Medak
History
Medak, a historic town originally called Siddapur, 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.
Medak Church
Medak is endowed with archaeological treasures. In ancient times it was a teeming metropolis of Buddhist culture as revealed by several archaeological excavations. The main landmark of Medak is the church. Standing firm and awe inspiringly tall amidst sylvan surroundings, the church dominates the skyline beckoning the faithful. Built on an immense scale in solid white granite, the gothic structure is one of the largest and one of the best in the country. It is chiefly known for its large pointed stained glass windows that tell the story of the Bible in blazing colored pictures.
Legend has it that this church was born out of a famine that struck Medak during World War I. Mr. Charles Walker Posnett, a dedicated English missionary from England, was posted as the Reverend of Medak which was reeling under an unprecedented famine that continued for as long as three years. Hundreds of families approached the Reverend for food and blessings. Their pathetic condition moved him and he provided them with enough food. AS an act of thanks giving to God who helped him provide sustenance for the starving people of Medak, he proposed building a church. The grateful inhabitants of Medak instantly accepted the proposal. Thus with the labour of love from those simple peasants, the church rose. Started in the year 1914 it was built continuously for ten years. It was consecrated in 1924 during Christmas.
With its massive dimensions the church can accommodate as many as 5000 people. It’s bell tower rises to a height of 175 feet. The church has an impressive style of vaulting and large painted stained glass windows, the most fascinating feature of the Church. They serve as a picture book of the Bible artist; Sir O. Salisbury took 40 years creating this work art at his studio in London. The pictures glow vibrant and lifelike. Each window is made up of several bits of painted glass, which has been glued into a single piece and then delicately set into the stone windows. The window to the north, which offers a canopy to the altar, is the most moving. It depicts the scene of ascension of Jesus-towering above the altar- dwarfing everything, Jesus ascends to heaven. The other two windows decorating the east and west façade depict the scenes of the birth of Jesus and his crucifixion. The colour spectrum produced by these windows inside by the early and late afternoon sun is beautiful and beyond all description. With its immensity and beauty, this century old church stands out as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India.
Edupayalu
Edupayalu is situated at a distance of 8 kms. from Medak and is connected by road and there are frequent buses from Medak. Private transport is also available from Medak.All of them meet here to form river Manjeera. This picturesque spot marks the confluences of seven rivulets in to Manjeera River and hence the name Edupailu. In Telugu edu is seven and pailu is stream. It is said that Parikshit Maharaja performed Sarpayagam at this place for which Garuda brought snakes the place, which were burnt in the yagam. Except one all the snakes were burnt. And the blood of the had fallen in 7 places, which became 7 rivers & met at this place forming River Manjira. In Telugu ‘Edu’ means ‘seven’ as 7 rivers meet at this place it has come to be known as ‘Edupayalu’. Temples in the complex: Lord Shiva & Kanaka Durga. Dasara, Diwali and Karthikapournami festivals celebrates at Edupayalu.
Kondapur
Kondapur was a very important Buddhist center in 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. It locates 63 kms. from Medak. Kondapur is well connected by road from Medak. Lead coins of the Satavahana kings were discovered here. All the antiquities are on display in the local museum managed by the ASI. The other findings at this place include a gold coin of the Roman Emperor Augustus (37BC – 14 AD) About a dozen silver coins, 50 lead coins, several beads, broken pieces of bangles of terracotta, shell, ivory, copper and glass embossed with designs. Iron implements and weapons such as sickles, forks, spear heads, chisel and nails. Hollow figurines of kaolin made in moulds also have been found in considerable quantities.
Medak Fort
Description about Medak Fort
The Medak fort, originally called Methuku durgam derives its name from the Telugu word "Methuku" meaning cooked rice. Originally it was built in typical Hindu style during the reign of the Kakatiyas. The later additions and modifications carried out by the Qutub Shahis exhibit Muslim architecture. It is essentially a dry masonry wall. The fort has wide ramparts with several natural bastions carved out of the boulders and rocks on the hillock. The fort has three significant entrances - the Prathama dwaram (first entrance), Simha dwaram (Lion's entrance) & the Gaja dwaram (elephant's entrance).
Nacharam Narasimha Temple
The important one is that when Narasimha swamy killed the asura no one was able to pacify Him. So Lakshmi Devi came to this place and on seeing her Narasimha regained His original form of Vishnu.
At Nacharam, or Nachagiri, earlier called Swetagiri is a centuries old temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha. 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 N achar. 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 N avagrahas. 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.
Pocharam Wild Life Sanctuary
Protecting the flora and fauna at Pocharam Wild Life sanctuary. It is very famous sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh for Bar Headed Goose, Brahminy Ducks, Painted Storks, Open Billed Storks, White Necked Storks, Spoon Bills, Black Ibis, White Ibis and a variety of Teals and Pochards.The lake abutting the sanctuary attracts large flocks of migratory birds. The flora of the sanctuary is of mixed dry deciduous forest with patches of scrubs and grassy lands. Preventing removal of forest produce from the sanctuary. Pocharam wildlife sanctuary covers an area of 130 sq. km. Medak and Nizamabad districts. It is an undulating terrain with low hills and small water pools. It is located a distance of 120 km. from Hyderabad.
Rameswara Temple
RAmeswra Temple located at Nandikandi.The temple known locally as the Rameswara 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 Bramha, Vishnu, Siva, Narasimha, Varaha, Nataraja, Devi Mahishasur Mardini, Devi Saraswati and Gaja Lakshmi in various forms. There are also sculptures of Dikpalakas, Apsaras. Here one can see a Shivalinga Made with sand. There are 5 more temples to see besides the Ramaligeswa Swamy temple.
Sangameswaram
Zarasangam is Known as Sangameswaram is situated at a distance of 26 kms. from Medak. As per the local belief Bramha, Vishnu, Maheswara got united at this place. It is known as Sangameswram. Once Lord Shiva gave ‘Shrapa’ to Kubera, Brahma and Ketaki the remedy was to pray to Shiva. After many years of penance Shiva appeared and Ketaki asked Shiva to make him an orchard. Even today it is visible and flowers from this are used for pooja purpose. Kubera became King Kupendra. King Kupendra constructed the temple. Temples in the Complex are Hanuman, Ganesh.
posted by suresh prasad @ 5:40 AM
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