KARIMNAGAR HISTORY

Karimnagar's early history is dominated by the famous kingdoms of Satavahanas & Kakatiyas. Koti Lingala in Karimnagar was the first capital of the Sathavahanas before Dharanikota. Excavations at Koti Lingala revealed coinage of Simukha, a Satavahana emperor. Karimnagar was originally called Kareem Nagar, deriving its name from Syed Kareemullah Shah Saheb Quadri. It was one of the regional capitals during the rule of the Nizams.There are many historical monuments are there such as Tower circle,Kaman circle and Elgandal Fort which is 12 km away from karimnagar Town.

KARIMNAGAR TOURISM (Rajarajeshwara Temple, Vemulawada)

Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy temple and the Mosque inside the premises Vemulawada, located 150 km from Hyderabad is known for Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple. It is one of the very few temples devoted to Lord Siva. Popularly known as Dakshana Kashi (Benaras of South India) the temple attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the country. The Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple is a fine example of communal harmony where both Hindus and Muslims offer obeisance to Lord Siva and Allah. The temple at Vemulawada is next only to Tirupati in terms of its revenues. The temple contributes Rs. 8 lakhs anually to the gram Panchayat for developmental activities in the pilgrim town. Special arrangements are made for the pilgrims during the festival. Several cultural and social activities are also organised by the authorities. Free boarding and lodging is provided to the students. Besides, the temple also offers donations for other small temples. On the Sivaratri day, a record three to four lakh pilgrims through the sacred temple at Vemulawada. Special poojas and darshans are held to mark the festivity. Mahalingarchana is performed by about hundred archakas. At midnight Ekadasa Rudrabhishekham is performed to the deity. The temple is brightly illuminated in the night, presenting an aesthetic look.

KALESHWARAM

Kaleshwaram is the site of the famous Shiva temple called "Kaleswara muktheswara swamy", in the border of the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. It is 277 kilometers from Hyderabad ,125 kilometers from the town of Karimnagar, 115 kilometers from Warangal, and 60 kilometers from Manthani.Kaleshwaram is located exactly at the merging point of the River Pranahita (tributary of Godavari) with the Godavari River . Significance of Mukteshwara Swamy Temple: This ancient temple holds a unique significance as two Shiva Lingas found on a single pedestal,one is Lord Shiva and Lord Yama, collectively known as Kaleswara Mukteswara Swamy. Kaleswaram, is one of the places of the three Shiva temples mentioned in Trilinga Desham (Land of Three Lingams), another name for Telugu speaking region, the Andhra Pradesh, the other two being Draksharamam and Srishailam. This place is also called Dakshina Triveni Sangamam, as two rivers meet here along with third illusionary flow of Antarvaahini. It is said[by whom?] that a long time back one Vaishya has performed abhisheka to Kaleswara Mukteswara with hundreds of milk pots and the milk evolved at the sangamam of Godavari and Pranahita. Hence the name Dakshina Gangotri (other being Allahabad, or Prayaga) Kaleswaram gets a huge number of piligrms during the Karthika Month of Indian Calendar and Maha Shiva Ratri.

DHARMAPURI

Dharmapuri is situated at a distance of about 28-30 km from Jagityal town and 51 km from Peddapalle railway station on the Kazipet-Balharsha section of the South Central Railway. Dharmapuri attained religious importance owing to the existence of the shrine dedicated to Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Siva With Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka and Sapitha Mathrukas carved on a single slab of stone and Mahishasuramardhani, the sixty pillared temple, Mahalakshmi temple, and Akkapalle Rajanna temple are the other temples of importance that heighten the sancity of the places of tourist interest in the state. Dharmapuri has one of the largest settlement of Vedic Brahmins in Andhra Pradesh. There is a Sanskrit College and even till date. There have been some traditional families practicing Vedic Hymns and some of the family even have old Talapatra scriptures. There are several small temples virtually in every corner of the street of the town. Until recently people, mostly brahmin scholars have taken bath in river Godavari before they would perform vedic rites in the temple. There is one rare temple of the God Dattatreya [son of Lord Brahma] which is very rare. Dharmpuri is located on the Bank of River Godavari. River Godavari flows West to East except in Dharmapuri where it flows North to South hence the river is termed as Dakshina Vahini