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Karimnagar is also known as Elagandula (Ancient name) is a city and District Headquarters in the Indian state of Telangana. Karimnagar is a major urban agglomeration and fifth largest city in the state. It is governed by the Municipal Corporation and is the headquarters of the Karimnagar district. It is situated on the banks of Manair River, which is a tributary of the Godavari River. It is the fourth largest and fastest growing urban settlement in the state, according to 2011 census. It has registered a population growth rate of 45.46% and 38.87% respectively over the past two decades between 1991 and 2011, which is highest growth rate among major cities of Telangana. It serves as a major educational and health hub for the northern districts of Telangana. It is a major business center and widely known for its agricultural and granite industries, earning the nickname "City of Granites."
It has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission by replacing Hyderabad
Places to Visit - Karimnagar
Nagnur Fort
Nagunur Fort was a fort built by the Kakatiya dynasty. It is around 8 km north of Karimnagar. The fort is testimony to the imperial powers of the Kakatiyas. It was one of the most important forts of the emerging Kakatiya dynasty and contains ruins of a cluster of Western Chalukya and Kakatiya temples. The town is named Nagunur in reference to the 400 temples that once existed here, so locals called it as Naluguvonalu and throughout many centuries it became Nagunur.
The pillars and galleries around the Shiva temple here are worth seeing. The most important temple in the complex is the Shiva temple, which has three shrines. The main entrance to the temple is on the northern side and the three shrines face the other three directions.
Elgandal Fort
Elgandal Fort is situated amidst palm groves on the banks of the Manair River (a tributary of the Godavari River), approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Karimnagar on the Sircilla Road in the Indian state of Telangana. It was once under the control of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, the Mughal Empire, and the Nizams of Hyderabad. During the Nizam era it was the headquarters of Karimnagar. It is believed that a secret tunnel connects Elgandal Fort and Manakondur some 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Karimnagar on the Karimnagar-Vemulawada highway.
While reorganizing the districts, the Sixth Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, shifted the District Headquarters from Elagandal to Karimnagar in 1905.Elgandal's rulers surrounded the fort with a crocodile filled moat of around 5 metres (16 ft) wide and 4 metres (13 ft) deep to prevent enemy incursions.
Lower Manair Dam
Lower Manair Dam also known as LMD was constructed across the Manair River, at Alugunur village, Thimmapur mandal, Karimnagar District, in the Indian state of Telangana during 1974 to 1985. It provides irrigation to a gross command area of 163,000 hectares (400,000 acres)..
The Lower Manair Dam is located on the Manair River at 18°24' N latitude and 79° 20' E longitude in Karimnagar District at Km.146 of Kakatiya Canal. The Manair River is a tributary of the Godavari River and the dam is built across the river at the confluence with Mohedamada River. The dam drains a catchment area of 6,464 square kilometres (2,496 sq mi) which includes 1,797.46 square kilometres (694.00 sq mi) of free catchment and the balance is intercepted catchment. Karimanagar town is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from the dam.
In the vicinity of the LMD which is the only place of recreation for the people of Karimnagar, in the light of recent drowning incidents and the insecurity created by hooligans, security measures have been stepped up.
Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple
Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in Telangana, India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the town of Vemulawada, Telangana, India.Historically the region was the capital of the Vemulawada Chalukyas who ruled from 750 to 973 CE.
The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy who is locally known as Rajanna and is adorned by the idol of Raja Rajeshwari Devi on the right side and the idol of Laxmi Sahitha Siddi Vinayaka on the left.
Within the temple premises numerous shrines known as upalayas are dedicated to different deities, including Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, Rama accompanied by Seetha and Laxmana, Anjaneya Swamy, and others. Each of these deities has a separate shrine within the temple.
Molangur Fort
Molangur Fort was built by Voragiri Moggaraju, a high-ranking official in the Kakatiya dynasty under Prathapa Rudra. As the Kakatiyas made their way from Warangal Fort to Elgandal Fort in Karimnagar, this structure was built to serve as a rest stop along the route. The Archaeological Department has designated the Molangur fort as a historical landmark worthy of preservation.
The fort is built atop a massive granite hill. An inscription on a boulder on the summit of the hill provides directions to the fort from two different directions. One can visit the Dargah of the Muslim saint Molang Shah Wali at the fort's main gate.
The fort is constructed on a huge granite hill that made it difficult for anybody to climb it from any side. On the way to the top of the hill, an inscription carved on a boulder mentions that there are two ways to the fort. At the entrance of the fort there is a Dargah of Molang Shah Wali, a muslim saint. It is reported that the original name of the village was Mudugar. It appears to have been renamed as Molangur after the name of the Muslim saint Molang Shah Wali.
Dharmapuri Temple
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is located in Dharmapuri town, Jagitial district, in Telangana, India. It is the abode of Narsimha Swamy, the fourth avatar of Vishnu, and his consort Devi Lakshmi. The place has garnered considerable crowd over the years. The temple was built during the reign of the Chalukyas, and later expanded by the Kakatiyas.
The temple houses three forms of Narasimha. The first is in his natural seated posture. The second is the angry Ugra form with which he had destroyed the demon Hiranyakashipu. The third is the Saumya (peaceful) avatar of Balaji, similar to the one at Tirupati. There is a small temple of Sri Venugopal as well, with Rukmini and Satyabhama. An idol of Yama, the lord of Dharma, stands at the entrance of the temple and the devotees are said to offer their first prayer to him when they come to Dharmapuri, and then to Lord Aanjaney Swamy, the Kshetra Swamy, and chief devotee of Vishnu.
A Brahmotsav is held after holi each year. The temple also witnesses weddings of couples who wish to commence their life together with the blessing of the lord. Other Hindu festivals such as Bonalu, Dussera, etc are also celebrated here. Pilgrims generally perform ‘Satya Narayana Puja’ at this place.
Deer Park
Deer Park arranged in Karimnagar District. Rajeev Gandhi Deer stop is situated in Karimangar approx 30-section of land arrive close to Lower Manair Dam LMD on the edges of Karimnagar. Deer Park is one of most popular visitor put in Karimnagar. Deer Park is situated in ourskirts of Karimnagar and called as Rajeev Gandhi Deer Park. It is close by Ujwala Park and Lower Manair Dam LMD . This Rajeev Deer stop is situated in a sprawling approx 30 section of land arrive close to Lower Manair Dam on the edges of Karimnagar close NTR statue. Deer Park is arranged at the passage of Karimnagar while originating from Hyderabad or Warangal after Alugunoor connect close by Ujwala Park Karimnagar.
Deer Park in Karimnagar, Telangana, India, often referred to as Rajeev Gandhi Deer Park, is an abode for several species of deer including the spotted deer or chital. Spread over a vast expanse of land featuring lush greenery and a tranquil environment, the park serves not only as a habitat for deer but also as a recreational space for visitors.