# Bhongir

Bhuvanagiri, officially known as Bhongir, is a city and a district headquarters of the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district and part of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region of the Indian state of Telangana.
Bhuvanagiri fort stands as evidence to the history of Telangana State which is the epitome of many conflicts. This magnificent fort, which is nearly 3000 years is a home to many astonishing structures.

## History

Bhuvanagiri Fort is in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri District it was built in the 10th century on an isolated monolithic rock by the Western Chalukya ruler Tribhuvanamalla Vikramaditya VI and was thus named after him as Tribhuvanagiri.This name gradually became Bhuvanagiri and subsequently Bhongir. At the foot of the fortified rocks 609.6 meters above the sea levels stands the town of Bhuvanagiri, the fort was considered practically impregnable by invading armies. The fort is associated with the rule of Queen Rudramadevi and her grandson Prataparudra II
Tourists visiting Telangana will be interested in visiting places like Hussain Sagar and Birla Mandir in Hyderabad as well as historical sites like Golconda Fort and Charminar in the city of Hyderabad. Bhuvanagiri Fort is one of the most prominent places in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District. In the 10th century the cities of Bhuvanagiri Durgam and Bhuvanagiri existed. As king of the Chalukya dynasty, Rajayagiri was looking for a fort on the Mallanna Gutta. Impressed by the beauty of the mountain, King Rajagiri built a khilla (Quila) at the fort. When King Inamuliku gave Bonaiyah, who had shown a wonderful place he gently rejected them and requested that his name and the name of his wife Giramma built together. Legend has it that the city the king built on their names is today cultured in Bhuvanagiri. Bhuvanagiri fort was long time ruled by Qutub Shahi. Later, when the Mughals invaded Golconda in 1687, they came to power. Sarvai Papanna who was born in Telangana to a common kalu Geetha family won the Orugallu in 1708 and later took over Bhuvanagiri. Bhuvanagiri fort is an ancient monument built on a monolithic rock fortress, about 47km from the city of Hyderabad. The hill is 184.5m high from road level it is one of the highest mountains in Deccan plateau. The mountain is an oval monolithic mountain and from the south it looks like a tortoise and a sleeping elephant from the western side travelling on the NH163. Bhuvanagiri fort is said to have been built during the reign of Mugla Vikramaditya, the 6th triangular dynasty of the western Chalukya dynasty. It is named after him as the Bhuvanagiri fort.
The hill has southbound and south-eastern passageways. The current route starts from the southwest. Bhuvanagiri Fort is the first steel gateway. It is said that the Nizam built it at his own expense. The entrance resembles that of Fateh Darwaza, the first gate of Balahisar in Golconda Fort. Tall walls and spacious rooms are visible in the architecture.
There is also a local perception of the Hillock in Bhuvanagiri that it resembles a sleeping elephant. The following image showcases that perception.
USP of Bhuvanagiri Fort
* Impressive Architecture: The fort showcases a mix of architectural styles reflecting the various periods of its construction. It is built using granite stones and exhibits elements of both Hindu and Islamic architecture.
* Fortifications: The fort's unique feature is its almost impregnable fortifications. The steep rock surfaces provide natural defenses, and the fort's walls, gateways, and bastions were constructed to further strengthen its defense.
* Entrances: There are two main entrances to the fort, known as the "Matta Banda" and the "Simha Banda," both guarded by large gateways and imposing structures.
* Rani Mahal: Inside the fort, there is a palace called Rani Mahal, which is believed to have been built for the queens and royal women during the Kakatiya period.
* Hanuman Temple: At the top of the hill, there is a Hanuman temple, which attracts devotees and visitors alike.
* Panoramic Views: From the top of the fort, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making it a popular tourist destination.
* Trekking: Bhuvanagiri Fort is also known for trekking enthusiasts who enjoy climbing the rock hill to reach the fort's summit
Adventure Tourism Bhuvanagiri fort presents a promising opportunity to be positioned as an adventure destination. The fort's strategic location atop a rocky hill offers an excellent opportunity for adventure activities like trekking and rock climbing. Adventure enthusiasts can embark on challenging treks, navigating the steep staircases and narrow pathways, while soaking in panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Rock climbing enthusiasts can explore the fort's rocky terrain and test their skills. Additionally, the fort can organize adventure tours that combine trekking, camping, and nature walks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surroundings. Safety measures, trained guides, and necessary equipment can be provided to ensure a safe and thrilling experience. Furthermore, Bhuvanagiri Fort can host adventure events and competitions like mountain biking, rappelling, and paragliding, attracting adventure seekers from across the region. Through effective marketing and collaboration with adventure tour operators, Bhuvanagiri Fort can position itself as a prominent adventure destination, catering to the growing demand for outdoor activities and adrenaline-pumping experiences.
Bhuvanagiri is an adventure tourism destination, the following experiences can be offered:
* Trekking Expeditions: Organize trekking expeditions to Bhuvanagiri Fort, allowing adventure enthusiasts to hike up the rocky hill and explore the fort's historical structures. Different trekking routes of varying difficulty levels can be offered to cater to beginners and experienced trekkers.
* Rock Climbing: Provide rock climbing experiences for adventure seekers, enabling them to scale the rocky terrain of Bhuvanagiri Fort under the guidance of professional instructors and with appropriate safety measures in place
* Night amping: Organize camping experiences near the fort premises, offering visitors the opportunity to spend a night under the stars, sharing stories around the campfire, and enjoying the tranquil ambiance of the ancient site.
* Rappelling: Offer rappelling activities from the fort's walls, providing participants with an exhilarating descent down the rocky surface, combining adventure with a unique historical setting.
* Adventure Races and Competitions: Host adventure races, obstacle courses, and adventure sports competitions at Bhuvanagiri Fort, attracting participants from various regions and boosting the fort's reputation as an adventure hub.
* Paragliding: Collaborate with certified paragliding operators to offer paragliding experiences from nearby hills, providing participants with breathtaking aerial views of the fort and its surroundings.
* Adventure Workshops and Training: Organize adventure workshops and training sessions, providing participants with insights into adventure sports, safety protocols, and techniques to foster responsible adventure tourism.
* Adventure Tourism Packages: Offer comprehensive adventure tourism packages that combine multiple activities and experiences, encouraging visitors to spend more time exploring Bhuvanagiri Fort and its surroundings.

