Check out the list of 20 temples of Telangana that you must visit once in your lifetime:
- Chilkur Balaji Temple - The Famous Telangana Temple
- Birla Mandir
- Sanghi Temple
- Gnana Saraswathi Temple
- Surendrapuri Temple
- Karmanghat Hanuman Temple
- Beechupally Anjaneya Swamy Temple
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
- Bhadrakali Temple
- Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple
- Thousand Pillars Temple
- Keesaragutta Temple
- Ramappa Temple
- Sangameshwar Temple
- Kondagattu Temple
- Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple
- Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple
- Padmakshi Temple
- Saleshwaram Lingayya Swamy Temple
- Alampur Jogulamba Temple
1. Chilkur Balaji Temple - The Famous Telangana Temple
Hyderabad is not only famous for its Biryani. The city also has a range of temples so aesthetic and divine that you would want to pack your bags and go there right away. Located at Chilkur (Hyderabad district) The Balaji Temple is one of the most influential temples out there. Interestingly, the temple is famous for clearing the US and other western countries' Visa and thus, is also commonly known as Visa Balaji Temple. One of the oldest temples in the region it witnesses close to 100,000 devotees in a week. Visit the temple at any time of the year on any day. Fridays and Saturdays are the most crowded days of the week, so you would want to avoid that.Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
2. Birla Mandir
Dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, Birla Mandir in Hyderabad is an architectural beauty boasting of 2000 tonnes of white marble. The temple is located on a hilltop at the height of 280 feet which makes the structure look even more incredible. Constructed by the Birla Group (who are popularly known for building temples all over the country), the temple is the ideal place for meditating, given the fact that there are no bells here. There's a bit of climbing involved in reaching this holy site. After entering the place, you get a spectacular panoramic view of Hyderabad and Secunderabad which is worth the climb you take to reach the temple.Timings: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
3. Sanghi Temple
The ever enchanting Sanghi Temple is located in Sanghi Nagar, only 35 km away from Hyderabad. The temple is built in a Chola-Chalukya architectural style and is dedicated to not one but many Hindu Gods. Spotting the majestic Raja Gopuram from kilometres away is a common sight. You'll come across many more beautiful structures when you enter the temple. After performing the darshans, you should visit the Holy Garden to sit and unwind and breath in the religiosity in the air. Known to be an epitome of belief by the devotees, the temple witnesses thousands of visitors every week.Timings: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
4. Gnana Saraswathi Temple
Located on the banks of the river Godavari in Basar village, the Gnana Saraswathi Temple has got rich history attached to it, going back to the time of Mahabharata. Dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi, the temple also made it to the list of best Sarawasthi temples of the country, which is probably why it is visited by thousands of devotees all round the year.Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
5. Surendrapuri Temple
Surendrapuri is one of the few temples in India to have its mythological theme park. The place brims with culture, art, and amazing sculptures. Apart from the park being a significant tourist attraction, visitors can also pay a visit to the Nagakoti, a Shiva Linga standing tall at 101 feet and temples of Lord Hanuman and Lord Venkateswara. All deities in the temple are strategically placed, keeping in mind the Vedic knowledge used in building this one of a kind temple.Timings: 6.30 AM to 1:00 PM, 3 PM to 8:00 PM
6. Karmanghat Hanuman Temple
The Karmanghat Hanuman Temple is one of the oldest temples out there. Legend states that the temple was constructed in the 11th century A.D. The Karmanghat, along with the other temples in the same area follow the Vedic rules of worship in worshipping Lord Hanuman. Mainly known for curing life-taking diseases, the temple is also famous for its splendid architecture.Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
7. Beechupally Anjaneya Swamy Temple
The 200-year-old Beechupally temple is the house of Anjaneya Swamy, more commonly known as Lord Hanuman. Located on the banks of river Krishna in the Mahabubnagar district this temple also has a Shiva Linga with it. Peak monsoon period is an excellent time to visit this holy shrine as waters of the river gushing on the edge of the temple makes a beautiful sight. It looks like as if Lord Hanuman himself is sending out a message. The temple also hosts a "pushkara snanam" event in every 12 years wherein people bath in the several ghats housed in the temple.Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
8. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
The Lakshmi Narasimha temple is Lord Narasimha's (embodiment of Lord Vishnu) abode. Due to its popularity, the temple is always bustling with devotees performing different types of darshans. The temple is located in a cave on a knoll in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district. There are several chambers inside the temple, so it's worth taking a peaceful stroll on an evening and admiring the striking sculptures of deities spread all over the place.Timings: 4:30 AM to 8:45 PM
9. Bhadrakali Temple
The rich history of Bhadrakali temple dates back to the Chalukya dynasty. The writings on the wall convey that the temple was built sometime around in 625 A.D. Inside the temple is Goddess Bhadrakali's magnificent stone structure, an architectural beauty. Legend says that the temple was looted and destroyed by the infamous Allauddin Khilji and was re-built in the year 1950. He also took away the priceless Kohinoor Diamond. This holy site is one of the oldest Bhadrakali temples and witnesses devotees in thousands. Located on a hilltop, the views from the temple are indeed stupendous.Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
10. Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple
