Jogulamba Gadwal (జోగులాంబ గద్వాల్) - 2 | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Tourist Places

• Thummilla Lift Irrigation Project is a lift irrigation project situated in the Jogulamba Gadwal district of Telangana State, India. The project is being constructed at an estimated cost of 783 crores Indian Rupees. 
• Phase I of the initiative was projected to finalize by June 2018. This project falls under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme and is anticipated to provide irrigation for 87,000 acres in Gadwal and Alampur.

How to Reach

• RGIA-Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport is the nearest airport, located approximately 245 kilometers from this tourist place.
• Manopad is the nearest railway station, situated around 35 kilometers away.
• This place is about 12 kilometers from Rajoli Mandal, and road transport facilities are available from the town.

Rajoli Dam

• The Rajolibanda Dam Scheme (RDS) was initiated on the Tungabhadra River, with significant progress made on the headworks and the left bank canal by 1956. In 2013, the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-2 allocated four (4) tmcft of water for the construction of the RDS right bank canal in Kurnool district.
• The RDS left canal serves as a source of irrigation water for Raichur district and Mahbubnagar district of Telangana. However, despite an allocation of 17.1 tmcft by the Bachawat Tribunal for its left canal, only 8 to 10 tmcft is being provided to Mahabubnagar farmers, falling short of their entitlement of 15.9 tmcft.
• The Rajolibanda project faces challenges due to insufficient continuous flows, mainly because of excessive water usage in its catchment area in Karnataka. To address this, a proposed solution involves connecting the upstream catchment area to the Narayanpur reservoir across the adjacent Krishna River via a 20 km-long tunnel. This initiative aims to augment water supply, particularly for irrigation purposes, in the uplands of Raichur and Mahbubnagar districts, as well as the lowlands of Kurnool district.
• By ensuring reliable Krishna River water supply instead of relying on the unpredictable Tungabhadra River water, the plan aims to benefit existing projects such as the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal in Raichur district, the Rajolibanda Left Bank Canal, and the historic K. C. Canal, which is over 150 years old. Additionally, the proposal includes the construction of a new canal/weir across the Tungabhadra River upstream of the Rajolibanda Project to divert augmented Krishna River water for additional irrigation in Kurnool district. This approach aims to conserve substantial Tungabhadra reservoir water for use in new upstream projects while ensuring reliable water supply to existing projects.

How to Reach

• RGIA-Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport is the nearest airport, approximately 235 km away from this tourist place.
• Manopad is the nearest railway station, located around 20 km away.
• This place is about 2 km from Rajoli Mandal, and road transport facilities are available from the town.

Beechupally Hanuman Temple

• Beechupally Hanuman Temple is a renowned shrine dedicated to the god Hanuman (Anjaneya Swamy). Situated on the banks of the Krishna River in the JOGULAMBA GADWAL district of Telangana, approximately 30 kilometers downstream from the Jurala Project, this temple holds significant religious and historical importance.
• The location of Beechupally is known for its traditional Hindu rituals, including ceremonies for the deceased conducted along the Krishna River.
• The temple's growth was influenced by the construction of the national highway NH7, which facilitated trade between Telangana and the Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh. This highway, now referred to as NH-44, played a crucial role in connecting central/north India with southern India.
• Initially, the complex consisted of a Hanuman temple located around 200 meters from the river and a Shiva lingam temple close to the riverbank. During the monsoon season, the water levels rise, reaching the Shiva lingam temple. Additionally, a temple dedicated to Lord Rama was constructed in 1992. To accommodate pilgrims, several bathing ghats were constructed for the pushkara snanam ritual, which occurs every 12 years. Over time, the site has undergone further development, particularly in preparation for the 2004 pushkaras, enhancing its status as a prominent location for sacred bathing rituals.

Beechupally Temple Information

• During the 2016 Krishna Pushkaras event, the Telangana State government organized extensive arrangements and built numerous ghats for the visiting pilgrims.
• The Beechupally shrine is situated near two islands on the Krishna River. One island, Gurram Gadda village, spans approximately 10 km² and is inhabited by farmers attracted by its fertile soil. The other island on the east side is known as Nizam Konda, a port historically associated with the Nizam Nawabs.

How to Reach

• RGIA-Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport serves as the nearest airport, located approximately 180 km from the temple site.
• The closest railway station is Gadwal, situated around 15 km away.
• Beechupally Temple is positioned roughly 220 km from Hyderabad and 15 km from Gadwal Town. It is conveniently accessible via the Hyderabad-Bangalore National Highway No.44.

