Telangana, the Youngest state of India, has a glorious history of more than two thousand years. What is now called Telangana, was once ruled by many powerful dynasties like the Mauryas, Satavahanas. Chalukyas and the very famous Kakatiyas. It was during the Kakatiya era that Telangana witnessed a golden period with respect to the development of art and architecture. Many temples were constructed during their reign, which served as social networks to people of all classes. The thousand pillar temple and Ramappa temple are living examples of the great Kakatiya architecture, with many marvels like floating stones and exquisitely carved sculptures adorning these beautiful shrines. Apart from these temples, the state of Telangana has many ancient temples including a Shaktipeetam in Alampur and one of the Pancha Narasimha Kshetrams. In this article, we shall discover more of these historical temples in Telangana and their incredible stories.
Famous Temples In Telangana State:
Check out these Telangana famous temples known for their architecture and historical facts:
TABLE OF CONTENT:
- Chilkur Balaji Temple.
- Sanghi Temple.
- Birla Mandir.
- Beechupally Anjaneya Swamy Temple.
- Gnana Saraswathi Temple.
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.
- Surendrapuri Temple.
- Karmanghat Hanuman Temple.
- Joginatha Temple.
- Bhadrachalam Temple.
- Thousand Pillar Temple.
- Ramappa Temple.
1. Chilkur Balaji Temple:
Being located on the outskirts of Telangana this temple is one of the many major influential temples in the region. The local people consider this temple as an epicenter of holy and non-material energy. According to legends if a worshiper or a visitor makes a wish in this temple after 11 Pradakshanas, then that wish comes true. People from all parts of the country come to visit this temple.The Lord is also called Visa Balaji and is it believed that a visit to this temple results in attaining a Visa to the US successfully.
- Address: Chilkur Village, Hyderabad, Telangana-500075.
- Timings: Open 5 am to 8 pm
- Dress Code: Strictly Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 3 Hours
- How To Reach: TSRTC special bus to Chilkur on Sundays, Connecting buses from Mehdipatnam and Patacheruvu
- Temple Website: http://www.chilkurbalaji.com/
- Best Time To Visit: Weekdays are the best times to visit this temple to avoid heavy crowds
- Other Attractions: Shopping outside the temple with stalls selling small wares, toys and puja items
2. Sanghi Temple:
This temple is located in a place called Sanghi Nagar in Telangana. This place is about 30km away from Hyderabad. The temple is located on the top of a hill and gets tons of devoted visitors every day. Visitors also have the privilege to experience the beautiful scenery around the hills while they head for this magnificent temple. The beauty of this temple attracts people from all over the globe.
- Address: Omerkhandaira, Hyderabad, Telangana 501511
- Timings: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach: It is located in Sanghi Nagar which is 30 KM from Hyderabad. You can hire a bus or taxi to reach the place
- Temple Website: http://sanghitemple.in/
- Best Time To Visit: Weekdays are the best times to visit this temple to avoid heavy crowds
- Other Attractions: This temple has a magnificent view of the surroundings. It is also famous for its large number of steps to climb up.
3. Birla Mandir:
The Birla Mandir or Temple located in Telangana is considered to be one of the most beautiful worship sites of India. The temple is built on a 13acres land and It took about 10 years to complete the construction and was named after Birla Foundation, who got the temple constructed with more than 2000 tons of white marble. The temple houses the statues of Lord Padmavati, Andal, and Venkateshwara and is located on a hillock called NaubathPahad.
- Address: Hill Fort Road, Ambedkar Colony, Khairatabad, Hyderabad, Telangana-500004.
- Timings: Open 7 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 9 pm.
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach: 10 minutes from Lakdi-ka-pul bus stop or take a direct auto or cab to the location
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Any Day
- Other Attractions: Birla Planetarium and Birla Science Museum
4. Beechupally Anjaneya Swamy Temple:
This is one of the most visited temples of Telangana. The shrine is situated on the banks of River Krishna and includes a number of Ghats which are used for Pushkarasnanam. It was developed after a connecting bridge was constructed in the 1950’s between Telangana and Rayalaseema on NH 44.This temple is visited by a number of devotees every year and is considered as one of the most popular temples in the country.
