Medak History

Medhak

Medak had a population of 1,41,916. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Medak has an average literacy rate of 66%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 57%. In Medak, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Medak, a historic town originally called Siddapuram, later it known as Gulshanabad also, reached its pinnacle during the Kakatiya dynasty reign. Medak has a citadel dating back to the Kakatiyas. It was built during the reign of Kakatiya emperor Pratapa Rudra. Strategically built on a hillock, it was called the Methukudurgam (and Methukuseema), from the Telugu word Methuku - meaning cooked rice grain. The main entrance proudly displays the double-headed bird "Gandabherundam" of the Kakatiyas. The Medak fort stands as an epitome of architectural excellence of the Kakatiya dynasty. The water to the fort was served through a pipeline from a well inside the fort. It has three main entrances, the "Prathama Dwaram", the "Simha Dwaram" or Lions Entrance that has two snarling lions at the top of the entrance and the "Gaja Dwaram" or Elephant's Entrance that has a sculpture of two elephants interlocked on both sides of the entrance. At the fort one can see a 17th century cannon that is 3.2 meters long. The cannon has a trident etched on it. This fortress uses the natural topography to the maximum advantage with the rocky face offering it natural defenses.

Geography

Medak is located at 18°02'N 78°16'E / 18.03°N 78.27°E / 18.03; 78.27 . It has an average elevation of 442 meters (1450 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Medak had a population of 1,41,916. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Medak has an average literacy rate of 66%; male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 57%. In Medak, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Culture

Medak Cathedral

The Anglican Medak Cathedral, which belongs to the single largest diocese in Asia , is a priceless heritage. It was built by the British Wesleyan Methodists and is now under the Church of South India - Diocese of Medak.

This church was built during a famine that struck Medak during World War I. Reverend Charles Walker Posnett was posted as Reverend in Medak during that time. Moved by the plight of the people due to the unprecedented famine that lasted for three years, he proposed to build a great church at Medak in the year 1914. It took ten continuous years to complete this monumental piece of architecture. With its massive dimensions, 100 ft width and 200 ft. length, the church can accommodate as many as 5000 people at a time.

When the Nizam of Hyderabad came to know that the height of this Cathedral was far exceeding that of the Charminar, he unsuccessfully ordered that its height be brought down. The Right Reverend B. P. Sugandhar is the present Bishop in Medak.

Historical

The excavations at Kondapur, located 15 km from Sangareddy and 60 km from Medak, have brought to light the remains of Satavahana dynasty and a few Buddhist structures. The Kondapur Museum is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. The Kondapur Museum contains about 8,100 antiquities at present. It houses the coins of the Satavahana kings which led some scholars to come to the conclusion that Kondapur was one of the thirty walled towns of the Satavahanas. There are the remains of Chaityas and Stupas indicating that Kondapur was once a great Buddhist center. Other things which were excavated and are on display include gold coin of the Roman Emperor Augustus (37 BC -14 AD), a few silver coins, bead pieces of terra cotta bangles, shell, ivory, copper and glass embossed with designs.

Originally called Siddapur Medak district has a hoary history and has been a strategically important region. It reached its pinnacle during the Kakatiya reign. Medak district has typical Telangana culture.

It is adorned by many temples depicting fine architectural splendours in the Zarasangam, Edupailu, Nachagiri temples to name a few. The Medak church, the single largest diocese in Asia and second largest in the world after the Vatican, is a priceless heritage.

Medak Church:

In the Medak town, is the famous Cathedral ouilt with love and crafted to perfection. As the legend goes this church was born out of a famine that struck Medak during world war Reverend Charles Walker Posnett was posted as Reverend at Medak during that time.

Moved by the plight of the people due to the unprecedented famine that lasted for three wears, he proposed to build a great church at Medak in the year 1914. It took ton continuous years to complete this beautiful piece of architecture. With its massive dimensions the church can accommodate as many as 5000 people at a time.

The Remarkable stained glass work on the huge windows of the church offers a spectacular view during the dav time, which cannot be replicated by artificial lighting. This is the most fascinating feature of the church. It serves as a picture book on the Bible to those who cannot read. Each window is made up of small bits of painted glass which has been 4'lued into a single piece and then delicately set into the stone windows.

The window to ,he north which offers a canopy to the altar is very fascinating. It depicts the scene of assertion of Jesus towering above the altar, dwarfing everything as Jesus ascends to leaven.

The other two windows decorating the East and West facades depict the scene of the birth of Jesus and his crucifixion. The bells cast especially for the church can be heard from far off. The pinnacle of the church stands at 173ft.

The tiles of the church were imported from Italy & the roof has been cast to ensure best acoustics. With its immensity and beauty, this century old church stands out as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India.

Medak Fort:

More of an outpost of Telangana, Medak, earlier called Siddapur, has a citadel dating back to the Kakatiyas. It was built during the reign of Kakatiya emperor Prataparudra. Strategically built on a hillock, it was called the Methukudurgam, from the telugu word Methuku - meaning cooked rich grain. The main entrance proudly displays the double-headed bird "Gandabherundam" of the Kakatiyas. The Medak fort stands as an epitome of architectural excellence of the Kakatiya Empire. The water to the fort was served through a ppeline from a well inside the fort. It has three main entrances, the "Prathama Dwaram", the "Simha Dwaram" or Lions Entrance that has two snarling lions at the top of the entrance and the "Gaja Dwaram", or Elephant's Entrance that has a sculpture of two elephants interlocked on both sides of the entrance.

