Mahabubnagar - Hyderabad Named in honour of Nizam Mir Mahabub Ali Jah, Mahabubnagar is the largest district of the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Some claim that the famous 'Kohinoor' diamond was mined here. This district has a rich heritage dating back to 220 B.C with many ancient temples. Buddhism was widely prevalent in this land of the Chola Dynasty, but at present there are no Buddhist temples to be found here. Jetprole Located 9 km from Kollapur & 158 km from Mahabubnagar, this place is famous for the ancient Agasthyeswara Swamy temple built between the 10 th & 16th century A.D. Festivals like Sivarathri, Kartiha Pournami, Masa Sivarathri and Toli Ekadasi are celebrated with great fervour. This temple was shifted to Jetprole when the Krishna waters threatened to submerge the villages after the construction of the Srisailam dam. Another temple 15 km from Kollapur, is the Madana Gopala Swamy temple built by the Rajas of Jetprole during the 16th century A.D. The pillars, beams and the walls of the temple are richly adorned with beautiful sculptures. Kollapur The Madhava Swamy temple at Kollapur was originally built by the Rajas of Jetprol during the 16th century A.D., on the left bank of river Krishna at Manchalakatta. The architecture of the temple is beautiful. All around the temple walls, the carved sculptures depict the 24 aspects of Lord Vishnu and His dasa-avataras. Various pillars supporting the Mandapa, the Garudalaya, add beauty to the temple complex. Due to submergence under the Srisailam project reservoir, this temple was shifted and transplanted at Kollapur. This temple is located 180 km from Hyderabad and 110 km from Kurnool and Mahabubnagar. Gadwal Located 60 km from Kumool, Gadwal is famous for the Chenna Kesava Swamy temple built by the Rajas of Gadwal in the 17th century A.D. Another temple, Venkateswara Swamy temple situated at Kurumurthy, 20 km from Gadwal, is located on a hillock. This temple is very popular and is also know as the poor man's Tirupati. Weavers of Gadwal excel in weaving cotton and silk sarees in alluring designs. Rich traditional designs adorn the pallu and border. Most commonly used motif is the mango. Srirangapur Srirangapur is situated at a distance of 12 km from Wanaparthy, which is 100 km from Mahabubnagar. Here you find a Sri Ranganayakaswamy temple built during the 18th century A.D. According to a legend, king Krishnadeva Raya once visited Srirangam and desired to construct Sri Ranganayakaswamy temple in his kingdom. That night, he dreamt that Sri Ranganayakaswamy told him that He is at some place in his kingdom and an eagle would lead Krishnadeva Raya to that place. Next day, the king followed the eagle and the temple was built on the banks of Ratnapushpakarni lake, between the Kothakota & Karapakala hills. Alampur According to tradition, there are four doorways to Srisailam, that are places of pilgrimage. To the East is Tripurantakam, to the South is Siddhavattam, to the North is Umamaheshwar and to the West is Alampur. The most famous temples here are the Nava Brahma Temples of Alampur, a group of nine temples built by the Chalukyas situated within a miniature fortress on the west bank of River Tungabhadra. On either side of the main entrance are temples of Goddesses Kamakshi and Ekamreshwari. These temples are adorned with intricate carving portraying beautiful sculptures of Gods and Goddesses in various forms and postures. About 1.6 km south of Alampur is Papanasam, another pilgrim center where there is a cluster of over 20 temples. Alampur is located 130 km from Mahabubnagar & 217 km from Hyderabad. Pillalamarri The most interesting place to see in Mahabubnagar is the famous banyan tree called Pillalamrri, which is about 4 km from the town. There is a tomb of a Muslim saint under the tree. At least 1000 people can easily take shelter under this 700 year old banyan tree and its branches extend over an area of 3 acres. In Telugu, "Pillalu" means children & "marri" means a banyan tree. There is also an aquarium, a small zoo and an archaeological museum here. There is a boating facility in the premises of Pillalamarri available only during the rainy season. Somasila This town is situated 120 km from Mahabubnagar and 10 km from the Kollapuri Someswara Swamy temple. There are 15 temples, all housing Shivalingas where Shivarathri & Karthika Pournami are celebrated with much fervour. The Pushkar Snanam during the Krishna Pushkaram, which occurs once in 12 years, is auspicious. The temple was shifted from old Somasila village to higher land to protect it from being submerged in Krishna waters. With beautiful surroundings, it is also an ideal picnic spot.