Khammam District (ఖమ్మం జిల్లా) | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Historical Background

• The origin of the name 'Khammam' is linked to the temple 'Narasimhadri' situated on a hill in the town. Initially known as 'Stamba Sikhari' and later as 'Stambadhri', the temple holds a significant legend. 
• It is believed that lord Narasimha emerged from a stone pillar at this site, defeating the malevolent king Hiranya kasyapu to protect his young devotee Prahlada during the Krutayuga era. 
• The vertical rock beneath the temple is called 'Kamba', leading to the town being named Kambamettu, eventually evolving into Khammam.

Geographical Profile

• The Khammam district is located in the Telangana region, situated between 16°45' and 18°35' of Northern Latitude and 79°47' and 80°47' of Eastern Longitude. It shares its boundaries with Chattisgarh and Orissa states to the North, East Godavari and West Godavari to the East, Krishna to the South, and Nalgonda and Warangal to the West. 
• The central and eastern parts of the district are predominantly hilly.

Rivers

• Several significant rivers traverse through the Khammam district including the Godavari, Sabari, Kinnerasani, Munneru, Paleru, Akeru, and Wyra. For example, the Munneru River originates in the Warangal district and flows southwards, passing through Kothagudem and Khammam revenue divisions.
• Another river, Akeru, also rising in the Warangal district, flows in a southeastern direction and eventually merges with the Munneru at Thirdala village.
• Similarly, the Paleru River flows almost parallel to the Munneru, intersecting Kakaravai village of Tirumalaipalem. Wyra River flows southwards and converges with the Munneru River in the Krishna district.

Climate and Rainfall

• The climate in the region is relatively consistent. While temperatures can soar as high as 40.7°C in May, the annual rainfall is 879.1 mm, which is below the normal average of 1124.0 mm in Khammam, indicating a 21.78% deficit.

Soil

• The soil composition varies across the district. Sandy loams dominate the southern region of the Godavari River, while Madhira mandal and areas near the river boast fertile black soil resembling the delta lands of Godavari. 
• The primary soil types are Chalaka (43%), Dubba (28%), and Black soil (29%).

Flora & Fauna

• The district's forests are home to a variety of tree species such as teak, nallamaddi, chandra, and bamboo. Forest cover occupies approximately 4% of the district's total area, totaling 7,59,438 hectares.
• The flora can be categorized into timber, softwood, fuel, bamboo shrubs, climbers, and various other vegetation yielding spices and minor forest produce.
• The region is rich in wildlife, hosting a diverse array of quadrupeds, avians, reptiles, and birds. Both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes are prevalent throughout the district.

District Composition

• Khammam town used to be a part of the larger Warangal district until October 1st, 1953. At that time, five taluks from the Warangal district - Khammam, Madhira, Yellandu, Burgampadu, and Palwancha (now Kothagudem) - were separated to form a new district, with Khammam as its headquarters.
• In 1985, with the implementation of the mandal system, the district was reorganized into 46 mandals across four revenue divisions: Khammam, Kothagudem, Palwancha, and Bhadrachalam.
• The district is home to six towns or municipalities, namely Khammam, Kothagudem, Yellandu, Palwancha, Sathupally, and Manuguru.
• Among the 46 mandals, 29 are entirely located within the Scheduled Tribes (ST) sub-plan area, while two mandals partially fall within this area.
• There are a total of 1242 revenue villages in the district, which include 894 scheduled villages, 348 non-scheduled villages, 128 deserted villages, and 771 Gram Panchayats (comprising 18 major and 753 minor Gram Panchayats).

Area, Population and Other related characteristics

• Area and Density: Khammam district spans an area of 16,029 square kilometers with a population density of 174 individuals per square kilometer.
• Villages: There are a total of 1242 villages in Khammam district. Among these, 1114 are inhabited villages, while the rest are uninhabited.
• Population Statistics: According to the 2011 census, the district's total population is 2,797,370, representing 3.3% of the state's total population. The male population stands at 1,390,988 (49.72% of the district's population), and the female population is 1,406,382 (50.28% of the district's population).
• Rural and Urban Population: In 2011, the rural population of Khammam district was 2,141,459, constituting 80.19% of the district's population and 3.73% of the state's rural population. The urban population, spread across 9 towns, was 655,911, making up 19.81% of the district's population and 2.46% of the state's urban population.
• Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Population: The scheduled caste population in the district is 462,896 (16.54% of the district's population), while the scheduled tribe population is 765,565 (26.47% of the district's population).
• Population Growth and Demographics: The population in the district grew by 16.39% from the 2001 census to the 2011 census. The literacy rate is 65.46%, higher than the state average of 60.47%. The sex ratio is 1011 females per 1000 males, and the working population is 1,410,062, representing 50.41% of the district's population and 3.57% of the state's working population.

Parliament and Assembly Constituencies

The district includes the Khammam parliamentary constituency along with 5 Assembly Constituencies.

