with the performance of the army, he shifted them to the Medak village. During that time Posnett had to travel from Hyderabad to Medak for administering his army. Finally, Posnett decided to construct a bungalow at Medak. For providing employment to the local people of the region, he ordered the construction of the church.

8.  Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple - Religious Place
Sri Venugopala Swamy temple at Kalabgoor village is in proximity to the Sangareddy town in Medak District. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Lord Venugopala Swamy and is renowned for its beautiful architecture and traditional rituals. The temple has stepped pyramidal type shikhara. Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple and Sri Kasi Vishweshwara temple are the other attractions located close to this temple.

9.  Medak Fort - Fort
The Medak Fort lies in Medak town which is the district headquarters of Medak District. The fort was initially known as Methuku Durgam and was constructed in the 12th century by the Kakatiyan rulers. Later, several modifications and renovations were done to the structure by the Qutub Shahi rulers. The architecture of the fort represents a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. The three main entrances of the fort are known as the Prathama Dwaram, Simha Dwaram and Gaja Dwaram. The huge boundary walls of the fort have several bastions carved from the rocks and boulders of the hillock. The fort has a 17th century mosque that was constructed by the Qutub Shahi rulers. These rulers also added a 3.2 m long cannon to the fort during the mid 17th century to secure the fort from the attack of neighbouring kingdoms.

10.  Koti Lingeswara Swamy Temple - Religious Place
Anantagiri Hills are popular sightseeing as well as picnic spots in the Medak District. These hills form a part of the Anantagiri Hill Range and are a popular hill station and an upcoming summer resort. This place mainly comprises ancient cave like structures and several bathing ghats. It is also home to the Ananthaswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Ananta Padhmanabha and is considered to have been built many centuries ago, by a Muslim king. This temple also depicts instances of the past of this land. Surroundings of these hills comprise thick forests providing a salubrious climate to the place.

11.  Edupayala Durga Bhavani Gudi - Religious Place
Edupayala Durga Bhavani Gudi is renowned for its beautiful shrine of Goddess Durga Bhavani, the Mother of the Universe. The place derives its name from the word Edupayalu, meaning seven streams. From the site, tourists can view the Manjira River splitting into seven small streams and again uniting into one. According to mythology, it is believed that King Janamejaya, grandson of Arjuna, organised the ?sarpa yagam' at the site for saving his father Parikshith from a curse. Evidences for the same were found in the form of a layer of ash in the Manjira River bed. The Jatara Fair and Mahashivaratri are celebrated here in the months of March and April.

12.  Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary - Sanctuary
The Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the shores of the Pocharam Lake. Spreading over an area of around 130 sq km, this sanctuary covers regions of Nizamabad and Medak districts. The sanctuary, having southern tropical mixed dry deciduous forests, provides natural habitat to five species of antelope and deer. This densely covered forest area is home to leopard, wild dog, forest cat, wolf, sloth bear, jackal, sambar and nilgai. The four horned antelope, chinkara and chital are some of the other animals inhabiting the sanctuary. The Pocharam Reservoir is the closest water body to the sanctuary, where birds like bar-headed goose, brahminy duck and painted stork can be spotted. The best time to visit this sanctuary is between the months of November and January.

13.  Ramalingeswara Temple - Religious Place
Ramalingeswara temple is a star shaped temple, constructed in the 11th century by the Chalukya rulers. This temple is situated in the Nandi Kandi in Medak District. The central hall of the temple has four beautifully sculptured pillars. The pillars and the walls of the hall are adorned with images of Lord Narasimha, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in various poses. Numerous images of Lord Varaha, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Mahishasura Mardini and Goddess Gaja Lakshmi can also been seen on the side walls. The sculptures depicting the apsaras, dikpalakas, rakshasas, matrumurti and darpan warriors adorn this temple.

14.  Pocharam Reservoir - Lake
The Pocharam Reservoir, also known as the Pocharam Dam Reservoir, is located around 14.6 km from the city centre of Medak. The reservoir was constructed between 1916 and 1922 across the Allair River, a tributary of the Manjira River. The Nizam's Bungalow, situated near the reservoir, was constructed in 1918. The island located in the centre of the reservoir is home to various species of shrubs. Boats are available near the reservoir for reaching the island.

15.  Shri Saraswathi Skshtramu - Religious Place
Shri Saraswathi Skshtramu is a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi. The temple is located in the city of Ananthasagar in Siddipet division. This temple was constructed by Sri Astakala Narasimha Rama Sharma.

16.  Gottam Gutta - Hill
Gottam Gutta, also known as the Gottam Gota, is situated near Zaheerabad town. This town has a thick vegetation cover of southern tropical mixed dry deciduous forest.

17.  Edithanur - Cave
Edithanur is a village known for its beautiful cave paintings that date back to the Neolithic era. There is a group of granite hillocks having tunnels, natural caves and cavities at the site. The rock paintings excavated from the site belong to the earliest human settlements and are preserved in the Archaeological Museum in Kondapur town.

18.  Velupugonda Sri Tumburunatha Devalayam - Religious Place
Velupugonda Sri Tumburunatha Devalayam was constructed by the Rastrakuta kings during their rule in the region. It is considered as one of the rarest temples of its kind and the presiding deity of this shrine is Sri Tumburunatha Swamy, the God of Music. The premises of the temple are adorned with the stone carved sculptures of men and women in different singing and dancing poses.

19.  Alladrug - Religious Place
Alladrug is famous for an ancient shrine of Veerabhadra, one of the incarnations of Lord Shiva. The major attraction of the temple is a huge carved idol of Nandi that is located in front of the entrance.


Festivals facilitate tourism in Medak

There are many historical temples in and around Medak. Of these the most famous are the Shri Saraswathi Kshetramu Temple, the Velupugonda Sri Tumbaurunatha Devalayam and the Edupayala Durga Bhavani Gudi. The temples are one reason the tourists flock to the town of Medak in large numbers. During the time of festivals the town is throbbing with activity and bursting at the seams to accommodate the countless number of devotees and tourists alike. Though the town has a predominantly Hindu population, all the festivals are celebrated here with the same fervor and devotion. It is little wonder then the town is a well known tourist destination.

Best time to visit Medak

The best months to visit Medak are October, November, December, January and February.

How to reach Medak

Medak can be reachable by air,road and train.