Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) today conducted the road-show at Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF) Mumbai in order to promote tourist places in the new state of Telangana.

Gloious Telangana, known for its vibrancy in economic as well as social growth, today showcased its equally vibrant with fascinating fusion of History and Modernity, with enchanting Eco-destinations for exhilarating weekends, marvelous heritage experience with blissful environs and architectural wonders of tourist destinations at the Road Show held today at Nehru Centre, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Mumbai.

The trade visitors at the Road Show, who were under impression that Telangana is not only a land of heritage and culture, are left spellbound by state’s marvelous growth with medial tourism, film tourism, MICE hub, adventure destinations with rich ethnic cuisines were displayed at Telangana State Tourism Department’s Road Show in Mumbai. They werequite impressed by what the state offers to an avid traveler, apart from the vast range of tourism landscapes including Heritage, Archaeology, Religion, Wildlife / Ecotourism and Handicrafts.

“Apart from high end income visitors, People in Maharashtra are also known for their inclination towards leisure. That is why the state has emerged as an important market for the tourism industry in the country and now it is on the radar of Telangana. With this road-show, we also look forward to have tie-ups with tour operators in the state.” says Mr. Sumeet Singh, Jt. Managing Director, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation.

Telangana has a wide spectrum of traditions, cuisines, cultures and religions. The state is a Gateway to South India where one can explore through the luxurious landscape. Synonymous to Spicy Kebabs, aromatic Biryanis and Pure Pearls, Telangana is the Koh-I-Noor of India radiating an aura of fascinating mystique.

The state invites millions of tourists, not only because of rich heritage, but also because of various tourist attractions. These include capital city of Nizams :: A fascinating Fusion of History and Modernity – Hyderabad, Gateway to History – A Legacy of Royal Heritage – Warangal, A Pilgrimage to Lord Rama’s Abode – Bhadrachalam, Visit the tranquil and wonderful scared grove – Kondagattu, Enchanting Eco-destinations for exhilarating weekends – Ananthagiri and Jannaram, Where History and Nature Abound – Nizamabad, Marvellous Medak – A heritage experience – Medak, Blissful Environs & Architectural Wonders – Nagarjunasagar.

The youngest medieval city of Telanganana, Hyderabad is the joint capital adorned with sobriquets. Known popularly as Twin City, Cyberabad & the Pearl City, Hyderabad entices every visitor with self defining culture. The capital city has the grandeur of Golconda fort, beauty of picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake, charming Charminar and delectable cuisines, luring a traveller to visit this place once in a lifetime.

Hyderabad has been a favorite destination for travelers and it is not hard to understand why, the city with its glorious rich history, is a fascinating blend of the past and present.  It is a perfect introduction to the composite cultures of an ancient land-a window to the kaleidoscope that is India. Hyderabad offers many attractions for its visitors.  Its multifaceted existence is tantalizing and can entice the traveler into a fascinating journey of discovery.  Hyderabad’s unhurried pace and natural beauty invites you to slow down. Stroll through time at sites chronicling 400 years of history. Meander though gardens and parks that play symphony to nature’s chorus.  Bask in hospitality that remains true to its framed traditional roots. So get set for a timeless encounter with the histrionic grandeur, the rich culture and the royal heritage that the enchanting Pearl City offers.

Warangal, 144 km from Hyderabad, is noted for its beautiful lakes, splendid temples and wildlife. Proud of its rich past Warangal or Orugallu as its was known in ancient times, presents a dramatic landscape steeped in history and a wealth of architecture. Situated 144 km from Hyderabad, Warangal takes its mystique from one of Telangana’s most fascinating dynasties – the Kakatiyas, Among the magnificent historic Kakatiya Ekasila Gate, the richly carved amazingly beautiful Thousand Pillar Temple, the stunning 15^th century Ramappa Temple and lake, with its rich and intricate sculpture, Bhadrakali Temple and many more architectural gems. Warangal Fort with its grand granite gateways, is an imposing sight.  One of India’s best bird-watching spots, the Pakhal lake and the Pakhal Wildlife sanctuary are not to be missed. Telangana tourism provides accommodation for a comfortable stay at Warangal.

Kondagattu is located on state Highway going from Karimnagar to Jagitial at a distance of 35 kms from Karimnagar.  Kondagattu Temple located on a hillock is one of the most famous temples of Karimnagar District.  Situated admist hills, valleys and water falls, Kondagattu is blessed by nature and is very scenic.

Nizamabad is the northwestern interior district of Telangana.  Located 172 km from Hyderabad, it was the former capital of the Rashtrakutas and lies close to the Maharashtra Border.  It was formerly known as Induru after the Rashtrakuta King Indrudu.  Nizamabad is a compact district with unusual sights to behold.  The district boasts of over half a dozen temples, a picturesque Dargah, a couple of beautiful lakeside resorts, a dam and deep dark forests.  The famous Qilla Ramalayam, is a temple built in a fort.  It lies in the heart of Nizamabad and is a landmark of by itself.  Alisagar is a most popular weekend spot.  The lush forest, a deer park a summer house, and boating on a lake make it an idyllic getaway.  Ashok Sagar 7 km from alike Alisagar also has a rock garden. Dichpally Ramalayam, Banyan tree, Armoor Rock Formations and Pochampad Project are some of the places worth visiting.