- Address: NH 44, Beechupalli, Telangana 509125
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Dress Code: No Dress Code
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hours
- How To Reach: It is located 48 Km from Kurnool and 165 KM from Hyderabad. You can hire a taxi and take a diversion on NH 44 to directly get into the temple campus.
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Hanuman Jayanti and other important Hindu festivals
- Other Attractions:Temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Rama nearby
5. Gnana Saraswathi Temple:
This temple is situated in a place called Basar in Telangana. This Saraswathi temple in Telangana displays the holy trinity, that is the deities of three mighty goddesses which are goddess Saraswathi, Kali, Lakshmi. Because of this temple, Basar is considered as a holy spot and gets tons of devotes on a daily basis.It is also one of the two main Saraswathi temples in India, with the first one located in Jammu. As Saraswathi is the goddess of learning, many children are brought to this place for Akshara abhyasam.
- Address: Mudhole Mandal, Adilabad District, Basar, Telangana 504101
- Timings: 4:30 AM to 12:13 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach: The best option is to opt for railways with Basar railway station just 14 KM from the temple.
- Temple Website: http://www.basaratemple.org/
- Best Time To Visit: Mahasivarathri, Navarathri and Vasantha Panchami
- Other Attractions: Mahankali idol in the first floor of the temple and idol of Goddess Saraswathi on nearby mountain
6. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple:
Located over a hillock in Nalgonda district, this temple is one of the most famous Lakshmi Narasimha swamy temples in Telangana. The temple displays an incarnation of the mighty Lord Vishnu which is very beautiful. It is also known as Yadadri or Yadagirigutta temple and is located about 120 KM from Suryapet. The temple is located in a cave which is 12 X 30 feet. Throughout the year, there is a constant rush of devotees into this temple. Some of them are simply tourists who come to admire the architecture of this temple and the surrounding beauty.
- Address: Mudhole Mandal, Adilabad District, Basar, Telangana 504101
- Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:45 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 Hours
- How To Reach:It is located 62 KM from Hyderabad on Warangal Highway
- Temple Website: www.yadagiriguttasrilakshminarasimhaswamy.org
- Best Time To Visit: Narasimha Jayanti and other prominent Hindu festivals
- Other Attractions: Many subshrines within the temple and shopping outside the campus
See More: Beautiful Waterfalls in Telangana
7. Surendrapuri Temple:
Among the many temples in Telangana, the Surendrapuri Temple is of special significance. This temple beholds the mighty statue of Lord Hanuman along with other Gods and Goddesses. This is basically a museum of Hindu mythology and was created by Sri Kunda Satyanarayana. It contains the life-size replicas of almost all important Hindu temples and mythological scenes with characters. One can get a feel of what the other worlds would look and feel like by visiting this place.
- Address: Surendrapuri, Yadadri Road, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri District Yadadri, Telangana 508115
- Timings: 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Dress Code: No Dress Code
- Approx. Visit Duration: 3-4 Hours and entry ticket of Rs.350 per adult, Rs.300 per child
- How To Reach: It is located around 60 KM from Hyderabad on the road to Yadagirigutta
- Temple Website: www.surendrapuri.in/
- Best Time To Visit: Any day is good. But avoid weekdays due to heavy crowds
- Other Attractions: The 60 feet double sided Panchamukha Anjaneya swamy which welcomes you to the museum
8. Karmanghat Hanuman Temple:
Another popular Hanuman temple called the Karmaghat Hanuman Temple is also situated in Telangana. This is also one of the old temples in Telangana that is built in 12th Century AD. Lord Hanuman is worshipped as Dyana Hanuman, or Peaceful Hanuman. As per history, it is said that a Kakatiya ruler was resting in this place and heard someone chant the name of Rama and found the idol of Hanuman. This is very popular among devotees who believe in the power of the diety.
- Address: Karmanghat, Hyderabad, Telangana-500079.
- Timings: Open 6 am to 12 pm and 4 am to 8 pm
- Dress Code: Strictly Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hour
- How To Reach: 12 Km from MGBS bus stop or direct taxis
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Sri Rama Navami, Hanuma Jayanti, Ugadi, Shivaratri
- Other Attractions:Dwajastambas inside the temple and smaller shrines of Jagannadaswamy, Ganesha and Navagrahas.