## Administration

The town was constituted as a city Municipality in the year 1910 (fourth oldest in Telangana). Subsequently, it constituted a Municipality in the year 1952, and recently as per the Government orders 3 Gram panchayats namely Raigiri (North East), Pagidipalli (West) & Bommaipally (South) have been merged in Bhuvanagiri Municipality and town having spread over 76.537 km$^2$. The famous Lord Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is located at 13 km from Bhuvanagiri.
Bhuvanagiri Lok Sabha came into existence in 2008 as per the Delimitation Act of 2002.
* Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy is the present MP
* Kumbam Anil Kumar Reddy -Indian National Congress is the present MLA

## Geography

Bhuvanagiri is located at 17°30′39″N 78°53′20″E﻿ / ﻿17.5108°N 78.8889°E﻿ / 17.5108; 78.8889. It has an average elevation of 329 metres (1,079 ft).

## Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Bhuvanagiri had a population of 53,339. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Bhuvanagiri has an average literacy rate of 70%, less than the national average of 74.04%; with male literacy of 78% and female literacy of 61%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
As of 2012/2022 India. Bhuvanagiri Mandal population in 2022 is 132,529. According to the 2011 census of India, the Total Bhuvanagiri population is 103,538 people living in this Mandal, of which 52,720 are male and 50,818 are female. The population of Bhuvanagiri in 2021 is 128,387 Literate people are 66,957 out of 38,396 are male and 28,561 are female. Total workers are 44,778 depending on multi-skills out of which 28,234 are men and 16,544 are women. A total of 5,476 Cultivators are dependent on agriculture farming out of 3,577 are cultivated by men and 1,899 are women. 9,474 people work in agricultural land as labour in Bhuvanagiri, men are 3,775 and 5,699 are women.

## Transport
### Airports

* Nearest Airport: RGIA Hyderabad(Shamshabad)

### Rail Connectivity

The Railway Line comes under the South Central Railway & Secunderabad Division
* Nearest Railway Station: Bhuvanagiri railway station - 2.5KM -(Proposed MMTS Railway extension up to Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District)
* Nearest Railway Division(All Trains): Secunderabad railway division-47KM, Charlapalli railway station-34KM
* Nearest MMTS Railway Station: Ghatkesar railway station -23KM
* Nearest Metro Railway Station: Uppal metro station-38KM
Infrastructure development undertaken by MoR proposing a new railway line for construction of MMTS Phase II project up to Yadadri(Raigir) & Bhuvanagiri Railway Station for 33km with an estimated cost of 412 crores proposed for construction.

### Road Connectivity

* Nearest Bus station: Bhuvanagiri. It is owned by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC)
* Bhuvanagiri is well connected through NH163. Surrounded mandals and villages through state highways and primary roads.
* The major Urban centers are connecting via Bhuvanagiri is Nalgonda, Suryapet, Warangal, Siddipet are within the 100km. Bhuvanagiri is well connected to other parts of the Districts in Telangana and Neighbourhood States with extensive rail and road connectivity.
* There are regular buses from JBS Secunderabad located within the 47Km from Bhuvanagiri Destination and MGBS Hyderabad located 48 Km from Bhuvanagiri Destination, it is well connected from other major cities of the country to Bhuvanagiri District.
* Auto facilities are available from the Bhuvanagiri Bus Station to Bhuvanagiri Fort is connects from the Primary Roads from NH163. Along the Hyderabad to Warangal Highway (NH 163) from the Gudur Toll Plaza(Bhuvanagiri) there are several wayside amenities available. The wayside amenities will provide rest and refreshment for highway commuters during their journey. There would be restaurant, food court, dhaba, fuel station etc.

## Economy
### Theatres

There are five movie theatres in Bhuvanagiri, including the following: Currently, after Covid, Only two of them are running in Bhuvanagiri Town.
* Vasundhara Theatre
* Bhadradri Theatre
* Omkar h 70mm A/c(closed)
* KJR Theatre(Bharat Theatre-Closed)
* Neelagiri(Closed)
* Nearest Multiplex Theatre and Shopping mall are at MJR Asian Cine Square, Narapally, Hyderabad is around 25 km.

## Notable Persons

Notable persons from the town are Raavi Narayana Reddy, Alimineti Madhava Reddy, Belli Lalitha, and Pratyusha

## Education
### Rock Climbing School (RCSB)

Rock Climbing School at Bhuvanagiri Fort is the training centre for rock climbing.