Gadwal Fort

• Gadwal is a city and the district headquarters of Jogulamba Gadwal district in the Indian state of Telangana. It is situated 188 km (117 mi) away from the state capital, Hyderabad, and functions as a state assembly constituency. 
• Historically, Gadwal served as the capital of Gadwal Samsthanam, a vassal of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Previously, Gadwal was a part of the Raichur region in Hyderabad-Karnataka.

How to Reach 

• RGIA-Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport is the nearest airport, located approximately 170 kilometers from this tourist place.
• Gadwal is the nearest railway station, situated about 2 kilometers away.
• This place is nearly half a kilometer from Gadwal Town, with road transport facilities available from the town.

Alampur Jogulamba Devi

• Alampur is a quiet town located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in Telangana. It is known as the western entrance to Srisailam. The temples and remnants of ancient structures in Alampur showcase the Badami Chalukyan architectural style. This region has been governed by various South Indian dynasties. The primary deities at the Jogulamba temple are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeshwara. Jogulamba is revered as the 5th Shakti Peeta among the 18 shakti peetams in India. The goddess is depicted seated on a corpse with a scorpion, frog, and lizard on her head. She is portrayed in a fierce form, sticking her tongue out, known as Jogulamba, granting Siddhi in Yoga. The name is derived from "Yogula Amma" in Telugu, meaning Mother of Yogis.
• Legend has it that in the 6th century, there was a revered saint named Rasa Siddha, who had the ability to transform base metals into gold. He was close to the Chalukya king Pulakesi II and was instrumental in constructing temples known as 'Nava Brahmas.' As per the legend, the nine names of Siva represent medicinal herbs introduced by Rasa Siddha, corresponding to nine temples in Alampur. These temples include the Swarga Brahma Temple, Padma Brahma Temple, Vishva Brahma Temple, Arka Brahma Temple, Bala Brahma Temple, Garuda Brahma Temple, and Taraka Brahma Temple. The Siddha Rasarnavam, a tantric text, mentions that through prescribed Tantra practices, Mercury oozes from specific deities, such as the Linga of Bala Brahma, Thighs of Subramanya, Navel of Ganapati, and Mouth of Mother Jogulamba. This Mercury can be transformed into Gold using the mentioned medicinal herbs.
• The renowned temple stands as a tribute to Chalukya Art and Culture. Alampur is situated at the confluence of the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers, earning it the epithet "Dakshina Kailasam." Legend has it that Brahma, the creator deity, undertook extensive penance at the site of present-day Alampur for thousands of years. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva granted Brahma the power of creation. Therefore, the deity in the temple is also known as Brahmeswara, while the goddess is referred to as Yogini or Jogulamba, synonymous with mother Parvathi.

Temple Timings

• All Days of the Week: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 8:30 PM

How to Reach

• The nearest airport is RGIA-Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport, approximately 200 km away.
• Alampur road serves as the closest railway station, situated around 9 km from the temple.
• Alampur is easily accessible via the Hyderabad-Bangalore highway, located about 220 km from Hyderabad.

Jurala Dam

• The Jurala Dam, also known as the Priyadarshini Project, is situated approximately 10 kilometers away from Kurvapur village in the Mahabubnagar district of Telangana. Positioned on the Krishna River, the reservoir stands at an elevation of 1045 feet. Inaugurated in 1995, this hydroelectric project boasts a capacity of 11.94 TMC. The Kuravpur Kshetra River merges its waters with this project at this location.
• Jurala, located about 60 kilometers from Mahabubnagar town, lies amidst the towns of Atmakur and Gadwal. To access Jurala Dam, one can board a train from Gadwal and then travel an additional 20 kilometers to reach the project site. The River Krishna flows into Telangana through the Mahabubnagar district.
• Being the sole hydroelectric project in Telangana with a consistent water supply year-round, the dam holds national significance. Consequently, tourists, particularly from Karnataka and Maharashtra, frequent this location.
• In addition to the vibrant dam, which sustains life year-round, there is a Deer Park located approximately 1½ kilometers from the reservoir. This park is home to around 100 deer, adding a touch of nature's beauty to the area. Adding to the spiritual ambiance of the region, there are the Ramalayam and Parthasaradhi Temple situated near the Jurala Dam. As a popular tourist destination, the dam attracts numerous local visitors throughout the year, drawn by its scenic beauty and tranquil surroundings.

How to Reach

• RGIA-Hyderabad Shamshabad Airport is the nearest airport, approximately 118 km away.
• The nearest railway station is Gadwal, around 20 km from the destination.
• Located about 19 km from Gadwal Town, with road transportation available from the town.