Map In My Pocket

Month: September 2018

8 Tourist Places near Hyderabad within 100 Kms
Looking for short road trips from Hyderabad that can be done in a day? Here is a low down on places to visit near Hyderabad within 100 Kilometres. Indulge in a road trip and an adventure holiday all in one day for here are offbeat trekking destinations and beautiful camping spots just outside of the city that are just perfect for the coming winter weekends.

1. Bhoodan Pochampally

Distance from Hyderabad | 42 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – February. Anytime, but summers tend to be very hot.

Bhoodan Pochampally, a cluster of villages an hours drive from Hyderabad, is where the famous Ikat weave comes from. The jagged triangles of the typical Ikat pattern is probably the most loved and recognisable of Indian textile patterns. So, head to Bhoodan Pochampally not just to shop directly from the cooperative but also for a glimpse into the village life of these Telangana weavers.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Bhoodan Pochampally
- Telangana Tourism’s Rural Tourism Complex
- Weaver’s Colony
- Pochampally Lake
Tourist Places around Bhoodan Pochampally
- Ramoji Film City
Getting There

Take the NH65 from Hyderabad to get to Bhoodan Pochampally. You can also take the Sagar Road.

2. Bhongir Fort

Distance from Hyderabad | 48 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit |October – February. Cooler months of winter.

In Bhuvanagiri (which has now come to be Bhongir) stands a fort, aloof and proud, on a monolithic rock almost the size of a hill. Just getting to this 10th century fort involves scaling this rock, which is a climb of nearly three hours alternating over rough cut steps hewn into the stone and a bit of scampering about. Making Bhongir a hotspot for the adventure seekers of Hyderabad.

Things to Do at Bhongir Fort
- Trekking
- Rapelling
Tourist Places around Bhongir Fort
- Yadagirigutta
Getting There

Take the NH163 Hyderabad towards Nalgonda to get to Bhongir Fort.

3. Wargal

Distance from Hyderabad | 52 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit |All year round.

Of the few temples in India dedicated to the Goddess of Knowledge, Saraswati; two are to be found in Telangana itself. First of these being the ancient Gnana Saraswati Devi Temple in Basara. The second and newer one is in the town of Wargal in Siddipet. There is also a Veda Pathashala (School of Vedic Instruction) that resides here at the Vidya Saraswati Temple. The HIndu religious rite marking the start of a child’s formal education – Aksharabhyasam – drawing people from across the state to this temple.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Wargal
- Wargal Sri Vidya Saraswati Temple
Getting There

Take the Karimnagar-Hyderabad Highway via Shamirpet towards Siddipet, to reach Wargal from Hyderabad.

4. Yadagirigutta

Distance from Hyderabad | 62 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit |October – February.

Yadagirigutta is one of the most popular family weekend getaways from Hyderabad. Ask a Hyderabadi (locals from the city) for road trip ideas and Yadagirigutta would be the first suggestion you will hear. Its popularity comes from the temple on a hillock smack in the middle of this town in Nalgonda district. Built entirely in stone, the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is probably the only temple to have as its presiding deity, three different forms of Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Yadagirigutta
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Pathagutta Temple (Old Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple )
Tourist Places around Yadagirigutta
- Surendrapuri Mythological Park
Getting There

Take the NH163 from Hyderabad via Bhongir to reach Yadagirigutta.

Plan your Trip to Yadagirigutta

Bhongir – Yadagirigutta can be done together over a weekend with Yadagirigutta as the base or even Yadagirigutta – Kolanupaka. The Telangana Tourism run Haritha Hotel Yadagirigutta is a good place to stay.

5. Kolanupaka

Distance from Hyderabad | 78 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit |October – February.

Once a significant centre of Jainism, Kolanupaka’s major draw is its endearingly beautiful Jain Temple that is over two thousand years old. The Manastambha of this temple has engraved into it inscriptions from the 1125 AD hinting at its past glory. There is also a Someswara Swamy Temple here from the Kakatiya Era, whose courtyard serves as a museum of ancient stone sculptures.

Travellers Tip | The Kulpakji being a Svetambara Temple, it is advisable to dress in white if you plan to go inside the temple.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Kolanupaka
- Kulpakji Jain Temple
- Someswara Swamy Temple & Museum
Tourist Places around Kolanupaka
- Yadagirigutta
Getting There

Take the NH163 from Hyderabad and drive further beyond Bhongir and Yadagirigutta to get to Kolanupaka.

6. Ananthagiri Hills

Distance from Hyderabad | 80 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – October. Monsoon for the greens.

