Best Places to Visit in Wanaparthy – Temples, Forts & Scenic Attractions

1.Saralasagar Project

Sarala Sagar Project in Wanaparthy District, Telangana, is unique due to the use of siphon system, and it is the second largest project in siphon system in the Asia. Irrigating a total of 4182 acres, the project is located in Madanapur Mandal, about 20 kilometers from the district headquarters. Started by Raja Rameshwara Rao of Wanaparthy, he adopted the siphon technology from California, USA.

Key Features and History:

Unique Siphon System:
What differentiates this project is its siphon technology, which used to come from California, USA.

Early Construction:
Raja Rameshwara Rao initiated the project in 1947 which was completed totally by 1959.

Water Source:
The project derives its water from the Krishna River directly.

Irigation Benefits:
The major part of the irrigated land is found in and around the Madanapur Mandal.

Recent Repairs:
Telangana’s Mission Kakatiya Phase-III has identified desilting and guide wall restoration as prime missions.

Location:
The project is located near the Hyderabad-Bangalore National Highway and it is about 6 Km from Kothakota Mandal Headquarters.

2.Wanaparthy Palace

Wanaparthy Palace or Mustafa Mahal is important in the history of Wanaparthy, Telangana, India. The palace was built in the beginning of the twentieth century and its original inhabitants were the Wanaparthy Samsthanam rulers. The historic building is now housing K.D.R. Government Polytechnic College (KDRGP) in Wanaparthy.

Key Features:

Location: Situated in the administrative center of Wanaparthy district.

Historical Significance: This palace is a reminder of those days when the Wanaparthy Samsthanam was in power.

Architectural Style: The style of its design embraces the blend of European and Indian building tradition.

Other Names: Mustafa Mahal is named after a Muslim saint.

Raja Rameshwar Rao II: During the 20 th century the palace was the residence of Raja Rameshwar Rao II, the ruler of Wanaparthy.

3.Pangal Fort

Pangal fort is famous among the renowned Telangana Hill forts. The fort was built by the Kalyani Chalukya Kings between 11th and 12th centuries. With seven gateways it occupies a gigantic territory covering hundreds of acres. Main entrance is called Mundlagavini and is a significant attracting feature of this fort. Its construction required use of huge granite rocks.

Among the ruins there are a number of impressive monuments that feature fine architecture made, such as Uyyala Mandapam and other water sources. Many rough battles were fought between Bahamani, Vijayanagara, Padmanayaka, and Qutub Shahis dynasties at this fort. There was guerrilla warfare at the fort during the uprising against the Nizam.

The important feature of the fort is the extent and complexity of the area. Surrounding hundreds of acres of a wild hilly land that is covered in prickly vegetation, this site is syrrounded by seven entry points. It has a good number of smaller ponds, curious rock formations and intriguing rock formations. The fort is presently deserted, with plenty of greenery all over it, and it is in disrepair. The Kalyani Chalukya, Bahmani, Padmanayaka, Reddiraajulu, Qutb Shahis, and a variety of other local warlords all governed the fort. >Thanks to the introduction of the cannon, the humble hill forts became useless for housing important military forces, and were therefore abandoned. Each of these forts was irresistible during guerrilla warfare since they consorted with the small bands of rebels revolting against the Nizams.

Pangal is easily accessible from Wanaparthy, a distance of 15 km. The trek commences at Pangal village and because it is so straightforward, it leaves the tourists with just under two hours on the ascent to the top and an extended journey back to the village.

The site is 1.5 km away from Pangal Bus Station, 15 km away from Wanaparthy Bus Station and 74 km away from Mahab.

More Details:

Location: Pangal village, Wanaparthy District, Telangana.

Historical Significance: Built by Kalyani Chalukya Kings.

Notable Features: Visitors are able to view seven entrances, the unique Mundlagavini main entry made of granite, Uyyala Mandapam, the present water bodies and different parts of architectural ruins that remain behind.

Distance from Wanaparthy: About 15 kilometers from the Wanaparthy Bus Station.

Accessibility: One can easily get to peak and explore in 2 hours trek from Pangal village.

Historical Events: Has been the site of wars between rival dynasties of Bahamani, Vijayanagara, Padmanayaka, and Qutub Shahis.

Guerrilla Warfare: During the revolution against the Nizam, guerrilla warfare also took place at the fort.

