Telangana festival Bathukamma has entered into Guinness book of world records on 9,292 women participated in the festival

Telangana festival Bathukamma has entered into Guinness book of world records. On October 8th about 9,292 women participated in the festival at L. B. stadium.Bathukamma is a state festival celebrated by the people of Telangana. It is a floral festival which represents the Telangana culture, and it usually falls on the Dussehra time.

On these 9 days, they prepare a beautiful flower stack decorated with unique seasonal flowers. At evening all ladies attend to the ground and form a large circle by placing this bathukammas in the center.They start singing and dancing by circling it repeatedly. They build a beautiful human circle of unity, love, and sisterhood. This festival inherits the between earth, water, and human beings.

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After the formation of Telangana state, govt declared bathukamma as one of the state festivals. On 8th of October 2016, they made a large event with 9,292 women at Lal Bahadur Stadium. In past onam festival has created the record with 5,015 women, by beating it Maha bathukamma has entered into the Guinness world record.By viewing this event, Guinness book representative Jaisimha said “I am very happy to attend this event. Today at this place we have heavy rain but women have stayed back for giving excellent performance”. He congratulates all women for entering into the Guinness world record. Miss Planet India Rashmi Thakur is one of the chief guests at the event. She said “It is a proud moment for the state. Even it is also raining people didn’t stop their event”.

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Baba Faisuddin, deputy mayor, said “It is the happy occasion; we congratulate everyone who makes this event successful. Special thanks to Telangana police. All are cooperated well to achieve this success”.

Telangana tourism secretary Venkateshwarulu said “We achieved a great record under KCR government. This bathukamma festival is the biggest attraction for tourists”.

All the women participate in this event are jubilant for entering into Guinness record. Olympic Gold Medalist P.V.Sindhu and Telangana Brand Ambassador Sania Mirza has been the special attraction for the event. All women participants mesmerized the people for 12 minutes with their wonderful performance. All the guests joined them by humming the song along with the singing women. Everyone had a great time at this event.


http://techfactslive.com/bathukamma-event-enters-guinness-book-of-world-records/10895/

Warangal largest city in telangana tourism hotspot

HYDERABAD: After fervently spearheading the campaign to put Hyderabad on Unesco's heritage list, albeit without success, the Telangana government has now redirected its focus on the districts surrounding the twin cities, which they agree have been a neglected lot.

Warangal, the second largest city in Telangana, has been identified as a 'spiritual' and religious destination and several theme-based tourism circuits will soon be developed to promote the Kakatiya style of architecture and sculpture, distinguished by rock-cut elephants and structures made of black basalt, found in many parts of the district. Brochures recently released by the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (TSTDC) feature pictures and brief descriptions of the stunning temples and lakes of a city steeped in a wealth of architecture.

Sources in the state tourism department ascertain that the government, which has until now restricted its efforts to the Qutub Shahi monuments of Hyderabad, will now aggressively push for World Heritage Site tag for the 'keerthi thoranas' of Warangal fort, the Rudreswara temple (Thousand Pillar temple) at Hanamkonda and Rudreswara (Ramappa) temple at Palampet, all of which have already made it to the tentative list of the Unesco's World Heritage sites.

"In the race to make Hyderabad a tourist destination, the other districts have been overlooked. In fact, we have found that every district in Telangana has something unique to offer tourists. Medaram, a small village in Warangal, for instance, is the site of one of the largest tribal religious confluences in the country - the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara," said TSTDC managing director Christina Z Chongthu.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Not-Hyderabad-Warangal-now-tourism-hotspot/articleshow/49351037.cms

The papikondalu mainly depends on launch services on River Godavari

Bhadrachalam: It is not an exaggeration that the steady tourist flow to the picturesque Papikondalu mainly depends on launch services on River Godavari. Launch is a major revenue earner for several operators as it is the chief mode of transport to reach the popular tourist destination. Launch services generate considerable employment for locals.

A five-member crew is needed to operate a launch. The crew comprises a driver, an assistant driver, a sarang, an assistant to handle rudder and a cook. The driver and the sarang are the chief navigators. The driver in the cabin runs the launch as per the signals given by sarang who closely observes everything during the river journey. Calling bell has replaced the traditional bell as a mode of communication between the sarang and the driver during operation of a launch. The driver increases or decreases the speed of the launch based on the number of times the calling bell is pressed by the sarang.

About 90 per cent of launch drivers and sarangs hail from Dowleswaram. It is a hereditary occupation for many. The driver and the sarang must have five years experience to run the launch effectively. A lot of dedication is needed to attain perfection in the job. The maximum speed of a launch is 35 kmph. While moving upstream, it travels at a speed of 10 kmph only. The driver needs to be more careful while operating a launch as it cannot be brought to a sudden halt in the river in case of an emergency as it does not have a braking system.

