Karimnagar District is a district in northern Telangana. The city of Karimnagar is the district headquarters, and has a population of about 3 lakh. The district has two municipal corporations at Karimnagar and Ramagundam.
Karimnagar was originally called Elagandala, by its native people. The district was a major center for Vedic learning and was the heart of the great Satavahana Empire. Later, Nizams changed the name to Karimnagar, derived from the name of Syed Karimullah Shah Saheb Quiladar.
Karimnagar is a city and Municiapl Corporaiton in the state of Telangana. The city is located on the banks of the Manair River, which is a tributary of the Godavari River.Karimnagar is situated 165 kilometres north of the state capital, Hyderabad.
The city was named after Syed Karimuddin, who is thought to be its founder.Kotilingala in Karimnagar is the first capital of Satavahana kingdom.Karimnagar was formerly known as 'Sabbinadu' and inscriptions of the Kakatiya king Prola II and Prataparudra found at Karimnagar and Srisailam suggest evidence of its rich history.[1]
The history of the Karimnagar district starts from the Old Stone Age i.e. from 1,48,000 BC. It is evident from the tools, culture and other materials found at different places in Karimnagar. The excavations at Pedda Bonkur, Dhollikatte and Kotilingalu are evidences for history.
From these evidences it is concluded that Karimnagar is ruled by Shathavahanas. After Shathavahanas Mourya Kings, Asafzalu Kings ruled over Karimnagar. The buildings, constructions made by these kings are today remarkable evidences of the history.
The Godavari River and Maneru River flow through the district and perhaps that is why it is blessed with a rich cover of verdant and green forests. The region has seen many rules. The satavahanas were the first, followed by Vishnukumdin, Vemulavada, Chalukyas, Kaktiyas, Qutub Shahis and Asaf Jahi dynasties. While the Asaf Jahis were ruling the region, Karimnagar was made into the capital. It was then that the name of the district was changed. The district and town get their name from a Muslim saint called Syed Karimullah Shah Saheb Quadri.
Kaleshwaram
The beautiful village of kaleshwaram is situated at the confluence of rivers Godavari and Pranahitha, which is a small river of the region. The village is about 125 kilometres from Karimnagar.
Although a small, the village is popular with Shaivites, who come to worship at the Mukteswara Swamy Temple. The temple enshrines two shivalingams on one Panivattam which is a rare sight. The shivalingam present in the temple is believed to be one of the three Jyothirlingams of Lord Shiva and make up the three corners of Andhra Desha. The other two shivalingams are located at Srisailam and Draksharama, which is in East Godavari. Another peculiarity of the temple is dedication to Brahma which is very rare.
Vemulawada
Vemulawada is about 35 kilometres from Karimnagar and is renowned for its Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple complex. The complex is visited by devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu as well as other faithfuls.
The temple is an ancient one and was built between 750 AD and 975 AD during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty. The temple is named after the main deity housed in it, and deity is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The complex has many temples and each one is dedicated to a different deity. The open galleries of the temple and the corridor lined with idols of Lord Shiva are the architectural highlights.
Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple
The breathtakingly beautiful temple of Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy is about 35 kilometres from Karimnagar. The temple is nestled amidst hills, springs and valley, making the surrounding extremely panoramic and soothing. According to a local legend, the temple was constructed about 300 years ago by a cowherd, who has lost his buffalo. After searching for the lost buffalo, the tired cowherd fell off to sleep and Lord Anjaneya Swamy, who is an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, appeared in his dreams and told him where to look for the lost buffalo. The cowherd woke up with start and looked around the hillock when saw the illuminated idol of Lord Anjaneya Swamy. He then built a temple to house the idol.
Lower Manair Dam
As the name suggests, the Lower Manair Dam spans the Manair River, which is a tributary of the Godavari. The construction of the dam began in 1974 and concluded in 1985. The height of the dam is about 27 metres and it has a catchment area of about 6,475 square kilometres.The reason that Lower Manair Dam is a popular tourist destination is its panoramic reservoir. The shores of the reservoir offer an opportunity to relax amidst the lush green environs. It is a fabulous place for picnics. Close to the dam are two other attractions, the Ujwala Park and Deer Park. Both offer a great place to relax and enjoy onself.
