Vikarabad District (వికారాబాద్ జిల్లా) | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

History

• Vikarabad District came into existence on October 11, 2016. It spans across 3,386.00 square kilometers, sharing boundaries with Sangareddy, Rangareddy, Mahaboobnagar districts of Telangana and the state of Karnataka. According to the 2011 Census of India, the district's population was recorded at 927,140.
• The district was formed by incorporating 18 mandals from the former Rangareddy and Mahaboobnagar Districts, which were then divided into 2 Revenue Divisions. Vikarabad Revenue Division includes Marpalle, Mominpet, Nawabpet, Vikarabad, Pudur, Kulkacherla, Doma, Pargi, Dharur, Kotepally, and Bantwaram mandals from Rangareddy District. Tandur Revenue Division comprises Basheerabad, Doulthabad, Tandur, Peddemul, Yelal mandals from Rangareddy District, and Kodangal, Bommaraspet mandals from Mahaboobnagar District.
• Ananthagiri hills, a captivating tourist destination in Telangana, stand as a prominent attraction in Vikarabad district. These hills, known as the birthplace of the Musi River flowing through Hyderabad, draw in nature enthusiasts who are captivated by their enchanting beauty.
• The ancient Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Ananthagiri hills is a major attraction for visitors. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, after whom the area is named. Other significant temples in the district include Pambanda Ramlingeshwara Temple, Bhavigi Bhadreshwara Temple, Bugga Rameshawaram, Bhukailas, Ekambareshawar, Jhuntupally Rama, and Kodangal Venkateshwara Swamy temples.
• Various projects like Kotipally, Jhuntupally, Laknapur, and Sarpan Pally not only address the irrigation needs of the district but also serve as tourist attractions.
• Tandur, a key town in the district, serves as the industrial hub, particularly known for its blue and yellow limestone production and distribution. The town is renowned for its Redgram (Pigeon pea) cultivation and is home to numerous laterite and stone mines, cement factories, and toor dal mills that provide employment opportunities.

District at Glance

Economy

• Vikarabad District covers an area of 3,386.00 square kilometers and shares borders with Sangareddy, Rangareddy, Mahaboobnagar, and Karnataka. According to the 2011 Census of India, the district has a population of 927,140.
• Vikarabad District was established with 18 mandals from the former Rangareddy and Mahaboobnagar Districts, divided into 2 Revenue Divisions. Vikarabad Revenue Division comprises Marpalle, Mominpet, Nawabpet, Vikarabad, Pudur, Kulkacherla, Doma, Pargi, Dharur, Kotepally, Bantwaram mandals from Rangareddy District. Tandur Revenue Division includes Basheerabad, Doulthabad, Tandur, Peddemul, Yelal mandals from Rangareddy District, and Kodangal, Bommaraspet mandals from Mahaboobnagar District.
• Ananthagiri hills, a prominent tourist destination in Telangana, are a highlight of Vikarabad district. The hills, where the river Musi originates, are known for their captivating beauty, attracting nature enthusiasts. The ancient Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Ananthagiri hills is a popular attraction. Other notable temples in the district include Pambanda Ramlingeshwara Temple, Bhavigi Bhadreshwara Temple, Bugga Rameshawaram, Bhukailas, Ekambareshawar, Jhuntupally Rama, and Kodangal Venkateshwara Swamy temples.
• Projects like Kotipally, Jhuntupally, Laknapur, and Sarpan Pally serve the irrigation requirements of the district while also being popular tourist destinations. Tandur, a significant town in the district, serves as its industrial center, particularly renowned for its production and distribution of blue and yellow limestone. Additionally, Tandur is well-known for its cultivation of Redgram (Pigeon pea). The region surrounding Tandur also hosts mines for laterite and other stones, cement factories, and numerous toor dal mills, providing employment opportunities for many.

Places of Interest

• Vikarabad district was created from the former Rangareddy district and borders Sangareddy, Rangareddy, Mahabubnagar, and Karnataka. It consists of 18 mandals and 2 revenue divisions with the district headquarters in Vikarabad town. 
• Tandur, a vital town, serves as the district's industrial center. The district spans 3,386.00 square kilometers and had a population of 9,27,140 as per the 2011 Census of India.

Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

• Located in the picturesque hilly terrain of the Ananthagiri hills in Vikarabad district of Telangana, India, stands the Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Sri Nalapur Sitaram serves as the chief priest of this temple. As per Hindu Mythology, specifically the Skanda Purana, it is believed that the rishi Markandeya constructed this temple during the dwapara yuga on the Ananthagiri hills. The serene and pleasant atmosphere of Ananthagiri hills enticed Rishi Markandeya to perform his yoga sadhana there regularly. 
• Legend has it that Lord Vishnu, observing Markandeya's devotion, arranged for water from the river Ganges for his ritual bath when Markandeya couldn't make it to Kasi during the dwadasi season. Lord Krishna, in the guise of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, granted Markandeya a permanent place in the world as a river, known today as the river Moosi, flowing through Hyderabad. Initially, Markandeya encountered Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and transformed a charka into the deity. It is believed that for the past four centuries, the Nizam Nawabs visited Ananthagiri hills for its tranquil ambiance and would seek rest there. 
• The main temple of Lord Padmanabha Swamy was erected by the Hyderabad Nawab, following a divine instruction in his dreams from Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy. Situated in the village of Ananthagiri, approximately seventy-five kilometers from Hyderabad and five kilometers from Vikarabad, the temple enjoys regular private transport services and frequent bus connectivity between Vikarabad and Ananthagiri hills.

