TRIP BLOG
Photo: Kithnkin · CC BY-SA 3.0
Forest trails in the Ananthagiri Hills, Medak Cathedral and the Nizam Sagar dam, Basara's Saraswati temple, Elgandal Fort and Komuravelli.
A loop through north Telangana that most travellers skip. Two hours from Hyderabad, the Ananthagiri Hills have forest trails, viewpoints and cooler air, especially after the monsoon. Day two reaches Medak Cathedral, a towering Gothic church that is one of the largest in India, and ends at the Nizam Sagar dam. On day three the road goes north to Basara on the Godavari, home to one of India's few Saraswati temples, where families bring children to begin their education; then east to Elgandal Fort above the Manair river near Karimnagar. The last day stops at the Komuravelli Mallanna temple on the way back to Hyderabad. Roads are good, but distances add up, so start each day early.
A forested hill area near Vikarabad, Ananthagiri Hills is the source of the Musi river and is home to the Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple. Trekking trails, viewpoints and cool weather make it a popular weekend escape from Hyderabad.
Built between 1914 and 1924 under the British Methodist missionary Charles Walker Posnett, Medak Cathedral is one of the largest churches in Asia. Its Gothic Revival tower rises about 53 metres, and its stained-glass windows show scenes from the life of Christ. It draws large crowds at Christmas.
Built across the Manjira river in 1931 under the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Nizam Sagar is one of the oldest dams in Telangana. Gardens and a long walkway along the dam look out over the wide reservoir, and it is a favourite picnic spot after the rains.
On the banks of the Godavari, the Gnana Saraswati temple at Basar is one of the few major temples in India dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. Parents bring young children for the Akshara Abhyasam ceremony, where they write their first letters before starting school.
On a hill above the Manair river near Karimnagar, Elgandal Fort was ruled by the Kakatiyas, the Qutb Shahis and the Nizams. Its walls, mosque and minarets survive, and the view from the top over the river is wide.
Set in a cave on a small hill, the Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, known as Mallanna, is one of the most popular folk shrines of Telangana. Its long festival season from Sankranti to Ugadi draws crowds each Sunday, with songs and rituals led by Oggu storytellers.
Seasons from 20 years of NASA POWER climate data.
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