4.Ghanpur Fort

History

The following dynasties ruled in 13 century and what is known now as Khilla Ghanpur or Ghanpur in Wanaparthy district, i.e. Recherla Padmanayaka, Malyala and Gona dynasties. The feudatory rulers to the Kakatiya kings were Recherla Padmanayaka, Gona and Malyala kings. This Khilla Ghanpur, has a fort and a lake ( Ganapa Samudram ) which was built when the Kakatiya dynasty ruled. When Rudrama Devi was King, the King Malyala Gunda Dandadeeshudu (also known as Malyala Gundanna) built the lake –the Ganapa Samudram. Malyala Gunda Dandadeeshudu had married Gona Budda Reddy’s daughter.

The Gona and Malyala dynasties were in loyalty to Kakatiya rulers. Gona budda Redddy’s children anchored to three sons and one daughter. Gona Ganapa Reddy (Gona Ganna Reddy), Gona Kacha Reddy, Gona Vitalanatha, and Kuppambika were his brothers and sister. Poets Kacha Reddy and Vitalanatha Reddy the sons of Gona Budda Reddy joined hands and completed the Ranganatha Ramayanam which was brought out by Gona Budda Reddy. Gona Budda Reddy was first to write Ranganatha Ramayanam in Telugu literature. The poem has been written with Dwipada Chandassu style. The daughter of Gona Budda Reddy married Malyala Gunda Dandadeeshudu.

In the wake of Gona Budda Reddy’s death Gona Lakuma reddy took over the kingdom. Gona Lakuma Reddy was not loyal to Kakatiya kings. Seeing that his uncle Lakuma Reddy had not been loyal to the Kakatiya kings, Gona Ganna Reddy claimed the kingdom of Vardhamaan. After the rule of Gona Ganna Reddy, his brother-in-law Malyala Gundanna became the rule of Vardhamanapuram. Malyala Gundanna built some lakes under the guidance of his brother in law Gona Ganna Reddy when Rudrama Devi was in power.

The Malyala Kings have the major holdings at Buddapuram (now popularly known as Bhoothpur) and Vardhamana Puram (located around – Bijinapalle). These kings helped Kakatiya kings in numerous battles when Ganapathi Deva, Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra reigned. When Malyala Gundanna died, his wife Malyala Kuppambika completed the work of constructing a temple known as Buddeshwaralayam in Bhoothpur.

5.Sri Ranganayaka Swamy Temple

Sri Ranganayakaswamy Temple is located at the town of Srirangapur close to the Wanaparthy District. The Sri Ranganayakaswamy Temple is built during the 18th century A.D.

As a legend tells us, Srirangam was visited by King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar, who was extremely impressed by the Sri Ranganayakaswamy Temple. He desired to build a Ranganayakaswamy temple in his country. Afterwards, a dream was experienced by the king by Ranganayaka (Lord Vishnu), indicating that king’s Idol has been hidden in his country and that an eagle would guide him to find it. The next day, Krishnadevaraya traced the eagle and found the Lord’s idol in between the Kothakota and Kanvayapally mountains. The king built the Sri Ranganayakaswamy Temple near Ratna Pushkarini Lake. Built down the time of the Vijayanagar, the temple is known for its characteristic Vijayanagar architectural styles. The building of temple was done by the Rajas of Wanaparthi Samsthanam, constructed on the bund of Ratna Pushpakarini lake.

This destination is given national importance. There is a constant stream of pilgrim and tourist traffic from the areas near the borders of Karnataka (Gulbarga,Raichur, Sindanur) and Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

The temple performs a wide variety of wedding rituals for villagers from the neighbouring regions and mandals; in a year, on average, there are 300 marriages. During the year, around 500 people attend marriages on the grounds of the temple. The temple performs tonsure ceremonies averaging nearly 1,000 in a year. Throughout the nine days of Navaratrulu approximately 20,000 tourist visit each day on average. As many as 5000 people daily visit the temple during the month-long Kotai Vutsavalu celebrations at Sankranthi. Moreover, the celebration of ‘Rathotsavam’ which is also held in March is for a period of 15 days and an average of 20,000 people visit the destination daily. The daily tourist figure of Sravana Masam exceeds 5,000 owing to presence of a body of water in proximity to the temple.

During every summer and winter season and the academic vacation period, the number of tourists visiting the temple increases quite high for 2-3 months. On average, 2,000 visitors patronize the temple during the summer, winter, and school vacations.

Temple Timings: The temple opens from 6:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon, and between 4:00 and 8:00 in the evening.

Temple Address:
Sri Ranganayaka Swamy Temple,
Srirangapuram Village,
Pebbair Mandal,
Wanaparthy District,
Telangana State-509105

Related articles : Best Places to Visit in Vikarabad – Ananthagiri Hills, Temples & Nature Escapes