Telangana

Home to three ancient Shiva temples, Telangana defines the word “Trilinga Desa" with the presence of Draksharaman, Srisailam, and Kaleshwaram holy places. Though Telangana is the newest state of India, yet its breath-taking ancient architecture seems alluring to every traveller. It's best to visit Telangana from November to February anytime as these months are the most pleasant. During the cold winters, the vibrancy of art and architecture elevates even more making it an ideal time for a tour to Telangana. Even the windswept days can also offer visitors with a lot of cultural events to make their trips overwhelming.

History of Telangana

Famous as “South of North and North of South”, Telangana State in India has been ruled by a plethora of great rulers including Mughals, Chalukyas, Asafjahis, Satvahanas, Qutubshahis, and Kakathiyas. Since the 2nd Century BC, Satvahanas ruled the place for almost 400 years where Prataprudra has got recognition as a great ruler till A.D. 1323. Then the Qutubshahi Dynasty was established in 1518 with the efforts of Quli Qutub who governed the region for a long time. He contributed a lot towards the architecture of the region that includes the Jamia Mosque and many more. Eventually, Mir Qamruddin Chin Qilich Khan was the founder of Hyderabad who conferred the title of Asaf Jah to himself. In 1799, there was a war between the Nizami’s and Tipu Sultan where East India Company aided them and it led to a subsidiary alliance of Nizami's with Britishers. It was followed by Nizami losing power on external affairs and defense of state along with loss of Rayalaseema and Andhra regions as they were unable to pay the money back that the East India company used for aiding them in wars. 

With all this, Telangana became part of Hyderabad’s princely state and Nizam enjoyed charming life, being the world's richest man of that time. After the Independence announcement, the Nizam refused to send his representatives to the Constituent. Therefore, when India got independence, Operation Polo began to annex the state of Hyderabad. Kannada speaking regions were merged into Karnataka and Marathi speaking to Maharashtra. However, people from the Telugu community got merged into Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad as its capital in 1956. In 1969, Telangana agitation emerged and in 2001, the Telangana movement got final impulsion by Shri. K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Subsequently, the Government of India accepted the demand in July 2013 and it came into effect on 2nd June 2014 as the 29th state of India.

Culture of Telangana

India’s youngest state Telangana India holds a fusion of two cultures from the south and the north. Most of the people follow Hinduism and Islam religion here. When Nizams used to rule the region, the state was known as Telugu Angana as Telugu is a prevalent language there. However, the Telugu of Telangana is said to be quite different than that of Hyderabadi people. The culture of Telangana is an amalgamation of Persian, Nizam, Mogal, and Qutubshahi traditions. With a rich culture, the state pays homage to different classical music, folk dances, and a lot of paintings too. Here women usually wear Sari and unmarried girls prefer shalwar kameez, churidaar, and langa voni as representations of their history and culture. All in all, the richness of Telangana’s culture is commendable and adorable to a great extent. 

Food of Telangana

The home to two distinct cuisines, Telugu and Hyderabadi; Telangana State in India portrays its rich culture of gastronomy. Telugu food is full of spices in which millets, bajra, and jowar are the dominating categories. However, the Hyderabadi cuisines follow the style of the Qutb Shahi dynasty as well as that of Nizams of Hyderabad. The fusion of Turkish, Telugu, Mughlai, Persian, and Marathwada cuisines endows taste buds of guests with luscious flavors. When asking for its specialties, Telangana hosts signature dishes such as Gulbarga Tahari, Bidar Kalyani Biryani, Hyderabadi Biryani, and also dishes like Aurangabad Naan Qila. 

Among the spices, Telangana people prefer dry coconut, tamarind, and red chilies which make it stand different from the recipes of North Indians. There is a deep-fried dish with the name Sakinalu that is savoured during the Makar Sakranti festival. This scrumptious dish is a regional specialty that is prepared with rice flour, sesame seeds, and ajwain. To make the dishes lip-smacking, Telangana chefs pay a keen eye to keep the temperatures perfect and use slow cooking process to retain the incredible aroma of spices. 

Art and Craft of Telangana

All brimmed with creativity and talent, Telangana Tourism offers the best treats for the eyes of visitors with its incredible crafts collection. Since the 16th century, people rely too much on the traditional Golconda style that is a blend of foreign ideas. People out there do a special craft named dhokra or dokra that is also popular as Bell Metal Craft. The best thing one can find here is the amazing talent of artisans who make figurines, elephants, horses, tribal gods, peacocks and other birds and animals with creative use of brass metal. The whole style has its origin in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chattisgarh. 

Then, comes the famous Bidri craft in which people engrave silver on a metal piece. Typically, the name of the craft was coined from the town Bidar that is presently in Karnataka. Last but not least are the awe-striking hukkas, buttons, jewelry boxes, and other things crafted beautifully that make perfect souvenirs to partake in. With a plethora of options, one must buy exquisite pearls from Hyderabad that are famous for its beauty.