Located on the river Godavari in village Bhadrachalam, it is easy to spot the Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple (also called Bhadrachalam). Although not amongst the oldest temples of the country, the construction of this temple dates back to the 17th century. Bhadrachalam is famous for its principal deity - Lord Rama. Vaikuntha Rama, to be more specific as this form of Rama is not present anywhere else in India but here. Legend says that the deity imparts knowledge to worshippers. The temple is also famous for the various festivals celebrated here, namely, Vasanthotsavam, Brahmotsavam, and Vaikuntha Ekadashi.Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
11. Thousand Pillars Temple
The Thousand Pillars Temple is one of the best architecture structures out there. The temple is also added to the tentative UNESCO top heritage sites list. Mainly dedicated to three deities, Lord Vishnu, Surya, and Shiva, the temple was built in the 12th century. Recently, the temple was on the verge of collapsing but was saved by the government. A famous tourist destination, it is now being renovated with each of the pillars being marked and numbered for the process of elevation.Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
12. Keesaragutta Temple
The Keesaragutta Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is famous for drawing lakhs of devotees on the festive night of Shivaratri. Located only 30km away from Hyderabad in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district, the temple is placed on a small knoll. There's a rich archaeological history attached to it. Recently, idols of Shiva were dug up from the temple steps and were said to date back to 4th and 5th century. This is probably why the whole district believes in the divinity of Lord Shiva.Timings: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM
13. Ramappa Temple
The Ramappa Temple lies tucked in the beautiful valley of Palampet village, roughly 157 km away from Hyderabad. Interestingly, the temple is named after its creator (sculpture) and not the deity, which is quite unusual in India. Lord Ramalingeswara, yet another form of Lord Shiva is worshipped here by thousands of devotees who visit the temple every year. As a tourist, there's a lot to look at. The deity stands tall at a tremendous star-shaped platform, and the pillars of the temple also have beautiful carvings.Timings: 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
14. Sangameshwar Temple
Sangameshwar temple is an ancient holy shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in Somasila in the district of Mahbubnagar, it is a significant tourist attraction. Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Lingam is the chief presiding deity in the temple. Sangameshwar Temple is the most prominent one amongst 15 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the area. It is said to be built 200 years ago, a few years after the British colonised India.Timings: 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
15. Kondagattu Temple
Kondagattu temple or Kondagattu Anjaneya Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Located 35 km from Karimnagar, this temple is believed to be built by a cowherd in the 18th century. Apart from Lord Anjaneya Swamy, the temple also houses the sculptures of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Lakshmi. The temple gained popularity after devotees started believing that people who have trouble bearing a child are blessed with one after 40 days of performing darshans in the temple.Timings: 4:00 AM to 8:30 PM
16. Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple
Sri Raja Rajeshwara temple, located in the town of Vemulavada is yet another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Fondly called as Rajanna, the deity is famous all over Telangana. Though the temple is Hindu, inside the temple complex lies a Dargah where devotees, irrespective of their religion offer prayers. The devotees are first supposed to take a bath in the holy waters called Dharma Gundam, as only after cleansing their body can they proceed for darshans. The sacred waters are said to contain medicinal properties with an ability to cure incurable diseases.
Timings: 4:00 AM to 8:30 PM
17. Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple
The Chaya Someshwara Swamy Temple is widely known for its mysterious happenings. The deity presiding in the temple is famously known as the Chaya Someshwara Swamy. Chaya in Hindi means shadow. A vertical shadow reflected by the sculpture in broad daylight on the Shiva Lingam forms a lasting shadow of the pillar. The shadow cast upon is awe-striking and persistent. It is visible at day, till sunset. The temple is also famous for its Shivratri celebrations.Timings: 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM
18. Padmakshi Temple
Padmakshi Temple is one of the oldest temples in Telangana as the deity was built back in the 12th century. Also known as Kadalalaya Basadi, the temple consists a Jain temple within dedicated to Goddess Padmavati. This holy site is placed beautifully on a hilltop in the heart of Hanamakonda, a town near Warangal. Lakhs of women here celebrate the Bathukamma festival once every year, by immersing flowers in a pond situated at the foot of Padmakshi.Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
19. Saleshwaram Lingayya Swamy Temple
Saleshwaram Lingayya Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is tucked inside a cave in Nallamala forest. Located away from the hustle-bustle of the city is what makes this temple popular. There is a waterfall a few meters away from the Shiva Linga where water gushes out from a stone. Stroll through the forest and admire the nature, which, by the way, is seen in its purest form. The place is frequented not only by thousands of devotees but also adventure seekers from all over the country.Timings: Closed most of the year but open during significant festivals. April is the best time to visit this holy shrine.
20. Alampur Jogulamba Temple
Located in the sleepy town of Alampur, Jogulamba consists of several (9, to be exact) temples dedicated to Brahmas, with Bala Brahmeshwara being the presiding deity. The temple walls and pillars boast Chalukya style of art and culture, which is a treat for your eyes. Reaching the temple can be tedious but not difficult. Although the nearest airport is Hyderabad (220 km away), one could always take a train to Alampur and then ride to the temple.
Timings: 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
The young and tantalising Telangana has a lot to offer when it comes to temples. Plan a soulful trip with your family to this state for its divinity, art, and culture, and I am sure you won't be disappointed.