The hereditary crew members spend most part of their life in the launch itself. The launch crew who are moderately paid, get five holidays a month. One needs to apply at the office of Chief Irrigation Engineer to get a launch driving licence. The PWD executive engineer at Dowleswaram issues sarang licences. The driver and the sarang need to renew their licences every three years. Earlier, there was no minimum educational qualification for issuance of a driving licence. Now, one needs to have a minimum educational qualification of 10th class to get it.

The price of a launch ranges from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore depending on its technical specifications and other facilities. The Irrigation Department issues a fitness certificate every year for operation of a launch on Godavari river. The peak tourist season is from September to February. With the increase in tourist flow to Papikondalu in recent years, launch operators of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are literally minting money during the season. The crew members are also much in demand with the increase in operation of launch services to Papikondalu.

Speaking to The Hans India, K Satyanarayana, a launch driver, said ``I have been continuing in the hereditary occupation for the past four decades. My father and grandfather were also drivers. All our onboard needs, including food, will be looked after by the launch owner.’’G Srinivas, a sarang, said “I am in the profession from my childhood. My father and forefathers were sarangs. Though I have been continuing in the hereditary profession due to lack of any other alternative, it gives me immense satisfaction”. 


http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Commoner/2016-09-20/Launch-services-lifeline-of-Papikondalu-tourism/254742

The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation plan to develop the picturesque Bogatha waterfalls

The inclusion of Wajedu mandal, well-known for the famous Bogatha waterfalls, in the proposed Kothagudem district is set to make it the most sought-after tourism destination in the State.

The proposed district is likely to encompass several major tourist attractions including the 635 sq.-km Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, and religious tourism centre Parnashala.

The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) has drawn up an ambitious plan to develop the picturesque Bogatha waterfalls into a full-fledged tourist destination at an estimated cost of Rs. 11.93 crore.

According to sources, the Central Government has sanctioned the requisite funds to develop infrastructure facilities at the waterfalls as part of integrated development of a tribal tourism circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The 2.5-km approach road between Cheekupalli and Bogatha waterfalls site will be developed at a cost of Rs. 2.12 crore.

The ambitious tourism infrastructure development plan envisages construction of a restaurant with all amenities spending Rs. 1.23 crore, 12 log huts at a cost of Rs. 5.09 crore and three watch towers at a cost of Rs. 48.12 lakh.

Adequate funds

Adequate funds have been allocated for beautification of the site, erection of safety mesh and chain linked fence near the waterfalls among other developmental works, sources added.

Meanwhile, the TSTDC has also finalised a proposal to introduce boat ride facility at the famous pilgrim centre of Parnashala situated on the banks of the Godavari in Dummugudem mandal.


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/tstdc-to-develop-bogatha-waterfalls/article9063593.ece

Telangana state tourist-style in spending a night in jail

A 200-year-old former jail in southern India offers tourists the chance to live a day in the life of a prisoner.

Visitors to the colonial-era Sangareddy District Jail in the state of Telangana receive a prison uniform, basic bedding, soap and eating utensils before being taken to their cell for an overnight stay that costs Rs.500 ($7.50).

Besides promoting tourism, spending a night in jail could educate people on how tough life is behind bars, said Vinoy Kumar Singh, the state's director-general of prisons.

"We wanted to get a message across to the people, that they should avoid crime at any cost," Singh said.

Intended as a cavalry barracks after being built in 1796, the buildings were later converted into a prison. That was closed in 2012, and is now a museum displaying paintings and other artifacts related to crime and prison life in India.


http://in.reuters.com/article/india-jail-tourism-telangana-idINKCN11F1IR

The explore new horizons in tourism development plans afoot to explore mine tourism in telangana

Kothagudem (Khammam): In a bid to explore new horizons in tourism development in the region, a plan is on the anvil to develop abandoned mines as a tourist destination on the lines of Eco Mine Tourism project between the Saoner and Gondegaon mines initiated by the Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) near Nagpur in Maharashtra.

Under this proposed project, a few coal mines of the state-owned Singareni Company Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will be developed into eco parks besides throwing them open for public. It’s like an industrial tour, the engineering students undertake to gain hands-on experience related to their academic field. In similar lines, the mine tourism will give an opportunity for a layman to learn how the mining operations are carried in an underground mine and as well as in an opencast mine.     