Bhadrachalam – For the devout pilgrim to Telangana Tourism a visit to the famous temple of Lord Rama, at Bhadrachalam, a temple town on the banks of river Godavari, will invariably come high on the itinerary.  This temple of the presiding deity Sri.Sitaramachandra Swamy is among the most famous temples of South India.  Lakhs of devotees converge to this temple town during Sri.Rama Navami, when the marriage of the divine couple is performed with great devotion and grand celebrations.  The 10-day Kalyanotsava and Vaikunta Ekadasi Celebrations are worth witnessing.  Bhadrachalam is located 332 km from Hyderabad.  The temple is set on a scenic hillock with a spectacular view of the river Godavari flowing nearby.  This temple is unique in enshrining the ‘Chaturbhuja(Four armed) Rama.  On his lap sits his consort Sita Devi. The sanctum is profusely ornamented in silver.  This beautiful temple came into existence in the 17^thcentury, and was built by Bhakta Ramdas who devoted his life to its constructions, undergoing tribulations and was finally redeemed by Lord Rama and Lakshmana themselves.

Medak a district in the state of Telangana is bound by Warangal and Nalgonda Districts in the east and Hyderabad district in the south.  From the western side, this district shares its boundaries with Karnataka state and from northern side, with Nizamabad District.  Major rivers flowing through the district are Manjeera, Valdhi, Gudleruvagu and Kadaleru.  This district is spread over an area of 9,699 sq.km out of which 9.96% is covered by forest.  In Medak District, people are engaged in agriculture and allied activities.  A major attraction of this district is Medak Church, which is the single largest diocese in Asia and second largest in the world.  Medak Fort is another major attraction of the district, which is frequented by tourists visiting the region.

Ananthagiri Hills – located 75 km from Hyderabad, just 6 km from Vikarabad, this mini hill range shrouded by thick woods.  The Ananthagiri forest is one of the larger forest areas in Ranga Reddy Ditrict.  The precincts of Vikarabad have always been a place of excitement because of the lush, rich surrounding forests.  Green foliage dappled with colorful fauna is what makes the Ananthagiri forest, a lovely place to be.  Tourists invariably come to watch these mysterious woods which are supposed to be one of the most beautiful jungles of South India.  Trekking and Walks in the forest area are favorite activities of the tourists at Ananthagiri.  This startlingly beautiful hill location is an ideal and upcoming summer resort.

Ananthagiri is perched at an altitude where the panoramic vista unfolds stunning viewpoints.  The experience of wandering about in the Ananthagiri forests is adventurous as well as thrilling.  Some fantastic birds, weird insects and a few old trees is what one can see here.  But one is enchanted by the beauty of nature which is pristine, impeccable and unspoiled.  Ananthagiri is also called the ‘Ooty of Telangana.

Nagarjunasagar  – a dream destination for perfect relaxation, Nagarjunasagar is a massive irrigation project on River Krishna about 150 km from Hyderabad.  The region has a rich and interesting past.  It was a valley with civilizations dating back to thousand of years, Archeologists assert that the fertile Krishna Valley hummed with life in the third millennium BC.  The tallest masonry dam in the world, Nagarjunasagar, was constructed here, standing 124 metres high, and creating the largest man made lake.  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru called Nagarjunasagar a ‘Temjple of Modern India.  It creates the largest manmade lake with a capacity of 11,472 million cubic metres.  The  waterspread of the reservoir is about 380sq.km. The valley was the site of an ancient Buddhist civilization and is named after the Buddhist saint Acharya Nagarjuna.  It is considered as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Telangana.

Mr. Sumeet Singh, Jt.Managing Director, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation,  also informed at the Road show about the new initiatives taken up recently such as adventure tourism activities at Bhongir Fort, Jannaram Eco-Project destination and other package tours like Road cum rail and Road cum cruise, temple packages. The prominent selling points of the road show were as below:

TSTDC has introduced new Package Tours to fit the specific needs of tourists. The tour is designed taking into consideration the requirements of the tourists and TSTDC helps plan the entire itinerary providing a seamless tour experience.  Services offered in package –Transport, Accommodation, Sightseeing and also hassle free Darshan of Lord Balaji is included apart from other major attractive tourist destinations of Telangana.

TSTDC owns a considerable size of transport fleet 63 which includes high end Volvo and Mercedes Benz coaches, a/c and non a/c coaches. The fleet will be deployed for conducting regular and on demand packages.  TSTDC added two more feathers to its pride by introducing CARAVAN vehicle and latest model of innova vehicles, and it is worth while to inform that it is the first tourism corporation to introduce CARAVAN vehicle in southern tourism industry.

TSTDC have a chain of Haritha Hotels which are spread across the state of Telangana at all major tourist destinations with a size of 33 hotels which includes wayside amenities on major national highways.  While focusing on the fore front of adventure and eco-tourism projects, TSTDC is organizing adventure clubs at Bhongir Fort for rock climbing activities and trekking, adventure jeep ride into the forest at Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Jannaram in Adilabad District.

TSTDC owns the largest water fleet – about 95 which comprises small and big boats — when compared with any other Tourism Corporation.  The corporation operates leisure based cruises and water sports at different lakes and rivers of the State, Parasailing activity at  Hussain Sagar, etc.,  are very popular for leisure cruises apart from American phontoon boats.

TSTDC presents Sound & Light shows at two historical forts – Golconda Fort and Warangal  Fort. These shows have recorded narrations (English, Hindi & Telugu) along with imaginative use of music, sound and light effects – creating a dramatic history of the forts.

Source: Lokesh Shastri