Monday, 5 September 2011

Karimnagar Tours


Rajarajeshwara Temple
Vemulawada is situated at about 11 kms to the NorthEast of Sirsilla and 36kms from the Karimnagar on the Karimnagar, KamaReddy bus route. Buses ply regularly from Karimnagar, KamaReddy and Hyderabad. This place owes its importance to the sacred and famous temple of Sri Rajarajeswara, an incarnation of Lord Siva. There is a Koneru known as Dharmagundam, the waters of which have some curative properties thousands of piligrims from all parts of the state congrgate here especially during Mahasivaratri and Kalyanotsavam of the deity. The income of the temple is said to exceed 3 to 4 lakhs of rupees every year. A great part of it is derived during the course of these festivals. The other shrines of importance are that of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, Bhimeshwara Swamy, Kodanda Ramaswamy, Kasi Visweswara and Rajaswari. Apart from these there is a tomb of Muslim saint.

Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple and the Mosque inside the premises Vemulawada, located 150 km from Hyderabad is known for Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple. It is one of the very few temples devoted to Lord Siva. Popularly known as Dakshana Kashi (Benaras of South India) the temple attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the country. The Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple is a fine example of communal harmony where both Hindus and Muslims offer obeisance to Lord Siva and Allah. The temple at Vemulawada is next only to Tirupati in terms of its revenues. The temple contributes Rs. 8 lakhs anually to the gram Panchayat for developmental activities in the pilgrim town. Special arrangements are made for the pilgrims during the festival. Several cultural and social activities are also organised by the authorities. Free boarding and lodging is provided to the students. Besides, the temple also offers donations for other small temples. On the Sivaratri day, a record three to four lakh pilgrims through the sacred temple at Vemulawada. Special poojas and darshans are held to mark the festivity. Mahalingarchana is performed by about hundred archakas. At midnight Ekadasa Rudrabhishekham is performed to the deity. The temple is brightly illuminated in the night, presenting an aesthetic look.

The puranic version has it that Lord Siva after having stayed at Kashi, Chidambaram, Srisailam and Kedareswaram chose to reside at Vemulawada. History records that Vemulawada was ruled by successive dynasties - the Ikshwakus, the Satavahanas and later by the Chalukyas who made it their state capital. The presiding deity is Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy, also called Rajanna. To the right of the presiding deity is the idol of Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi and to the left is the idol of Sri Laxmi Sahitha Siddi Vinayaka. In the temple premises there is a holy tank called the Dharma Gundam. Three mandapas were constructed on it and the statue of Lord Eshwara resides in the middle. The Lord is seen in a meditation posture with five lingas surrounding the holy tank. The lighting of the holy lamp or Ganda Deepam is also considered auspicious by the devotees visiting the shrine. Although devotees make offerings to the presiding diety in different ways, the most important one is Kode Mokku (offering of bull to God). The devotees who bring the bull take them round the temple and tie it somewhere in the temple complex. The significance of this ritual is that devotees will be cleansed of their sins and they can beget children. This temple attracts followers of both Vaishnavism (worshippers of Vishnu), and Saivism (worshippers of Siva), and is also being frequented by Jains and Buddists. The sculptures on the temples also depict the cultures of Jainism and Buddhism. A unique feature of the temple at Vemulawada is that it also houses a 400 year old mosque inside its premises. It is believed that the mosque was built as a tribute to a muslim devot.

Kaleshwaram
Mukteshwara Swamy Temple

This pictureque spot, surrounded by thick forests is located 130 Kms from Karimnagar, 32 Kms from Manthani and lies on the confluence of the River Pranahitha and the River Godavari. The ancient temple dedicated to Mukteshwara swamy is of special significance as two Shivalinga's are found on a single pedestal. Besides several temples situated here the one dedicated to Brahma is rather uncommon Dharmapuri Travel Information On the banks of River Godavari, 78 Kms from Karimnagar, is the 15th century temple town of Dharmapuri. According to the legend king Bali Verma performed the Dharma Devta Yagna. He wanted all his people to follow and live according to Dharma. Hence this village got its name as Dharmapuri. It was an ancient seat of learning languages, literature, dance and music. Among the prominent temples in the town are the 13th century Sri Lakshmi Narsimha Swamy temple, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple, Sri Ramallingeshwara Swamy temple where Shiva & Vishnu temples exist side by side. River Godavari adds to the scenic splendour.

Dharmapuri
Narasimhaswamy
Dharmapuri is situated at a distance of about 48kms. from Jagityal town and 51 Kms. from Peddapalle railway station on the Kazipet_Balharsha Section of the south Central Railway. Dharmapuri attained religious importance owing to the existence of the shrine dedicated to Narasimhaswamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Siva With Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka and Sapitha Mathrukas carved on a single slab of stone and Mahishasuramardhani, the sixty pillared temple, Mahalakshmi temple and Akkapalle Rajanna temple are the other temples of importance that heighten the sancity of the places of tourist interest in the State and the kalyanotsavam of Lakshminarasimhaswamy celebrated during February-March attracts nearly a lakh of piligrims.

