Telangana
Photos: Rajashree Talukdar (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Deccan plateau state formed in 2014, with Hyderabad as its capital: Qutb Shahi and Nizam heritage, Kakatiya temples and forts, the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple, Krishna and Godavari river sites and forest waterfalls.
Most trips start in Hyderabad, then fan out by road to Warangal and Ramappa (2-3 days), Nagarjuna Sagar, Bhadrachalam or the northern waterfalls. Winters are the best time; April-May is very hot.
Highlights: Charminar and the Old City bazaars · Golconda Fort · Qutb Shahi tombs · Ramappa Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) · Warangal Fort and Thousand Pillar Temple · Nagarjuna Sagar dam and Nagarjunakonda · Bhadrachalam temple on the Godavari · Kuntala Falls · Ananthagiri Hills · Pochampally ikat weaving village
When to go
Green best · blue good · red avoid · this month outlinedDestinations
Towns, valleys and cities worth the trip, with how they rate this month.
Hyderabad
Telangana's capital and departure hub: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi tombs, palaces, museums and famous biryani.
Warangal
Former Kakatiya capital: Warangal Fort's stone gateways, the Thousand Pillar Temple and Bhadrakali Temple.
Bhadrachalam
Godavari temple town of the Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple, one of the main Rama shrines of South India.
Palampet
UNESCO World Heritage Site (2021): the 13th-century Kakatiya Rudreshwara temple at Palampet, famous for its carved sandstone and floating bricks.
Nagarjuna Sagar
Large masonry dam on the Krishna, with boats to the Buddhist island museum of Nagarjunakonda.
Ananthagiri Hills
Forested hills near Vikarabad, a weekend escape from Hyderabad with treks, the Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple and the Musi river's source.
Kuntala Falls
Telangana's highest waterfall, on the Kadem river near Neradigonda in Adilabad district, best in the monsoon.
Top sights
Nature and outdoors
Masqati Play Ground
Sarojini Nagarcolony Park
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
tiger reserve in India
Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
wildlife sanctuary in Telangana, India
Public Garden, Hanamkonda
park in Hanamakonda, India
Kakatiya Musical Garden
park in Hanamakonda, India
Khajaguda Lake
manmade waterbody in Hyderabad
Nallagandla Lake
lake in Hyderabad, India
Things to do
G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium
sports stadium in Hydrabad, India
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Stretched over 16 acres of land, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium did away Hyderabad's reputation of being a high-scoring venue. The ground has had its share of controversy.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium
Stadium in Hyderabad, India
Gachibowli Indoor Stadium
sports arena
Where to eat
Shopping
Mir Alam Mandi
Gudimalkapur Flower Market
Lulu International Shopping Mall, Hyderabad
shopping mall in Telengana, India
Patthargatti
Commercial building complex in Hyderabad, India
Moazzam Jahi Market
Historic market in Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Monda Market
secunderabad in Telangana, India
Sultan Bazar
human settlement in Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Hyderabad Central
Shopping mall in Hyderabad, India
Food to try
- Hyderabadi biryani: Dum-cooked rice and meat, the state's signature dish
- Haleem: Slow-cooked wheat and meat stew, sold mainly during Ramzan
- Irani chai and Osmania biscuits: Hyderabad cafe classic
- Sarva pindi: Spiced rice-flour pancake from Telangana homes
- Sakinalu: Crisp rice-flour spirals made for Sankranti
- Pachi pulusu: Raw tamarind soup eaten in summer
- Double ka meetha and qubani ka meetha: Bread pudding and apricot dessert
Festivals
- Bathukamma: Months: 9 · 10; Description: State festival: women make flower stacks and sing, around Dussehra
- Bonalu: Months: 7 · 8; Description: Offerings to goddess Mahakali in the Ashada month, big in Hyderabad-Secunderabad
- Sammakka Saralamma Jatara (Medaram): Months: 1 · 2; Description: Large tribal fair in Mulugu district held every two years
- Sri Rama Navami at Bhadrachalam: Months: 3 · 4; Description: Celestial wedding ceremony at the Bhadrachalam temple
- Ramzan: Old City night markets and haleem; dates follow the lunar calendar