Medak: Fort, Cathedral and Nature at Pocharam Lake

Medak offers a range of attractions for a trip: historic buildings, religious sites and opportunities to observe nature. The fort and the Neo-Gothic cathedral represent different approaches to history and architecture; around Pocharam, the focus shifts to forest, wildlife and water. Visiting hours, religious events and transport connections are also relevant when planning your trip.

Fort and Cathedral: History and Architecture

Medak Fort is a historic structure and a popular tourist attraction in the city of Medak. It was built in the 12th century under the rule of the Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra. More than 500 steps lead to the top of the fort.

Medak Cathedral offers a different architectural accent: it is designed in the Neo-Gothic style. It was built by Charles Walker Fasnet, who belonged to the British Wesleyan Methodists, and was consecrated on December 25, 1924. The cathedral is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for public visits and quiet prayer. Check the visiting hours again before you travel.

Pocharam: Wildlife, Forest and Water

Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary covers 129.84 square kilometers and extends across the districts of Medak and Kamareddy. Visitors can observe five species of antelope and deer there. The sanctuary can be reached from Medak by private transport.

Pocharam Lake is surrounded by dense forest and diverse wildlife. Boats are available at the Pocharam Reservoir, allowing visitors to reach the island in the reservoir. The reservoir dam was built across the Allair, a tributary of the Manjeera, between 1916 and 1922.

The nature experiences have different focuses: the sanctuary offers opportunities to observe wildlife, while the reservoir offers a boat ride to the island. The Medak Hills also cross Medak district and provide another landscape feature at the district level.

Temples and Religious Events

Edupayalu Vana Durga Bhavani Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kanakadurga. Kuchadri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is an ancient Hindu temple in the village of Kuchanapalli in Medak district. These two sites have different named associations: one is dedicated to a goddess, while the other is associated with its location in a specific village.

At Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple, a service in honor of Sri Chamundeshwari, called Samaavesham, is held once a month according to the Telugu calendar. The Edupayala Temple Jatara lasts three days and is celebrated during Shivaratri in February. The timing differs for planning purposes: a monthly event according to the Telugu calendar versus three festival days during Shivaratri in February. Check the specific festival dates before your trip.

Getting to Medak

Medak has no railway station. Frequent buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) connect Medak with Hyderabad, Warangal, Siddipet, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Sangareddy. Check current timetables before traveling.

Discover more destinations: Bhanur, Siddipet, Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, Ranga Reddy.

For the broader travel overview: Telangana.