Nagunur Fort
This fort ramparts were once alive with the sounds of a bustling town and people of the Kakatiya Empire. The fort is testimony to the imperial powers of the Kakatiyas. It was one of the most important forts of the emerging Kakatiya empire and contains ruins of a cluster of Kalyana & Kakathiya temples. The pillars and galleries around the Shiva temple here are worth seeing. The most important temple in the complex is the Shiva temple which has three shrines. The main entrance to the temple is on the northern side and the three shrines face the other three directions. The beams of the temple have sculptured images of musicians playing on Mridangam and other instruments. Panels are carved with visuals of dancers in graceful poses. The village of Nagunur is just about 8 kms from Karimnagar Town. Manthani Travel Information Manthani, 70 Kms from Karimnagar is situated on the banks of river Godavari. This is a very ancient center of Vedic learning and even today there are many scholars well versed in Vedas & Sastras. Among several temples situated here the important ones are of Lord Saileshwara, Laxminarayana Swamy, Omkeshwara Swamy & Mahalaxmi. It is also a main centre for Jainism & Buddhism. Dhulikatta Travel Information 20 Kms from Karimnagar is Dhulikatta an important Buddhist spot visited by monks from all over the world. Many Buddhist stupas of the Satavahana period are found here. The 3 day Satavahana festival in conducted in the month of January every year.

Kondagattu
Hanuman Temple
Kondagattu Travel Information About 35Kms from Karimnagar is this breathtaking temple of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Situated amidst hills, valleys & water springs Kondagattu is blessed by nature and very scenic. According to the folklore, the temple was constructed by a cowherd some 300 years ago. The present day temple has been built 160 years ago by Krishna Rao Deshmukh. It is believed that if a women offers puja for 40 days at this temple then she will be blessed with a child. Apart from the temple, the fort of Kondalaraya & Bojjapotana caves are worth seeing at Kondagattu. Raikal Travel Information Located 75Kms from Karimnagar the ancient temple of Kesavanatha Swamy is situated here. Built in the 11th century A. D. by the Kakatiyas the temple has beautiful sculptures. Another interesting temple is that of Panchamukhalingeshwara Swamy (Lord Shiva wit five faces) which is believed to be one of the only two existing, the other being at Kasi. Besides there is a temple of Bhimanna in whose honour an annual Jatra is held for 3 days during January - February. Molangoor Quilla 30 Kms from Karimnagar, strategically located on summit of a big isolated granite hill, this for was built by the Kakathiyas. The ruins of palaces, garrions, stables and other structures stand as mute witnesses to the valour and pride of the fort.

Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 10 Kms Manthani, 80 Kms from Karimnagar & 50 Kms from Mancherial is the Shivaram wildlife sanctuary. This 37 sq.Kms riverine forest mixed with teak & terminalia is home to Marsh Crocodiles of river Godavari
. It also harbours Panthers, Sloth Bears, Nilgari, Black Buck, Cheetal, Python & Langoor. The undulating natural terrain adds to the beauty of the sanctuary.

Kothakonda (Bheemadevarpalle)
This village is situated at a distance of 35kms from Huzurabad. As it surrounded on all sides by hills,the only means of convayance to the village is by bullock-cart.On a hillrock at the place,there are ruins of big fort with huge gateways bearing beatiful architecture resembling that of the Kakatiyas. There are five ponds on the top of the spacious hill.Of these, two are reported to contain water even under severe drought conditions.The temple of Veerabadraswamy at the foot of the Kalyanotsavam celebrated in honour of the deity for 10 days from Pushya Bahula Panchami attaccts about 50,000 pilgrims.

Elagandal Fort
It
is situated on the banks of the Manair river amidst palm groves at a distance of 10kms from Karimnagar on the KamaReddy road. This place is historically important because 5 important dynamic sites ruled over this place. The antiquities of the place worth mentioning are 1.A fort on a hill.2.Brindavan tank on the outside of the eastern gateway of the fort by Zafar-ud-Doula in 1754 A.D. with minarets that oscillate when shaken and toms of the Muslim saints like syed Shah Munawar Quadri saheb, Doola Shah saheb, syed Maroof Saheb, Shah Talib Bismilla Saheb and Vali Hyder saheb. On the 11th and 12th days of Moharram, and annual Urs of these saint's is celebrated by the Muslims and Hindus alike with great reverence and people from far off places participate in it. Besides, there are temples of Nelakantha Swamy and Narasimha Swamy.

Ujjwala Park
It is situated on the banks of the Manair river amidst palm groves at a distance of 10kms from Karimnagar on the KamaReddy road. This place is historically important because 5 important dynamic sites ruled over this place. The antiquities of the place worth mentioning are 1.A fort on a hill.2.Brindavan tank on the outside of the eastern gateway of the fort by Zafar-ud-Doula in 1754 A.D. with minarets that oscillate when shaken and toms of the Muslim saints like syed Shah Munawar Quadri saheb, Doola Shah saheb, syed Maroof Saheb, Shah Talib Bismilla Saheb and Vali Hyder saheb. On the 11th and 12th days of Moharram, and annual Urs of these saint's is celebrated by the Muslims and Hindus alike with great reverence and people from far off places participate in it. Besides, there are temples of Nelakantha Swamy and Narasimha Swamy.

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