Adilabad

ADILABAD

1.Adilabad was formerly called Edulapuram. The district derived its name as Adilabad, named after Ali Adil Shah the Ruler of Bijapur that was its head quarters. Adilabad district is situated between 77. 46 and 80 of the eastern longitudes and 18.40 and 19.56 of northern latitudes .It is surrounded by Yeotmal and Chandrapur district of Maharashtra towards north, Chandrapur in the East, by Karimnagar and Nizamabad in the South and by Nanded district in the west.

Basara

Basara, abode to Gnana Saraswati, is a small village near Nizamabad city that comes under Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Here is located the ancient temple of Gnana Sarasvati - the Goddess of Knowledge. It is believed to be one of the two oldest temples of Goddess Saraswati in India, the other being located in Kashmir. Sited at the convergence of rivers Mangira and Godavari, Saraswati Temple appears serene and pious in the rustic setting.
According to the legends, Veda Vyas did penance on the banks of Godavari. He used to bring fistful of sand daily after bath to make idols of Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali. Since the 6th century, Basar has been a pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. However, the present structure of the temple is believed to have been erected by Chalukya kings. In the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Goddess Sarasvati adorns the sight, along with Goddess Lakshmi.
In the 17th century, the idols of the temple were reinstated by a chieftain of Nandagiri (Nandeed) subsequent to destruction caused by the Muslim invaders. There is nothing extraordinary about temple's architecture yet its popularity is certainly creditable. Pilgrims from far and near come to pay their homage to the 'Goddess of Wisdom'. Basant Panchami and Navaratri are the major festivals observed at the temple.
Akshara Gnana' is a special ritual, in which devotees bring their children to the temple. The significance of the ritual lies in the fact that it marks the formal starting of child's education. The child is given little bit of turmeric paste to taste, believing that it will clear his/her vocal chords for better learning. The Goddess answers all the prayers of the committed devotees, filling their life with bliss and happiness.

Nirmal

Nirmal town is known for its amazing paintings, exclusive handicrafts and wooden toys. The distinction held so high that the curios were named after the town itself. The artisans still follow the conventional methods and techniques to create splendid art works. In case of paintings, 'Nakkash' has been the main community, which has contributed to the art and painted brilliant scenes from the Hindu epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

In the primeval period, Mughal rulers got really fascinated about these paintings. Later, Lady Hydri brought the painters to Hyderabad and endorsed this art for development. Till date, the colors employed in this painting are formed form minerals, gums and herbs. With changing patterns, the craftsmen are painting different themes and motifs too. Mughal miniatures are reproduced skillfully on soft white wood, known as 'Ponniki', by the dexterous artisans.

Acknowledged as the land of toys, Nirmal also leads in the manufacture of really good wooden toys. The interesting fact is that in the earlier times, the art form developed with locally available material. Apart from toys, you can also see a range of curios like bangles, jewelry boxes, decorative pieces, etc. The indigenous art of Nirmal developed considering the modern taste, but never compromised on the traditional methods.

Kuntala water falls

Kuntala Waterfall, set amidst the Sahayadri mountain range in Andhra Pradesh, presents a wonderful vista with its gushing waters. Identified as the highest waterfalls of the state, the cascade attracts visitors from far and wide. At a distance of about 40 kms from Adilabad city, the fall is to be found near Neredikonda Village in Adilabad district. Kuntala Waterfalls appear as a pleasant surprise, accessible through the twirling roads passing from dense forests.

As per the legends, Kuntala Waterfalls were named after the mythological figure Shakuntala, who was the beloved of King Dushyanta. It is said that both of them fell in love with each other amidst the spectacular beauty of the region. Perhaps Shakuntala used to bathe in the waters of the cascade. Through the dense forests, River Kadam flows and tumbles gushing at Kuntala from the height of 45 meters, creating the astounding waterfall.

One must experience the spectacle of water splashing down and turning into whirls. Owing to this powerful surge, you can feel the air in the region crammed with mist of the darting waters. The cool breeze, with the whiff of flora around, makes the whole atmosphere simply wonderful. In the monsoons, the splendor of the cascade becomes all the more beguiling, since the river comes down with heavy waters.

It appears as if God himself likes this place as much as people do. A temple dedicated to Someshwara Swami is located in the vicinity, where people come to pay their homage to the Lord. You can reach this temple by going through a passage made by a slit in the hill. Festival of 'Maha Shivratri' attracts plenty of devotees to this temple. To put succinctly, Kuntala Waterfalls definitely deserves a visit on your trip to Adilabad


Kawal wild life sanctury

Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is the prefect destination to look for multiplicity of flora and fauna in India. Located in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, the sanctuary lies at a distance of 50 km from Mancherila and 260 km from Hyderabad. It was established in 1964 with the purpose of safeguarding the endangered species in their natural habitat. Owing to its bio-diversity, the haven was declared as a wildlife sanctuary later.

Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is visited by number of tourists every year. It has two watch towers, which offer stunning view of the surroundings. Sprawled across an area of 893 sq kms, the sanctuary boasts of a dry deciduous forest where teak, bamboo and numerous varieties of trees, shrubs and herbs can be seen. It houses various animals, including Sambar, Cheetal, Nilgai, Barking Deer, Indian Bison, Sloth Bear, Panther and Tiger.

The range of reptiles comprises of Python, Crocodile, Star Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Cobra and many others. Talking about avifauna, one can trace various species of birds like Partridge, Quails, Peacocks, Eagles, Kites, Owls, Mynahs and Kingfishers here. During winters, the chirping sound of the migratory birds reverberates in the region. If you are keen on watching animals and birds, you can wait near rivulets and brooks where they usually come for water.

Winter season offers the best time to visit the sanctuary because the weather gets too dry in summers and too humid in monsoons. You can also opt for jeep safari, while having a closer, yet safer, view of the wildlife, to make your trip more interesting. Accommodation is also available here with the Forest Guest House. In concise, Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is a nice place to experience adventure and thrill, mingled with enjoyment



sivaram wild life sanctury

Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary of Andhra Pradesh is a total delight for nature lovers. Sited on the banks of River Godavari, the sanctuary is known for its population of fresh water crocodiles. This haven truly appears to be immersed in nature's beauty and splendor. Sprawled in an area of 36.29 sq km, the wildlife asylum lies at a distance of about 10 km, 50 km and 80 km from Manthani, Mancherial and Karimnagar, respectively.

Sivaram Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife preserve of its own kind, which boasts of exotic flora and fauna in India. It has deciduous vegetation, comprising of Teak, Timan, Gumpena, Terminalias, Kodsha and thorny shrubs. The sanctuary is home to fauna like Tiger, Panther, Langur, Rhesus Monkey, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Cheetal, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Python, etc. Established in 1987, the Sivaram Wildlife Sanctuary was initiated with a purpose of safeguarding crocodiles.

The main attraction of the sanctuary is made up of different species of Crocodiles. Here you can view numerous crocodiles basking in the sun. The Mugger Crocodile seen here is infact a fresh water crocodile that is found in the Indo-Gangetic Rivers like Godavari. Unlike the salt water crocodiles, the Muggers can crawl for substantial distances on land. This feature of the fresh water creatures has popularized them amongst the tourists.

A trip to Sivaram Wildlife Sanctuary would be best if it is planned in the winter season. The haven makes a great outing for dwellers of the region. While in the sanctuary, don't forget to move around the jungle in the jeeps available there. This jungle safari would definitely be an exciting and adventurous expedition for you. To put succinctly, Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary is definitely a place that cannot you cannot afford to miss.