Things to do in Telangana

When you are planning exceptional Tours to India, Telangana state has a lot to bring on your table. Right from its highly amazing cities showing modernity to the buildings with world-class ancient architecture, there are following Tourist Attractions in Telangana that you can explore. 

• Delve into the beauty of Charminar.
• Enjoy the royalty and magnificence of Golconda Fort.
• Step into the world of Tollywood at Ramoji Film City.

• Gather some peace at Hussain Sagar Lake.
• Peek history from Salar Jang Museum.
• Explore the era of kings and queens in Warangal.
• Gorge on some delectable Nizami cuisines in the food gully of Hyderabad.

Also Read - Top 10 Places To Visit In Telangana

Extrapolating above, it is certainly not wrong to confess that Telangana might be a new state but still it offers a plethora of exciting places to explore the royalty and creativity of old times and modernity of today. A blend of myriad cultures, the state of Telangana is famous for its simplicity of lifestyle despite being urbanized.

Frequently Asked Questions About Telangana

Q. What are the cultural and traditional aspects of Telangana?
A. Telangana is rich in cultural heritage and traditions, shaped by its history, geography, and diverse communities. Some key cultural and traditional aspects of Telangana include:

• Festivals: Telangana celebrates a variety of festivals throughout the year, including Bathukamma, Bonalu, Sammakka Sarakka Jatara, and Ugadi. These festivals showcase vibrant colors, traditional rituals, music, dance, and fervent celebrations, reflecting the region's cultural diversity and religious harmony.
• Art and Crafts: Telangana is known for its rich tradition of arts and crafts, including intricate handloom weaving, especially Pochampally and Gadwal sarees. Other notable crafts include Nirmal paintings, Bidriware, Dhokra metal craft, and Telangana's iconic lacquer toys (Etikoppaka toys).
• Music and Dance: Telangana has a vibrant folk music and dance tradition, with various dance forms like Perini Shivatandavam, Gussadi, Lambadi, and Kuchipudi being popular among the locals. These traditional art forms are often performed during festivals, weddings, and other cultural events.
• Cuisine: Telangana cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, influenced by the region's geography and history. Staple foods include rice, millets, and lentils, with popular dishes like Hyderabadi Biryani, Telangana Ruchulu, Sarva Pindi, and Pachi Pulusu being widely enjoyed.
• Architecture: The architecture of Telangana reflects its rich history and cultural heritage, with notable examples like the Golconda Fort, Charminar, Qutb Shahi Tombs, and Warangal Fort showcasing the region's architectural prowess and historical significance.
• Language and Literature: Telangana's official language is Telugu, and the region has a rich literary tradition with celebrated poets, writers, and scholars contributing to Telugu literature. The works of poets like Pothana, Annamacharya, and Bammera Pothana are highly revered in Telangana.
• Rural Lifestyle: Telangana's rural lifestyle is deeply rooted in agriculture, with farming being a major occupation. The region's villages have a distinct charm, with traditional houses, community bonding, and agricultural festivals playing a significant role in rural life.

Q. What are the specialties of Telangana?
A. Some specialties of Telangana include:

• Bathukamma Festival: Bathukamma is a vibrant and colorful floral festival celebrated by women in Telangana during Navaratri. It involves the creation of beautiful flower stacks arranged in concentric layers, symbolizing the goddess Gauri. The festival celebrates the beauty of nature and women's collective spirit.
• Bonalu Festival: Bonalu is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated predominantly in Telangana, particularly in the city of Hyderabad. It involves worshiping the Mother Goddess in different forms, with devotees offering food and prayers to seek her blessings for protection and prosperity.
• Hyderabadi Biryani: Hyderabadi Biryani is a world-renowned dish that originated in the kitchens of the Nizams of Hyderabad. It is made with long-grain basmati rice, tender meat (usually chicken, mutton, or goat), and a blend of aromatic spices, saffron, and fried onions. The dish is known for its rich flavors and fragrant aroma.
• Telangana Handloom: Telangana is renowned for its handloom industry, producing exquisite handwoven sarees like Pochampally Ikat, Gadwal, and Narayanpet. These sarees are characterized by their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and superior craftsmanship, making them highly sought after by connoisseurs of handloom textiles.
• Tangedu Puvvu (Tanner's Cassia Flower): Tangedu Puvvu is the state flower of Telangana and holds cultural significance in the region. It is used in various rituals and festivals, symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and auspiciousness.
• Telangana Cuisine: Telangana cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorful dishes, influenced by its geography and history. Some popular dishes include Sarva Pindi, Jonna Rotte, Telangana Ruchulu, and Sakinalu. The cuisine reflects the region's rich culinary heritage and agricultural abundance.