Calm-Sojourner: October 2013

We had a chance to visit Medak and some part of Nizambad districts in Andhra Pradesh (Future Telangana state!) on 12.10.2013. Medak is located at 100 km to the north of Hyderabad, it is famous places for Cathedral and fort. If you want to spend whole day at interesting places beyond Hyderabad city with friends and families i must suggest Medak and its nearby areas for future visitors. We left Hyderabad by cab at around 8 A.M, reached Medak town around 10 A.M, we first climbed up to Medak fort, spent around one hour on the fort then proceeded to Medak cathedral, there spent 1 hours. Lunch cafeteria available near the main gate of the cathedral. After filling our empty stomach on the restaurant we were moved to Pocharam dam, spent more than two hours with nature and had half bath with the outpouring water from the dam. Thanks to Dii, Mahmangaihi, James, Dennis, Mami, Te-i, Ruatkima, Ctei Hriati, for making our trip to be fondly remembered

Medak fort: The fort was built sometime around the 12th century and during the reign of the Kakatiyan ruler, Pratapa Rudra and was called Methuku durgam, meaning cooked rice in Telugu. It was a command post of the Kakatians and later for Qutub Shahis. The fort has great historical and architectural importance in Andhra Pradesh. Within the fort is a 17th-century Mosque built by the Qutub Shahis, granaries and remains of grand houses

Medak fort, Andhra Pradesh, India

James @ Medak fort, Andhra Pradesh, India

Cannon @Medak fort, Andhra Pradesh, India

Medak fort, Andhra Pradesh, India

Medak cathedral: It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Medak for the Church of South India (formerly Anglican) since 1947. Originally built by Methodist Christians, it was consecrated on 25 December 1924. It is the largest church in Andhra Pradesh. Built by the British Wesleyan Methodists, the Medak diocese, is the single largest diocese in Asia and the second in the world after Vatican. The cathedral is 100 ft (30 m) wide and 200 ft (61 m) long, and conforms to the Gothic Revival style. It can accommodate about 5,000 people at a time.

The cathedral is open to public visit in weekdays, but on Sunday and night time it is use for Church services. Inside the cathedral photography (Still & video) not allowed and mobile phone also has to be keep with silent mode. You have also to take off your footwears on the shoe racks outside the cathedral. If you have personal problems and spiritual help, Pastors/Priests are available to approach inside the cathedral. The pastor whom we met him on the cathedral was very friendly and nice, he explained the details and services of the cathedral to us, we owed much thanks to him for his warm reception.

Cathedral far view from Medak fort

Medak cathedral, Andhra Pradesh, India

Medak cathedral entrance, Andhra Pradesh, India

Side view of Medak cathedral, Andhra Pradesh, India

Back corner view of Medak cathedral, Andhra Pradesh, India

Front view of Medak cathedral, Andhra Pradesh, India

Medak cathedral, Medak district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Pocharam dam/lake: Pocharam reservoir is located on Hyderabad-Nizamsagar road. Pocharam lake is located in Nizamabad district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is adjacent to Pocharam Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary. We were told that Pocharam forest was the favourite hunting ground of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam bungalow buildings are still existed near the dam site but it is left with pathetic maintenance, in my opinion if it restore with properly it could be one of the best resort in the state. Though it is not well maintained by any of the state government or Nizam themselves there are many visitors - families and groups including us. Apart from the beautiful natural scenarios of the dam you may check out the pathetic condition of the remaining Nizam bungalow buildings on the below pictures.