Hyderabad’s very own hill station (or as close to it as it gets), Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad is a lush green canopy of forests, clear fresh water streams and mist laden mornings. A popular spot for camping, star gazing, forest treks and bird watching, Ananthgiri Hills is the best possible weekend getaway from Hyderabad for nature lovers who love being outdoors.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Ananthagiri Hills
- Forest Trails
- Birding
- Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple
Tourist Places around Ananthagiri Hills
- Nagasamudram Lake (Kotepally Reservoir) for Kayaking
Getting There

Take the ORR from Hyderabad and get on to the Chevella Road towards Vikarabad to get to Ananthagiri Hills.

Plan your Trip to Ananthagiri Hills

Ananthagiri Hills is a good place to even stay overnight and explore it over a weekend. There is a popular camping site run by Deccan Trails here and also the Haritha Valley View Resort run by Telangana Tourism.

7. Medak

Distance from Hyderabad | 80 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | All year round.

Medak Church

From crowded tourist landmarks to forgotten lakes and heritage discovery, there is more to Medak than meets the eye. While the Medak Church which is this district’s most popular landmark and Asia’s largest diocese is believed to be second only to the Vatican. There is also a fort, a lake and a wildlife sanctuary here with a deer breeding centre that allows visitors to drive through a four kilometre jungle trail to spot the Chital, Barasingha and the Sambar Deer.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Medak
- Medak Fort
- Medak Church
- Pocharam Dam & Lake
- Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
Tourist Places around Medak
- Edupayala Vana Durga Bhavani Temple
- Manjeera Dam
Getting There

Take the NH44 from Hyderabad and at Kompally turn left to go via the Narsapur Forest Range – the scenic route – to Medak.

Plan your Trip to Medak

One can do this trip over the weekend and stay the night at Medak Fort just for the experience of it. Telangana Tourism has their Haritha Heritage Hotel here in the fort.

READ: A Trinity of Faiths & more: Medak

8. Nalgonda

Distance from Hyderabad | 100 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit |July – February. Nalgonda Summers are sweltering.

Along the trek route to Devarakonda Fort

From the mysterious Chaaya Someswara Swamy Temple – that derives its name from the presence of a mysterious shadow, Chaaya – in Panagal to its lesser known Green Onyx twin; Nalgonda abounds in ancient temples, buddhist sites and sprawling forts almost in ruin. Just the place for those looking for offbeat weekend getaways from Hyderabad.

Things to Do | Places to Visit in Nalgonda
- Panagal Tank (Udaya Samudram)
- Panagal Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple
- Pachala Someswara Swamy Temple & Museum
Tourist Places around Nalgonda
- Devarakonda Fort
- Rachakonda Fort
- Phanigiri & Gajulabanda Buddhist Sites
Getting There

Take the NH65 from Hyderabad to Narketpalli and then head right towards Nalgonda. Alternatively one can also take the Sagar Road.
September 14, 2018
9 Unusual Weekend Getaways from Hyderabad
Every destination on this list of weekend getaways from Hyderabad are within 200 Kilometres of the city and can be reached in under 4 hours, making them just the place to head to for the weekend. So get out that bike or car and make the most of your 2 days off from work.
#1 Warangal

Distance from Hyderabad | 145 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | June – February

In the courtyard of Ramappa Temple

Warangal is not just the second biggest city in Telangana today. It is also the state’s most historic, for it was once the capital of the Kakatiyas. Making it weekend getaway from Hyderabad for heritage lovers.

From magnificent medieval temples like the Ramappa Temple to the lyrical Thousand Pillar Temple, this 12^th century city is most definitely The Heritage City of Telangana. Also popular here is the Lakanavaram Lake, with its holiday island and the widely recognisable yellow suspension bridge.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Warangal

Thousand Pillar Temple
Warangal Fort
Khush Mahal
Bhadrakali Temple
Ghanpur Group of Temples
Ramappa Temple & Lake
Lakanavaram Lake

RELATED
5 Places to Visit in Warangal

Getting There

Take the NH163 from Hyderabad to reach Warangal via Bhongir.

Where to Stay in Warangal

At the Haritha Kakatiya Hotel, which is probably the best Telangana Tourism run hotel in the State.

#2 Bidar

Distance from Hyderabad | 145 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | All year round

Bidar Fort

If one loves visiting places of historic significance and can’t get enough of architecture, then, Bidar – just across the state border in Karnataka – is one of those weekend getaways from Hyderabad that you just can’t miss.

