Quick Facts

Quick Facts

General Overview

• Location: Khammam is a city in the Indian state of Telangana.
• Coordinates: 17.25° N latitude, 80.15° E longitude.
• District: It is the headquarters of Khammam District.
• Area: Around 46.5 square kilometers.
• Population: Approximately 313,504 (Urban, as per 2011 Census); the number has increased further by 2024 estimates.

 History

• Name Origin: "Khammam" is derived from "Kammamet" — referring to a local hill where an important temple of Lord Narasimha exists.
• Historical Rulers:
  • Mauryas, Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, followed by the Muslim rulers of the Deccan.
• Significance:
  • Historically part of the Warangal region under Kakatiya dynasty.
  • Later integrated into the Hyderabad State under the Nizams.
• Notable: Khammam played a major role during the Telangana Rebellion (1946-1951) against the feudal lords.

 City Features

• Cityscape: Combination of old heritage structures and modern development.
• River: The Munneru River (a tributary of Krishna River) flows through the city.
• Climate:
  • Hot summers (March–June, temperatures up to 45°C)
  • Monsoon season (June–September)
  • Mild winters (December–February, 15–28°C)

 Education

• Major Institutions:
  • Government Medical College, Khammam
  • S.R. & B.G.N.R Government Degree and PG College
  • Engineering Colleges affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad.
• Schools: Several CBSE and state board-affiliated schools, with growing English-medium education.

 Transport

• Railway:
  • Khammam Railway Station falls on the Howrah–Chennai main line.
  • Well-connected to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Visakhapatnam.
• Road:
  • Located on NH 365BB and close to NH 44.
  • Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) runs buses frequently.
• Air:
  • No direct airport.
  • Nearest Airport: Vijayawada International Airport (about 130 km away).
  • Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (around 190 km).

 Tourism and Landmarks

• Khammam Fort:
  • Majestic fort built by Kakatiya rulers around 950 AD.
  • Located atop a granite hill, offering a panoramic view of the city.
• Lakaram Lake:
  • Beautiful lake with boating facilities; a favorite evening spot.
• Sri Narasimha Swamy Temple:
  • Ancient temple located on the Khammam hill.
• Kusumanchi Temples:
  • About 25 km from Khammam; famous for massive Shiva temples built by Kakatiyas.
• Palair Reservoir:
  • A scenic lake, popular for tourism, picnics, and eco-tourism activities.

 Economy

• Agriculture:
  • Major crops: Paddy, cotton, chillies, tobacco, and maize.
• Industrial Growth:
  • Rice mills, cotton ginning units, chilli processing industries.
• Real Estate:
  • Rapidly growing due to proximity to Hyderabad and Vijayawada.
• IT Sector:
  • In 2022, Telangana government opened an IT Hub in Khammam to boost local employment.

 Local Cuisine

• Rich Telangana-style food.
• Famous dishes:
  • Sajja Roti (pearl millet roti)
  • Pachi Pulusu (tamarind soup)
  • Gongura Pickle (sour leafy green pickle)
  • Kodi Koora (spicy chicken curry)
• Street food culture with dosas, idlis, and vadas is popular.

 Culture and Festivals

• Languages: Telugu (official), Urdu, Hindi spoken.
• Major Festivals:
  • Bathukamma and Bonalu (very vibrantly celebrated)
  • Dussehra, Diwali, Sankranti, and Ramzan.
  • Khammam Cultural Festival promotes local art, dance, and crafts.

 Interesting Facts

• Khammam Fort is almost 1000 years old and has seen rulers from Kakatiyas to the Nizams.
• One of the strong centers during the Telangana armed struggle against feudal lords.
• Khammam IT Hub was inaugurated in 2022 — first phase spread across 42,000 sq ft.
• Khammam District was once the largest in Telangana, before bifurcation into new districts in 2016.
• Rich in forests — areas like Wyra and Sathupalli are known for biodiversity.