“The project is expected to take a shape in about a couple of months,” Kothagudem MLA Jalagam Venkat Rao, who is pursuing the matter with the Singareni management, told The Hans India.  This would give a huge fillip to tourism development in the region in addition to captivating beauty of the Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, dam and boating facility, Rao, who is instrumental behind many initiatives in the coal town Kothagudem, said.    

District Tourism Officer Suman Chakravarthy said: “Mine tourism has a lot of potential as it could provide a life time experience to tourists with the authorities providing them all the gear that a miner equips with before venturing inside an underground mine.”


http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2016-08-28/Plans-afoot-to-explore-mine-tourism-in-Telangana/250868

The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation Krishna Pushkarams chairman Pervaram Ramulu

The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) will be operating eight special package tours for the convenience of devotees attending Krishna Pushkarams, said its corporation chairman Pervaram Ramulu.

The tour packages, operated using Volvo, AC Hitech and non-AC Hitech coaches, will serve the pilgrims from Hyderabad, Warangal, Adilabad, Karimangar and Nizamabad to perform pushkar baths at Beechpalli, Alampur, Somasila, Nagarjunasagar and Vijayawada from August 12 to 23.

Mr. Ramulu, speaking to newsmen here on Sunday, said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will visit Alampur in Mahabubnagar district on August 11 and 12 perform prayers at Jogulamba Temple, which is the one among the 18 shakti peethams in the country to formally launch the pushkaram celebrations.

In connection with it, the Tourism Development Corporation will commission a twin deck cruise boat at Nagarjunasagar on August 3. The boat, costing Rs 1.7 crore, with a total seating capacity of 100 passengers consists of a lower deck with 40 seats and AC restaurant while the upper deck has 60 seats.

Three floating jetties were constructed for the purpose of operating the cruise boat. It will be operated from Pushkar Ghat to Nagarjunakonda Museum at Nagarjunasagar where food courts are also being set up.

The TSTDC district manager K. Nathan, deputy executive engineer L. Samuel, assistant executive engineer N. Ramakrishna and Hotel Haritha Kakatiya in-charge J. Suresh were present.


http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/tours-for-krishna-pushkarams/article8927118.ece

KCR visit to Krishna ghat near Alampur

Even as thousands of people are at work across the vast expanse of this district, a small but dedicated group of people drawn from different departments are silently making arrangements for Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his family to take a ‘Pushkar dip’ here, early on August 12.

The ghat that is being developed here is 9 k.m from the mandal headquarters of Alampur and the location is said to be close to the confluence of the River Tungabhadra with the River Krishna.

Alampur is significant because of the temple with Goddess Jogulamba as the presiding deity and is one of the five ‘Shaktipeeths’.

Stay at Alampur

According to the tentative schedule, it is understood that Mr. Rao, accompanied by at least two dozen of his family members will reach the Haritha guesthouse of the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation in Alampur before sunset of August 11 (Thursday).

After a darshan of Goddess Jogulamba at the temple, he will sit through a cultural programme by the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams.

He will halt for the night at ‘Haritha’ and come here at 4.30 a.m. take a ‘Pushkar dip’ at the ghat at 5 a.m. on Friday, that marks the beginning of the 12 day-long ‘Krishna Pushkarams’.

After his dip, he will then perform in pooja at this ghat at 5.15 a.m. and leave here for the Jogulamba Temple at 6 a.m.

He will spend over an hour at the Temple and offer special prayers to Goddess Jogulamba before flying back to the State Capital.

Considering the fact that such a large number of VIPs coming here including Mr. Rao’s relatives, almost the entire State Cabinet and others will be descending on this location and will be in and around Alampur, and the police is chalking out elaborate bandobust.

When contacted, Mahabubnagar District Collector T.K Sreedevi and Superintendent of Police Rema Rajeswari said that they were indeed making all the necessary arrangements.

Ms. Sreedevi told The Hindu that in the long-term, the objective behind developing this ghat was also to ease the load on other popular ghats like the one at Beechpally.

Unlike most of the Krishna Pushkaram Ghats now being developed, the one at Beechpally is preferred by many as a location where ashes of the departed are mixed in the water all the year round by people.


http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-telangana/work-apace-for-kcrs-visit-to-krishna-ghat-near-alampur/article8951084.ece

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation boat to tourists from Nagarjunasagar to Nagarjunakonda

In what was a first after the State’s formation, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation kicked off its own twin-deck boat to ferry tourists from Nagarjunasagar to Nagarjunakonda, the Buddist site on Wednesday afternoon.