Though the most prominent landmark here is the Bidar Fort, there are over sixty listed monuments here, in this little town. The other often frequented tourist place here is the Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib Gurudwara. People of all faiths come here, even straight from the Hyderabad airport just to get water from the holy spring that is said to possess healing powers.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Bidar

Bidar Fort
Chaubara
Madrasa Mahmoud Gawan
Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib
Chaukhandi of Hazrat Khalil Ullah
Bahamani Tombs, Ashtur

RELATED
Road Trip Guide: Hyderabad to Bidar
The City of Whispering Tombs: Bidar

Getting There

From Hyderabad take the ORR and then the NH65 till Zaheerabad From there head right to get to Bidar.

#3 Jetprole, Kollapur & Somasila

Distance from Hyderabad | 175 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – February

Jetprole, Kollapur and Somasila are small villages within minutes of each other along the left bank of the River Krishna.

These little hamlets are significant in that, here is where all the ancient temples that were in danger of being submerged – when the Srisailam Dam was being built – were brought to and put back together stone for stone as they were originally.

Somasila is also with popular with nature lovers for the scenic river bed is just ideal for a restful camping experience.

Things to Do & Places to Visit

Madana Gopala Swamy Temple (Jetprole)
Group of Shiva Temples (Jetprole)
Kollapur Palace, Chandra Mahal (Kollapur)
Madhava Swamy Temple (Kollapur)
Riverside Camping (Somasila)
Lalita Someswara Swamy Temple (Somasila)

Getting There

Take the NH765 from Hyderabad straight to Somasila. Or take the NH44 to Pebbair and then go left towards Kollapur.
#4 Khammam

Distance from Hyderabad | 195 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – February

From prehistoric rock paintings to historic temples from the era of the Kakatiyas – who built many temples in the region dedicated to Shiva, Khammam is one of the more unusual of weekend getaways from Hyderabad.

The two twelfth century temples in Kusumanchi are just as exquisite in their architecture as other better known Kakatiya temples like the Ramappa Temple and the ones in Ghanpur.

It was also here in Khammam, in Nelakondapalli that numerous Buddhist antiquities and even coins dating as far back as to the Ikshvakus were unearthed. And, the Stupa that still stoically stands here is the testimony to this region’s spiritual significance.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Khammam
- Khammam Fort
- Nelakondapalli Buddhist Site
- Kusumanchi Shiva Temples – Sri Ganapeshwara Alayam & Mukkanteswara Alayam
Getting There

Take the NH65 from Hyderabad to Suryapet and then head left to Khammam.
#5 Karimnagar

Distance from Hyderabad | 165 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – September. Monsoon for the dramatic clouds.

Elgandal Fort

Undoubtedly Telangana’s most striking fort, Elgandal Fort makes Karimnagar, the state’s most underrated tourist destination. Little known and too far from Hyderabad, Karimnagar is peppered with quite a few other forts, ancient temple ruins and Buddhist sites. This is the one road trip on the list here that promises a packed weekend!

You can also hear me talking about my road trip to Karimnagar for The Musafir Stories, here.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Karimnagar

Molangur Fort
Elgandal Fort
Lower Mannair Dam
Nagunur Temple Ruins

RELATED
Road Tripping through Karimnagar
Town of Hymns: Manthani
Lost in Time: Nagunur Ruins

Getting There

Take the Hyderabad – Ramagundam Road or the NH163 to reach Karimnagar via Siddipet. Alternatively, you can also take the NH44 from Hyderabad and go right from Kamareddy.

Where to Stay in Karimnagar

Haritha Hotel Kondagattu run by Telangana Tourism.

#6 Nizamabad

Distance from Hyderabad | 175 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – September. For the rain washed landscape.

Armoor

An ancient temple that is a Ramayana place, where Rama is believed to have stopped on his way to Lanka to rescue Sita. Lakes both expansive and small, nestled between hills or sitting serenely behind boulders. Extensive gravity defying rock formations with hidden cave temples inside. All of these and more make Nizamabad truly an explorer’s delight.

It cannot get more offbeat than this if you are looking for one of those quick weekend getaways from Hyderabad.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Nizamabad

Sri Kanteswar Temple
Domakonda Fort
Dichpally Ramalayam
Ashok Sagar
Ali Sagar
Armoor Rock Formations

RELATED
A Song of Stone: Dichpally Ramalayam
Of Rocks and Hidden Temples: Armoor

Getting There

Take the NH44 from Hyderabad straight to Nizamabad.

Where to Stay in Nizamabad

Haritha Indur Inn in Nizamabad City, run by Telangana Tourism.

#7 Nagarjuna Sagar

Distance from Hyderabad | 150 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | July – October. Monsoon is when the flood gates open.

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Nalgonda district holds the record for being India’s tallest masonry dam. Almost fifty years old, this dam which took twelves years to finish, is still considered to be one of the largest dams built in Asia in the recent times.