At the fort one can see a 17th century cannon that is 3.2 meters long. The cannon has a trident etched on it. This fortress uses the natural topography to the maximum advantage with the rocky face offering it natural defenses.

Pocharam Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary:

Located 15 Kms from Medak and 115 Kms from Hyderabad, this sanctuary can be reached by private transport from Medak. Pocharam Forest was the favourite hunting ground of the Nizam and he declared it as a wild life sanctuary in the early part of 20th century.

Named after the Pocharam lake formed from bonding of the Allair in the year 1916 - 1922, it is spread over 9.12 Sq Kms. Surrounded by lush green forest, it is rich in flora and fauna and attracts a lot of winged visitors, like the Bar-Headed Goose, Brahminy Bucks and Open Billed Stork.

There is a center for Eco- Tourism where visitors can see five species of Antelopes and Deer. Summer temperature goes up to 46 C & in winter it drops to 6 C. The sanctuary is home to animals like Leopard, Forest Cat, Wild Dog, Wolf, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, and Four horned Antelope

Manjeera Forest:

For the nature lovers Medak has places of immense beauty and interest. Nestling between Manjeera and Singur barrages, the Manjira wild life sanctuary comprises of nine small islands which are home to a number of resident and migratory birds in addition to Marsh Crocodiles and Muggar.

Located 75 Kms from Medak & 5 Kms from Sangareddy, it is spread over 20sq km. The average width of the sanctuary is 500 to 800 meters.

Best season to visit : November to January

Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple:

Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple situated at Siddipet, is 45 Kms from Medak. There is a small check- dam near the temple, where people & pilgrims who visit this temple can enjoy scenic view and boat rides.

Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple:

Koti Lingeshwara Swamy Temple situated at Siddipet, is 45 Kms from Medak. There is a small check- dam near the temple, where people & pilgrims who visit this temple can enjoy scenic view and boat rides.

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple:

At Nacharam, or Nachagiri, earlier called Swetagiri is a centuries old temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swamy. Through ages, the temple has been a source of solace and pilgrimage. The temple of Sri Nachagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Gajwel Mandal is 12 Kms from Medak and 40 Kms from Hyderabad on the Hyderabad - Nagpur highway.

It is also called as Swetagiri or Gargeya Thapovanam. This temple is built on the banks of the sacred River Haridra. The temple got its name from a sincere devotee Nachar. A large number of devotees come from far to visit this temple. Other temples in this complex are of Lord Siva, Sita Rama, Lakshmana, Garuda, Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Bhairava and Navagrahas.

It is believed that devotees who visit the temple after a dip in the River Haridra not only get rid of their sins, but also of skin diseases. There is deep faith among the devotees that the temple has miraculous power to heal chronic diseases.

Edupailu Travel Information:

8 Kms from Medak at Edupailu is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kankadurga. According to the legend, Maharaja Parikshit (the grandson of Arjun) performed "Sarpa Yagya" to rid himself of a curse. When Garuda, the eagle, was transporting the snakes their blood is said to have fallen in seven places, which became streams.

All of them meet here to form river Manjeera. This picturesque spot marks the confluences of seven rivulets into Manjeera River and hence the name Edupailu. In Telugu Edu is seven and Pailu is stream.

Nandi Kandi: Nandi or Nandi Kandi is a small village located 15 Kms from Sangareddy and 60 Kms from Medak. The temple known locally as the Rameshwara or the Ramalingeshwara Temple is a unique star shaped temple of the Kalyana Chalukyan period.

The four exquisitely sculptured pillars in the centre of the hall (Navaranga) depict the figures of the Hindu deities Bramha, Vishnu, Shiva, Narasimha, Varaha, Nataraja, Devi Mahishasur Mardini, Devi Saraswati and Gaja Lakshmi in various forms.

There are also sculptures depicting Dikpalakas, Apsaras, Rakshasas, Matrumurti and Darpan Warriors etc.

Kondapur Travel Information: Located 15 Kms from Sangareddy and 60 Kms from Medak the excavations at Kondapur have brought to light the remains of Satavahana dynasty and a few Buddhist structures. The Kondapur Museum is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.

Kondapur is Mandal head quarters and is located 69 Kms from Hyderabad. The Kondapur Museum contains about 8,100 antiquities at present. It houses the coins of the Satavahana kings which led some scholars to come to the conclusion that Kondapur was one of the thirty walled towns of the Satavahanas.

Then there are the remains of Chaityas and Stupas indicating that Kondapur was once a great Buddhist center. Other things which were excavated and are on display include gold coin of the Roman Emperor Augustus (37 BC -14 AD), a few Silver coins, bead pieces of Terracota bangles, Shell, Ivory, Copper and Glass embossed with designs.