9. Joginatha Temple:
Located at a distance of 38km from Medak, this shrine is dedicated to Lord Joginatha and is considered as one of the most well-built and attractive Shiva temples in Telangana. The unique feature of this temple are the two Lingas of Shiva and Parvati that are located next to each other. Unlike the other Shiva lingams, these Lingas have no pedestals and are directly placed on the ground.
- Address: Jogipet, Medak
- Timings: 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hour
- How To Reach: 38 KM from Medak and 68 KM from Hyderabad. You can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Annual Joginatha festival that happens between March-April
- Other Attractions: Many temples nearby to visit
10. Bhadrachalam Temple:
Located on the banks of the river Godavari, Bhadrachalam is one of the ancient temples in Telangana. It is a place of worship of Sri Rama Chandra Murthy, or Lord Sri Ram. The idol is said to be a self-manifested vigraha discovered by a tribal woman in the forest. This temple was constructed by the Tahsildar Kancherla Gopanna during Tanisha’s rule.It is also considered to be one of the Divya Kshetrams of Godavari and is often called the Dakshina Ayodhya.
- Address: District Khammam, Bhadrachalam, Telangana 507111
- Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Dress Code: Strictly Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hour
- How To Reach: Kothagudem is the nearest bus stop from where a number of buses connect to Bhadrachalam
- Temple Website: http://www.bhadrachalarama.org/
- Best Time To Visit: Sri Rama Navami Brahmotsavams
- Other Attractions:Many tourist spots near the temple
11. Thousand Pillar Temple:
The city of Warangal is one of the most prominent historical sites of Telangana. This place hosts some of the most famous temples known for their art and architecture. Thousand Pillar temple at Hanumakonda is a classic example of the Kakatiya craftmanship. The 1000 pillars are intricately carved in stone with perforated screens, motifs, and other sculptures.This is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site along with Warangal Fort and Ramappa temple.
- Address: Warangal-Hyderabad Rd, Brahmanawada, Hanamkonda, Telangana 506011
- Timings: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 Hour
- How To Reach: Nearest bus stop is Hanumakonda which is just 1.5 KM from the temple
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: Mahasivarathri
- Other Attractions:The incredible architecture itself is a major attraction of the temple
12. Ramappa Temple:
Also known as Ramalingeshwara temple, Ramappa temple is located in the village of Palampet. It was built by General Recherla Rudra during the Kakatiya era under the rule of King Ganapati Deva. The unique feature of this temple is that the exteriors are built with red sandstone with life-like carvings of many mythical creatures.The speciality of the architecture in this temple is the fine carvings on the pillars with holes so intricate that a needle can pass through them freely.
- Address: Palampet, Telangana 506345
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Dress Code: No Dress Code
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1-2 Hour
- How To Reach: You can hire a taxi from Warangal which is 77 KM from the temple
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time To Visit: There are no special days for this temple
- Other Attractions: The beautiful sculptures of nymphs and musicians are sure to captivate you
Expert Questions and Answers:
1. Is There any Shaktipeetam in Telangana?
Among the 108 Shakti Peetams, Jogulamba Devi temple in Alampur district is quite famous in Telangana. It is believed to be the same place where the upper teeth of Sathidevi fell on earth. The temple is constructed on the banks of the Tungabhadra river and is said to be constructed in 1100’s.
2. What is Medaram Jatara?
Medaram Jatara is the tribal festival celebrated in the honour of the tribal Goddesses Samakka and Sarakka. It is performed in Medaram and hence gets the name. It is also Asia’s biggest tribal festival which attracts lakhs of people from all over the country to witness these incredible celebrations.
3. What is The Specialty of Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal?
Bhadhrakali temple is located in Warangal, which worships Goddess Parvati in the form of Bhadrakali. It is one of the oldest temples around and is said to be built in 625 AD. An interesting fact about this shrine is that the much-celebrated Kohinoor diamond which is now a property of the British Royalty has once adorned the left eye of the idol.
The list of Telangana temples does not end here. There are many more famous temples which are worth paying a visit. The interesting fact about Telangana is that it derives it names from Trilinga Desam- meaning the three main shiva temples namely Kaleshwaram, Srisailam and Draksharamam. Such is the connection of this state to temples. Every single temple has a fascinating tale behind them. While some were destroyed by the Bahmanis and Islamic invasions, there are many others which have withstood the test of time. These structures are timeless beauties, which can make generations of people ruminate the stories of their past. We hope you will visit some of these and do a time travel. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us.
