Telangana Tourism: Tours and Travel Guides Telangana

Telangana is located in the southern part of India and is renowned for its natural attractions, temples, palaces, forts and other heritage sites. The rich cultural heritage of the state makes it one of the most visited tourist destinations in South India.

According to the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation, about 92.8 million and 0.318 million domestic and international tourists, respectively, visited the state in 2018. This tourist-friendly state has a large number of big and small accommodation options including budget, luxury and heritage hotels, homestays and resorts.

Telangana Tourism Information

Capital	Hyderabad
Official Language	Telugu
Area	112,077 square kilometer
Main Cities	Hyderabad and Warangal
Status	State
Official Tourism Website	https://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/
Major Railheads	Secunderabad Junction (SC), Hyderabad Deccan (HYB), Nizamabad Junction (NZB), Kazipet Junction (KZJ), Kacheguda (KCG), Vikarabad Junction (VKB)
Airport	Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad)

History of Telangana

Telangana’s history has been shaped by many great dynasties like the Mauryas, Satvahanas, Chalukyas and Kakatiyas. The region came under the dominion of the Delhi Sultanate in the 14^th century, Bahmani Sultanate in the 15^th century and Qutb Shahis in the 16^th century. The Qutb Shahi kingdom fell into the hands of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb in 1687.

In 1712, Qamar-ud-din Khan became the administrator (Nizam-ul-Mulk) of the region. Later, he took the name Asaf Jah, laying the foundation of what came to be known as the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He named the region, Hyderabad Deccan, and his lineage came to be known as the Nizams of Hyderabad. When the colonial powers established their control over the country, the Nizams obtained their support and kept ruling Hyderabad under their protection.

After India’s freedom, the then Nizam wanted Hyderabad State to remain independent. But the Indian Government annexed it in 1948 with ‘Operation Polo’. In 1956, Telangana region was combined with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh. In the years that followed, there were many major movements to revoke the merger. Consequently, the state of Telangana was officially formed from the northwest part of Andhra Pradesh on 2^nd June, 2014.

Geography & Climate

Telangana shares its border with Chhattisgarh in the east, Andhra Pradesh in the south and east, Karnataka in the west, and Maharashtra in the north. Located on the Deccan Plateau, the state’s landscape is dotted with mountain ranges, hills, and dense forests. Krishna and Godavari are the two major rivers flowing through the state.

The climate of Telangana is hot and dry. Summers are scorching hot while winters are mild and dry. The best time to visit Telangana is between September and March.

Places to Visit in Telangana

• Iconic Monuments: Charminar, Qutub Shahi Tombs, Paigah Tombs, Kakatiya Kala Thoranam
• Temples: Jagannath Temple, Kolanupaka Jain Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple, Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple, Ramappa Temple
• Mosques: Mecca Masjid, Toli Masjid, Spanish Mosque, Badapahad Dargah
• Churches: Joseph’s Cathedral, George’s Church, Centenary Methodist Church, All Saints Church, Medak Church
• Forts: Golconda Fort, Bhongir Fort, Warangal Fort, Elgandal Fort, Khammam Fort, Devarakonda Fort, Jagtial Fort
• Palaces: Chowmahalla Palace, Hill Fort Palace, Falaknuma Palace, King Kothi Palace, Jubilee Hall, Purani Haveli
• Lakes: Hussain Sagar Lake, Osman Sagar Lake, Durgam Cheruvu, Laknavaram Lake, Pakhal Lake
• Waterfalls: Kuntala Waterfalls, Mallela Theertham, Bheemuni Paadam Waterfalls, Gayatri Waterfalls, Kanakai Waterfalls
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks: Mrugavani National Park, Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Kawal Tiger Reserve, Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
• Museums: Salar Jung Museum, Telangana State Archaeology Museum, BM Birla Science Museum, Heritage Jail Museum, Sudha Cars Museum
• Other Attractions: Ramoji Film City, Wonderla, Manjeera Dam, Ananthagiri Hills

Cuisine of Telangana

The cuisine of Telangana includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Some of the famous dishes of Telangana are Sarva Pindi, Pachi Pulusu, Golichina Mamsam, Hyderabadi Biryani, Sakinalu, Haleem, and Gongura Chutney. Malidalu, Garijalu, Qubani ka Meetha, Ariselu, and Kobbari Pappu Payasam are some must-try traditional desserts.

Shopping in Telangana

Telangana has a lot of interesting things you can carry back as souvenirs including:

• Hyderabadi pearls
• Lac bangles
• Items with bidri work
• Pochampally sari
• Fabric with kalamkari work
• Khada dupatta
• Osmania biscuit
• Paper sweet
• Gongura pickle

Things to Do in Telangana

• Enjoy a stroll around Charminar
• Explore the majestic monuments of the state
• Watch the light and sound show at Golconda Fort
• Visit Moula Ali Dargah hilltop
• Go on a ferry ride at Hussain Sagar Lake
• Experience the thrill of rock climbing
• Go on a trekking expedition
• Relish the famous Hyderabadi biryani
• Go shopping at the age-old Laad Bazaar
• Enjoy a cup of Irani chai with Osmania biscuits

How to Reach Telangana

By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is one of the busiest airports in India. It has regular flights connecting Telangana to various international destinations including London, Hong Kong, Sharjah, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Singapore, and Colombo. There are direct flights from the airport to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, and Chennai.

By Rail: The state is well-connected by rail and is served by the South Central Railway Line. Premier trains including Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, and Duronto Express connect the state to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai.

By Road: With 15 national highways passing through the state, Telangana enjoys good road connectivity with the rest of India. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is the state-owned transport facility that provides bus services to all parts of the state and neighboring regions. The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (M.G.B.S) or Imlibun Bus Station in Hyderabad is the third largest bus station in India.