Mahbubnagar travel guide

Pillalamarri from town

About 4 km

Known for

Pillalamarri banyan, Alampur temples, Gadwal sarees

Nearest airport

Hyderabad

Pillalamarri

About 4 km from town, Pillalamarri is a vast banyan tree whose aerial roots have grown into a small grove covering around three acres. It is said to be roughly 700 years old and shelters a Muslim saint's tomb. The name joins the Telugu words for children and banyan, a nod to its countless offshoots. A small zoo, aquarium and archaeological museum sit in the same grounds.

Temples of the district

• Alampur, with the Nava Brahma temples built by the Badami Chalukyas around the 7th century, regarded as the western gateway to Srisailam
• Umamaheshwaram, a hilltop shrine in the Nallamala forest, the northern gateway to Srisailam
• Manyamkonda Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara temple on a hill near Devarkadra
• Sri Ranganayaka Swamy temple at Srirangapur near Wanaparthy, beside a temple tank
• Beechupalli Anjaneya temple, where the Krishna and Tungabhadra meet
• Madana Gopala Swamy and Sangameswara temples, moved to Kollapur and Somasila when the Srisailam reservoir rose

Nature and crafts

Gadwal, between the Krishna and Tungabhadra, is known for its handloom silk sarees with rich zari borders. The Koilsagar dam across the Peddavagu, a small tributary of the Krishna, is framed by hills on its western side and makes a quiet picnic stop. Mallelatheertham, a waterfall in thick forest, suits nature lovers. The Mannanur area forms part of a large tiger reserve in the Nallamala hills, home to sloth bears, leopards, deer and many birds.

Planning your trip

Mahbubnagar lies on the road and rail route between Hyderabad and Kurnool, so it combines well with a Srisailam pilgrimage. Distances are long and several sites are in forest areas, so a hired car with a driver is the practical choice. We can build a two- or three-day circuit around Alampur, Kollapur and Srisailam.

Also nearby