• Khammam
• Palair
• Madhira
• Wyra
• Sathupally

Places of Interest

• Located in Jamalapuram, 85 kilometers from Khammam town and from Vijayawada by road, is a historic Venkateswara Swamy temple. Referred to as Telangana Chinna Tirupati, this temple, also known as "Swayambhoo" and "Swayam Vyakta," boasts a legacy of over 1000 years. 
• It attracts a significant number of devotees, especially on Saturdays. The temple holds immense sanctity, with beliefs that rituals and visits here can fulfill desires and wishes.

Kallur

• Kallur is situated at a distance of 50 kilometers from Khammam. It is home to the renowned Lord Venu Gopala Swami Temple, established 400 years ago by queen Rudramma Devi.
• Adjacent to this temple is a Lord Siva temple commissioned by the Kakatiya ruler King Prathapa Rudra. This temple features five lingas and a large water tank.

Sri Bhakta Ramadasu Smaraka Mandiram

• The Sri Bhakta Ramadasu Smaraka Mandiram, located in Nelakondapalli mandal, is believed to be the birthplace of Sri Kancherla Gopanna (Sri Bhaktha Ramdas). He served as the thahasildar and oversaw the construction of the Sri Seeta Ramachandra vari devasthanam at Bhadrachalam.
• In honor of Sri Bhaktha Ramdas, the villagers of the area erected a temple dedicated to Lord Sri Rama and Seeta. The temple also houses idols of Sri Laxmana Swami, and daily rituals are performed there.

Lakaaram Lake

• Lakaram Lake is situated in Khammam town, approximately 4 km away from the Bus Stand. Over the past 15 years, this lake has undergone significant transformation. Initially, it was a simple water body surrounded by neglected trees. 
• Today, it has been developed into a popular tourist spot featuring the Lakaram Lake View and Boating area. This transformation has turned the once ordinary lake into a picturesque destination.

How to Reach

• The nearest airport is situated in Hyderabad, approximately 220 kilometers from Khammam.
• The closest railway station is in Khammam, just 3 kilometers away.
• Lakaram Lake is positioned nearby on the Hyderabad to Khammam road.

Palair Lake

• Palair Lake is an artificial lake situated in the Khammam district of Telangana, India. It serves as a crucial source of freshwater for the region and plays a significant role in water management.
• Located specifically in the Palair village within the Kusumanchi mandal, the lake is approximately 30 kilometers away from the district headquarters of Khammam.
• Functioning as a balancing reservoir for the Lal Bahadur Canal, which is a left bank canal associated with the Nagarjuna Sagar project, Palair Lake covers an expansive area of 1,748 hectares and has a substantial storage capacity of 2.5 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water.
• This picturesque lake has been developed into an important tourist destination within the district, offering various water-based adventure sports and recreational activities to visitors. Over the years, efforts have been made to enhance the lake's amenities and promote it as a popular tourist spot.
• Additionally, the reservoir water from Palair Lake is utilized for generating electrical power, contributing to the region's energy needs and infrastructure.

How to Reach

• The closest airport to Palair is in Hyderabad, which is 200 kilometers away.
• The nearest railway station is situated in Khammam, approximately 30 kilometers from Palair.
• Palair is positioned along the Hyderabad to Khammam road.

Wyra Lake

• Wyra Reservoir is a medium irrigation project built across the Wyra River, a tributary of the Krishna River. Situated near Wyra town in Khammam District, Telangana, it has been a prominent tourist spot in the region for many years.
• The construction of Wyra Reservoir dates back to 1930, with the inauguration ceremony being led by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the former President of India. The reservoir plays a vital role in providing drinking water to eight mandals surrounding Wyra and supports extensive agricultural activities, irrigating hundreds of hectares of land.
• Besides its irrigation purposes, Wyra Lake is renowned for its abundant fishing opportunities and the picturesque green hills enveloping it. The project facilitates irrigation on 17,391 acres of land and receives additional water supply from the Nagarjunasagar left canal.

How to Reach

• The nearest airport is located in Hyderabad, 220 kilometers away from Wyra.
• The closest railway station is in Khammam, approximately 25 kilometers away.
• Wyra is well connected to the district headquarters in Khammam.

Archaeological Sites

Khammam Fort

• Built around 950AD by the Kakatiyas, the Khammam Fort boasts a rich historical background. 
• Initially constructed by the Kakatiya dynasty, it later came under the control of the Qutub Shahi rulers in 1512 and eventually transitioned to the Asaf Jahi rulers in the 17th century. 
• Crafted from granite, this fort proudly sits atop a hill at the center of Khammam town.

Kusumanchi

• Merely 20 kilometers from Khammam lies Kusumanchi, home to a significant Sivalingam enshrined in a temple from the Kakatiya era. 
• The temple attracts a large influx of worshippers, especially during the festive celebrations of Sivarathri.

Nelakondapally

• Situated approximately 21 kilometers away from Khammam, Nelakondapally is a site of historical importance enclosed by a defensive mud wall spanning nearly 100 acres. 
• Recent excavations have revealed the remains of brick viharas, wells, cisterns, a grand stupa, terracotta figurines, a bronze Buddha idol, a small limestone stupa, and various other artifacts dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. 
• According to folklore, the Pandavas, after completing twelve years of exile, spent a year here in disguise at the palace of Virata Raju, the ruler of Virata Nagaram.