It is quite a sight to behold when all of its twenty six flood gates are open and the water gushes down in a roar.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Nagarjuna Sagar

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Ethipothala Falls
Nagarjuna Konda Buddhist Site & Museum

RELATED
8 Beautiful Waterfalls near Hyderabad

Getting There

Take the ‘Sagar Road‘ from Hyderabad to reach Nagarjuna Sagar via Devarakonda.

Where to Stay in Nagarjuna Sagar

The Haritha Vijay Vihar Hotel run by Telangana Tourism. It offers beautiful views of the lake.

#8 Pillalamarri, Mahbubnagar

Distance from Hyderabad | 105 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | June – February

Pillalamarri (Telugu for banyan tree and its children) isn’t just the name of a famous Banyan Tree but of the village – where it stands – itself. This seven hundred year old Giant Banyan Tree spread over four acres of land just outside the city of Mahbubnagar is so popular with tourists, that it now has a deer park and science museum for the children who come there.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Pillalamarri, Mahbubnagar

Banyan Tree
Science Museum
Deer Park
Gadwal
Mahbubnagar

Getting There

Take the NH44 from Hyderabad, till Jadcherla and from there on head right onto NH167 to get to Pillalamarri, Mahbubnagar.

Where to Stay near Pillalamarri

Gadwal Haritha Hotel run by Telangana Tourism.
#9 Pillalamarri, Suryapet

Distance from Hyderabad | 132 Kilometres
Best Time to Visit | June – February

This small village just off the busy Hyderabad – Vijayawada Highway, somewhere near popular highway pit stop – Suryapet, does not boast of an olden Giant Banyan Tree like the other eponymous village mentioned previously.

This Pillalamarri, in Nalgonda District, boasts of two ancient temples from the Kakatiya Era. Some say that the beautifully adorned pillars of these Shiva temples have inspired an entire range of traditional jewellery in South India. Making this lesser known Pillalamari a definite addition to this list of unusual weekend getaways from Hyderabad.

Things to Do & Places to Visit in Pillalamarri, Suryapet

Pillalamarri Shiva Temples
Sri Erakeswara Temple
Sri Nameswara Temple
Pillalamarri Lake
Phanigiri Buddhist Site

Getting There

Take the NH65 from Hyderabad and just before Suryapet head left. Use Google Maps to guide you towards Pillala Marri Rural.
September 10, 2018
In Photos: Terracotta Temple of Hyderabad

A quiet descends over you as you find your way – through the expansive grounds of the Dadabadi Jain Sevashram hemmed in with trees – towards the Terracotta Jain Temple in Hyderabad. Only a stones throw from the other, more popular Karwan Jain Temple in Gudimalkapur near Mehdipatnam, the Dadabadi Jain Temple is a lyrical beauty of dulcet contrasts and a true oasis of peace in the otherwise crowded and narrow lanes of Karwan.

Dadabadi Shwetamber Jain Temple, Hyderabad

Built in a combination of terracotta and marble, this two hundred year old Shwetambar Jain temple makes for striking contrasts. You cannot but stop to admire the beauty of the rather unusual combination of the brick red of the terracotta and the pristine white of the Rajasthani Marble. Not to mention the intricate patterns carved into them. And, there is never a frisson of disturbance to the peace. Not by the pigeons flocking to the basins of birdseed kept out for them, nor by the steady trickle of regulars who come by everyday from all parts of the city to go about their solitary sojourn of faith and religion.

Past all this, as you enter the main sanctum, the smile on Dada Shri Jin Kushal Suri’s idol, to whom this temple is dedicated, only adds to the mood. You don’t have to be a Jain to experience a sense of stillness, here in this atmospheric temple.

Alongside the Dadabadi Shrine and terracotta temple, you will also find an old step-well, now in disuse, a conspicuously bright and new play ground, a multi-tiered marble fountain here and there amidst all the lush foliage on the grounds here. There is also an old peoples home and a wedding hall for Jains here.

Explorers Guide

Don’t Miss

Sundays and full moon days, if you want to attend a ritualistic Jain prayer.

Handy Tip

Though not mandatory, it is recommended that one wears white when visiting the Dadabadi Jain Temple. For it is of the Shwetambar Jain Sect.

Getting There

Head towards to the Gudimalkapur Park from Mehdipatnam. The temple is inside the Dadabadi Jain Sevasharam complex opposite the Sarada Nagar Community Hall, a little beyond the Gudimalkapur Park.

READ: 56 Incredible Weekend Getaways for other Jain Temples near Hyderabad

September 6, 2018