Ananthagiri Hills

• Ananthagiri hills, a captivating hill station in Telangana, is known as the pride of Vikarabad district. This hill range serves as the source of river Musi, which gracefully flows through Hyderabad. 
• The pleasant climate of this region allures numerous nature enthusiasts and tourists who are captivated by the enchanting beauty of the hills.

Vikarabad Adventure

• Vikarabad offers an exhilarating experience for trekking enthusiasts. It stands out as a favored trekking destination for those seeking adventure near Hyderabad. The terrain, characterized by red soil intermixed with rocks and loose soil, provides an exciting setting for activities like Rappelling and Rock Climbing.
• Visitors can choose from two distinct trails to satisfy their thirst for adventure. The surrounding landscape, dotted with small hills, makes it a convenient location for trekking. Additionally, the Vikarabad forest presents opportunities for various wild adventures. Travelers can explore the forest trails, capturing panoramic views, wildlife, freshwater streams, and lush greenery.

Tourist Places

Bugga Rameshwaram Temple - Anantagiri Hills

• The Bugga Rameshwaram Temple, also known as Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple, venerates Lord Shiva with a rich history spanning over 500 years. Notably, the temple houses an underground stream that emerges beneath the Shiva linga, perpetually flowing and forming a pond nearby. Remarkably, the River Musi, coursing through Hyderabad, originates from this sacred site.
• One of the prominent festivities observed at the temple is Maha Shivaratri, a grand celebration that attracts a significant influx of devotees. This auspicious occasion sees a large pilgrimage to the temple, enhancing its spiritual vibrancy.
• Situated 7 km from Anantagiri Hills, 6 km from Vikarabad, and 78 km from Hyderabad, the Bugga Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple stands in Bugga Rameshwaram Village, marking the source of River Musi.

How to Reach

• By Air: Rajiv Gandhi Airport, Shamshabad, Hyderabad serves as the nearest airport for reaching Ananthagiri Hills.
• By Train: Vikarabad Railway Station is situated in close proximity to Ananthagiri Hills, approximately 8 km away.
• By Road: Ananthagiri Hills can be conveniently accessed by road, located around 90 km from Hyderabad.

Culture & Heritage

• A reservoir of diverse cultures, Telangana stands out as one of India's most innovative states in terms of cultural and artistic expressions. One of the renowned art styles that originated as early as the 16th century is the Golconda style. This technique involves the use of vibrant gold hues with a touch of white, blending in foreign artistic influences. Another prominent art form is the Hyderabad style, which emerged under the Nizami patronage around the 17th century. 
• Dokra, an impressive art form, showcases skilled artisans utilizing brass to craft stunning figurines, idols of deities, as well as animals like horses and elephants. Originating from Bidar in Karnataka, the Bidri art form is also widely practiced in Telangana. This artistry is employed in creating jewelry boxes, buttons, hookahs, and various other decorative items. These artistic traditions constitute a significant aspect of Telangana's cultural heritage.

Music and Dance Forms of Telangana

• Music and dance play pivotal roles in preserving and propagating Telangana's rich cultural heritage. Prior to 1948, Urdu was the official language of Telangana, leading to a dominance of Urdu-speaking elites in the state. Presently, approximately 76% of the population in Telangana converses in Telugu, while around 12% speak Urdu, and the remaining 12% use other languages. 
• The emergence of Hyderabadi Hindi, a unique amalgamation of Hindi and Urdu, adds to the linguistic diversity of the region. Hyderabadi Hindi, characterized by its charming blend of languages, stands out as one of the most captivating linguistic phenomena worldwide.

Religion of Telangana State

• Telangana is globally renowned for its cotton production and distinctive tie-and-dye techniques, contributing to the uniqueness of its traditional attire for both couples and individuals. 
• Women typically adorn themselves in saris, churidars, and langa voni, with notable examples including the Gadwal Sari, Pochampally Silk Sari, and Ikat Sari. 
• While many women also opt for western attire, traditional men's clothing in Telangana consists of the Dhoti, locally referred to as pancha. 
• Historically, the Nizams and Hyderabad's nobility favored Hyderabadi sherwanis, now commonly worn by grooms during wedding ceremonies in the region.

Telangana Cuisine

• Telangana, with its diverse religious landscape, hosts a wide array of vibrant festivals. Among these is Bathukamma, a distinctive celebration during the Dussehra festivities, predominantly observed by Hindu women in September/October according to the lunar calendar. 
• Bonalu, another significant festival, is deeply ingrained in Telangana's culture and is celebrated on a grand scale, offering a captivating experience for participants. 
• Travelers are encouraged to secure affordable tickets to India from the USA or any other location worldwide to partake in the enchanting Bonalu festivities. Additionally, Telangana observes other major festivals including Ramzan, Muharram, Christmas, and Easter.