Hyderabad: The Telangana Tourism Development Corporation is planning a separate “Ramayana circuit” that will include Bhadrachalam and Rekhapalli in Khammam, Jeedikal in Warangal, Jataprolu in Mahbubnagar and Ramagiri Hills in Karimnagar.
The logic behind the circuit is that since Lord Rama had spent 14 years in Chitrakut in Madhya Pradesh and had met “Guha” at a location 600 km from Adilabad, he would definitely have traversed the dense forests of Warangal and Karimnagar as some of the places are mentioned in the Ramayana.
There are a few like Pranasala and Jataprolu in Telangana that been prominently mentioned in Ramayana.
Jataprolu Fort (in Jatayukshetra) connected to the mythical bird Jatayu, dates back 1,000 years as per the inscriptions. Unfortunately, the site gets no visitors.
As per the legend, Sita was abducted from Parnasala in Khammam. Therefore, it is believed that Lord Rama, during his exile period, must have traversed the route.
Jammikunta temple, built at a place said to be visited by Lord Rama on his way back after killing Raavan, is also a significant place in Karimnagar.
As Ramayana holds a lot of religious significance, devotees can go on the Ramayana circuit, visiting all the important places linked with the epic.
“Lord Rama would have certainly traversed the forests of Adilabad, Warangal and Karimnagar as he had spent a good part of his aranyavas in Telangana and certain prominent places in the state have found mention in the Ramayana. A separate Ramayana circuit including Bhadrachalam, Jedikalu in Warangal, Jataprolu and Ramagiri hills is being planned. The circuit might also be linked with the Nagarjunasagar circuit, depending on the response,” said Telangana Tourism Development Corporation chairman P. Ramulu.
