Bhadradri Kothagudem District (భద్రాద్రి కొత్తగూడెం జిల్లా) - 1 | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

History

• Bhadradri Kothagudem district is a newly formed district, separated from the erstwhile Khammam district. It shares its borders with Bhoopalapalle, Mahabubabad, and Khammam districts, as well as the states of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The district is divided into 23 mandals and 2 Revenue divisions: Kothagudem and Bhadrachalam. The administrative center of the district is situated in Kothagudem town.
• Bhadradri Kothagudem district holds historical significance as it emerged from the former Khammam district. This region has a rich historical past, with influences from different eras. One of the prominent towns in the district is Bhadrachalam, known for its religious importance and association with the epic Ramayana.
• Bhadrachalam, situated on the banks of the Godavari River, derives its name from Bhadragiri, the mountain believed to be the abode of Bhadra, the offspring of Meru and Menaka. The town houses the revered temple of Bhadrachalam, where idols of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are worshipped. These idols are considered self-manifested, adding to the spiritual aura of the place.

Industries

Kothagudem district is home to several major industries that contribute significantly to the region's economy.
Notable among them are:

• The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL): A government coal mining entity jointly owned by the Government of Telangana and the Government of India. Its headquarters are based in Kothagudem.
• Kothagudem Thermal Power Station: Located in Palvoncha, this power plant is a key player in the state's energy sector. It operates as part of the Telangana Power Generation Corporation Limited (TSGENCO).
• ITC- Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division (ITC-PSPD): Situated near Bhadrachalam, this division of ITC contributes to the paper and packaging industry, showcasing the district's diverse industrial landscape.

Forest Reserves

• Kothagudem district boasts the largest expanse of forests in the region, covering areas like Bhadrachalam, Manuguru, Burgampahad, Kothagudem, and Yellandu.
• Noteworthy forest resources include teak, bamboo, eucalyptus, beedi leaves, honey, tamarind, and nux vomica.

University

• The University College of Engineering, Kakatiya University (KUCE), previously known as the Kothagudem School of Mines (KSM), stands as the pioneering mining college in Telangana and the second in India.
• Established in 1957 at Kothagudem Collieries, the Government Polytechnic Kothagudem (formerly Government Mining Institute) serves the purpose of advancing Technical Education.

Several points of interest enrich the landscape of Kothagudem:

• Bhadrachalam, a significant pilgrimage town, is situated in Kothagudem district on the banks of the Godavari River. It holds deep historical connections to the Ramayana era, with its name derived from "Bhadragiri," meaning the mountain abode of Bhadra, the child of Meru and Menaka. The renowned temple in Bhadrachalam is dedicated to Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshmana, with their idols believed to be self-manifested.
• The Kinnerasani project, located at Yanamboil village in Palvoncha mandal, is a storage reservoir constructed on the Kinnerasani River, an important tributary of the Godavari. The landscape along the Kinnerasani River is adorned with lush greenery, offering breathtaking scenic beauty. The Kinnerasani sanctuary, nestled within the Dandakaranya Forests, serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, attracting tourists who enjoy spotting animals in their natural habitat.
• Parnashala, situated in the Dummugudem mandal, is a popular tourist destination associated with the epic Ramayana. It is believed to be the place where the demon king Ravana abducted Goddess Sita. The village showcases this significant event from the Ramayana through beautifully crafted sculptures depicting Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshmana, and Ravana.

Places of Interest

Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary can be found approximately 12 kilometers away from Palvancha town, situated in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district. 
• Spanning 635.4 square kilometers, this sanctuary boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including leopards, spotted deer, gaurs, and various bird species. It derives its name from the Kinnerasani River.

Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam

• Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam is a revered place that draws in numerous devotees globally. It serves as the residence of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Sri Mahavishnu. Situated amidst a hill area surrounded by the sacred river Godavari flowing southwards, this renowned sanctuary is known as Bhadrachalam. The name Bhadrachalam is derived from Bhadragiri, which means the Mountain of Bhadra, a blessed child of Meru and Menaka. According to ancient legends, the significance of this temple traces back to the time of the Ramayana.
• This sacred hill location existed in the Dandakaranya region during the Ramayana era, where Rama, Sita, and Laxmana spent their exile. Parnashaala, the site linked to the famous Golden Deer incident and Sita's abduction by Ravana, is also in close proximity to this temple. It is believed that at this temple site, long after the era of Rama, Lord Vishnu reincarnated as Rama once again to fulfill a promise He made to His devotee Bhadra, who devotedly performed Tapas (austerity) through ages, seeking the grace of Lord Sri Ramachandra.

Key Points

• The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Sri Mahavishnu.
• Bhadrachalam, the sacred hill area where the temple is situated, is encircled by the holy river Godavari.
• Legend has it that the temple's significance dates back to the time of the Ramayana, where Rama, Sita, and Laxmana resided during their exile.
• The temple site is linked to Parnashaala, the place associated with the Golden Deer incident and Sita's abduction by Ravana.
• Lord Vishnu is believed to have manifested as Rama once again at this temple to fulfill a promise to His devotee Bhadra.

The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL)

• Discovery of Coal: In 1871, Dr. King from the Geological Survey of India identified coal near Yellandu village in Khammam district. One of the significant coal seams was named after him.
• Company Formation: The Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited, established in England, obtained mining rights in 1886 to extract coal from the Yellandu region. The current entity was officially formed on December 23, 1920, under the Hyderabad Companies Act as a public limited company known as 'The Singareni Collieries Company Limited' (SCCL).
• Ownership Evolution: The State of Hyderabad acquired the majority of shares in 1945, leading to governmental control. Over the years, the ownership transitioned to the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1956 due to state reorganization.
• Expansion and Joint Ownership: Significant expansion occurred during the initial Five-Year Plans. Starting from 1960, both the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Government of India jointly owned SCCL, with the latter also providing financial support and transferring its shares to the Coal Mines Authority Limited in 1974.
• Agreements and Control: Agreements were made in 1974 and 1977 involving SCCL, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of India, and Coal India Limited, marking a shift in control and financial assistance arrangements.
• Financial Assistance Agreements: Agreements for financial and other support were signed between the Government of India, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and SCCL on various dates from 1985 to 2010, known as tripartite agreements.
• SCCL's Mining Activities: SCCL's primary role is to explore and extract coal deposits in the Godavari valley coalfield, the main source of coal in South India. Mining operations of SCCL are currently active in four Telangana districts: Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Warangal.
• Coal Reserves in the Godavari Valley Coalfield: Geological Survey of India studies indicate substantial coal reserves of about 22,207 million tonnes in the Godavari valley coalfield, extending up to a depth of 1200 meters. These reserves include proved, indicated, and inferred coal quantities as of March 31, 2015.
• Coal Extraction by SCCL: SCCL has extracted approximately 1501 million tonnes of coal from the Godavari valley coalfield until the fiscal year 2019-20.

Parnashala

• Parnasala is a quaint village situated 32 kilometers away from the sacred town Bhadrachalam in Telangana, India. Its remote location poses a slight challenge for visitors, who can only access it by road or boat.
• Legend has it that Lord Shri Ram, during his fourteen-year exile, resided in this village. The nearby stream, known as Sita Vaagu, is believed to be where Sita, his wife, bathed. Evidence like imprints in "Radhagutta" further reinforce these beliefs. Parnasala also holds historical significance as the site where Lord Shri Ram slew Maricha Rakshas, who had appeared as a golden deer to deceive Goddess Sita.
• Parnasala, now a popular picnic spot in Bhadrachalam, is associated with the abduction of Goddess Sita by the malevolent king Ravan. Sculptures of Shri Ram, Sita, Laxman, and Ravan vividly depict scenes from the epic Ramayana, showcasing pivotal events.