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Khammam: The Fort City

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Khammam, a city located in the southern Indian state of Telengana is also known as the headquarters for the Khammam District. The city became a municipal corporation recently after the addition of 14 nearby villages within its area. The city is situated about 273 km on the east from the capital city of Hyderabad and is a favourite destination for travellers coming to Telengana.

According to a local legend, the place derives its name from the Narsimhadri temple which was initially known as Stamba Sikhari and Stambhadri later on. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swamy who is believed to be one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It has been proven that the temple has been in existence since the time of Treta Yuga, almost 1.6 million years ago.

The temple is located atop a hill and below the temple is a vertical rock that acts as a pillar. The city gets its name from this pillar or ‘kambha’. The region around Khammam came to be known as ‘Kambam Mettu’, a name that later became ‘Kammammet’ and much later turned into Khammam.

Khammam is a beautiful city situated on the banks of river Munneru, a tributary of river Krishna. The city of Khammam holds an important place in the history of Andhra Pradesh (which was later divided into Telengana and Seemandhra).

The famous Khammam Fort has historical significance not only for the city, but also for the state of Andhra Pradesh. The fort stands majestically atop a hill and is an example of both valour and a supreme amalgamation of different styles of architecture. This amalgamation stems from the fact that the fort was built by different rulers of different religions at different times.

Khammam was the hub of commercial and social activities in ancient times, especially during the reign of the Taluks. It has been ruled by many kings and was under the reign of many dynasties, and they have all left their indomitable mark on the history, art and architecture of the region.

The city of Khammam is also a fine example of communal harmony. People of different religions practice their different cultures, and this is what gives Khammam its unique identity. Among the tourist attractions in Khammam are temples as well as mosques, many of which coexist side by side.

Tourist Places In And Around Khammam

Khammam is an important tourist destination and attracts millions of travellers from across India. There are many places that one can enjoy in and around Khammam. Of these, the most famous tourist attractions are the Khammam fort, the Jamalapuram temple and Khammam Laxmi Narasimha Temple. The major sightseeing spots in the area include the Palair Lake, the Hills of Papi Kondalu and the Wyer Lake.

Best Time To Visit Khammam

The best time to visit Khammam would be during the month of winter when the climate is pleasant. Since the region has a tropical climate throughout the year, the winters in the region tend to be very mild compared to the winters of the north. However, summers are extremely hot and travelling to Khammam at this time is not recommended.

The area experiences rainfall during the months of monsoon, and the temperature does come down during the monsoons, but there is a stark increase in the humidity levels.

How To Reach Khammam

The city of Khammam is well connected to other parts of the state as well as the country by roads and trains. There is no airport at Khammam, and the closest international airport is in the capital city of Hyderabad. However, roads and trains make up for the absence of an airport at Khammam.

There are two national highways that pass through the city making road journey easy and comfortable. The state government runs many buses between Khammam and other cities. There are many trains from all over India that halt at Khammam railway station since it lies on the Hyderabad-Vishakhapatnam line.

Khammam is Famous for

Khammam Weather

Best Season / Best Time to Visit Khammam

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How to Reach Khammam

  • By Road
    Khammam city is easily accessible via road. The State Transport Corporation and many private buses run regular services to and fro from the city of Khammam. Many deluxe, as well as Volvo buses also depart from cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam for Khammam. The two National Highways that pass through the city of Khammam are NH5 and NH7.
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  • By Train
    The city of Khammam is well connected with other Indian cities and towns via a good network of Southern Railways. The town falls on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada line. Through this line, the city is connected to other cities such as Warangal, Vishakhapatnam, Tirupati, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. There are many super fast, passenger and express trains that halt at Khammam.
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  • By Air
    There is no airport at Khammam. The airport closest to Khammam is at Gannavarm, and it is a domestic airport. The nearest international airport is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad and is about 298 km from the city of Khammam. A proposal of building airport at Khammam is under consideration. Those who arrive at Hyderabad by flight can either hire a taxi or take buses to reach the city of Khammam.
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