The 100-seater, Rs. 1.78 crore boat, that has the capacity 40 people in the air-conditioned comfort of the restaurant down below and 60 more on the open, upper deck was flagged off by Ministers Ajmeera Chandulal (Tourism) and G. Jagadheeshwar Reddy (Energy) in the presence of a host of dignitaries including MP G. Sukhender Reddy and the corporation Chairman Pervaram Ramulu. As the boat chugged off the dock amidst cheer, Mr. Chandulal pointed out that with the gap left by the new State not having a boat of its own, tourists were dependent on the boats run by Andhra Pradesh since Telangana was formed on June 2, 2014. Very soon, he said smaller boats would be pressed into service to take tourists on shorter rides.


http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/tstdc-launches-boat-ride-to-nagarjunakonda/article8940560.ece

Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation in efforts to explore state's glorious falls

HYDERABAD: Waterfalls in the forest areas of north Telangana have regained their glory after heavy rains. But trekkers are unable to explore the serene beauty of cascading falls and the green glory of forests as most of the waterfalls are inaccessible.

Though Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) had plans to promote monsoon tourism, offering tour packages to waterfalls in Adilabad and Nizamabad districts, the plans fell flat as there were no proper roads to the destinations.

For example, Kuntala waterfalls near Nirmal in Adilabad district is the only waterfall in the list that TSTDC provides in its tour package to northern Telangana.

A senior official in the TSTDC told Express that despite ambitious plans to promote monsoon tourism by including unexplored waterfalls in northern Telangana such as Kanakai and Gayatri near Nirmal in tour packages, they were unable to launch the tour packages.  “Trekkers can go there but we cannot put the lives of tourists to risk and make them walk through dense forests to visit the waterfalls in northern Telangana,” the official said.

As the waterfalls are yet to be developed as tourist hotspots, only a few enthusiasts visit them during weekends.

“We went to Gayatri waterfall last week. Vehicles could go only upto Mokhram from where we had to walk for three hours to explore the beauty of the waterfall and its vicinity,” said N Sairam, an MNC employee in Gachibowli. “My family thought we could spend a night at Sirnapally, only to find that it was a small village without much facility to stay there. We were dismayed and after making way through the waterfall, we came back to Hyderabad. Staying in that beautiful village would have been exciting,”said T Mohan, a private sector employee from Miyapur.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Bad-roads-hamper-tourism-departments-efforts-to-explore-states-glorious-falls/2016/07/24/article3544644.ece

Sania Mirza, Brand Ambassador of Telangana State, inaugurates American Aluminum Catamaran Pontoon Boat at Hussain Sagar Lake Boating Unit, in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation has launched two new catamaran yachts for the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad in the presence of tennis star and brand ambassador for Telangana Sania Mirza.

The new catamaran boats have been procured from the US and will be available to ferry the public from today at the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake. The boats can accommodate 12-15 members per trip with a charge of ₹100 per person.

TSTDC has also launched party packages priced at ₹2,000 per hour at these luxury boats. The party packages will begin post 8:30 pm and can be availed up to 12:00 am. The boats will not only provide a luxurious ambience to tourists but also have a lower seating which is closer to the water during the ride.

The tourism arm of the State owns a water fleet of about 95, including small and big boats.

The corporation operates leisure based cruises and water sports at different lakes and rivers of the State, parasailing activity at Hussain Sagar.

Sania Mirza said, “I had a wonderful experience through the ride which brought back the memories of my childhood. The Telangana Tourism Corporation is very proactive in not only assessing the needs of the tourists but also introducing exciting opportunities for the local crowd.”

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/telangana-tourism-introduces-luxury-catamaran-yacht-rides-on-hussain-sagar/article8305134.ece

Telangana State Introduce helicopter joyrides over Hyderabad

Hyderabad: In a huge boost to the Telangana tourism, the government has given the permission to two aviations companies to offer helicopter rider over the city.

The two aviation companies – Atom Aviation Services and Indwell Aviation Services will start off the rides on March 12 and will continue till March 23. Officials from the cultural affairs department of Telangana, have confirmed the news on Wednesday.

The officials have also confirmed that the Indwell Aviation Services introduced helicopter service during the Medaram Jatara in Warangal district.

While a 15-minute joy ride on a Bell 407 six-seater will cost Rs. 3000 per head, hiring a Bell 407 four-seater for an hour will cost Rs. 73,000 and a six seater for an hour will cost around Rs. 95, 000.

The helicopters which will take off from Gachibowli Stadium and Peoples Plaza in Necklace road, will fly at a height of 1,500 feat over important locations in the city including Birla Mandir, Buddha statue, Necklace Road, Falaknuma Palace and Ramoji Film City among a few others.