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Nizam of Hyderabad: World’s Richest Ruler, Golconda Diamonds & Crown Jewels

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu For centuries, the name Nizam of Hyderabad  has been synonymous with unimaginable wealth. Long before modern billionaires existed, the Nizams ruled one of the richest princely states in the world—so prosperous that their fortunes stunned British officials, European royalty, and global economists alike. From mountains of diamonds and rivers of gold to private treasuries overflowing with pearls, palaces, and priceless artifacts, the Nizam’s wealth was not just vast—it was legendary. But how did this extraordinary fortune come into existence? Was it purely royal inheritance, or the result of strategic governance, control over trade, and access to rare natural resources? And what ultimately happened to this wealth after the fall of princely rule in India? This article explores the astonishing rise, scale, and mysteries of the Nizam’s wealth—revealing why it continues to fascinate historians, treasure hunters, and curious readers even today. Golconda: Th...

Who Coined the Name Pakistan? A Forgotten Story Before 1947

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu   The name Pakistan  is widely associated with the country’s creation in 1947, yet its origin predates independence by more than a decade. Long before the Two-Nation Theory became a political reality, the idea—and the name—of Pakistan had already taken shape through intellectual debate, student activism, and ideological imagination in British India and England. At the center of this story was   Choudhary Rahmat Ali , a law student from Punjab in British India who was studying at the University of Cambridge in the early 1930s. Deeply concerned about the political future of Indian Muslims, Rahmat Ali began to envision separate homelands for Muslim-majority regions of the subcontinent. His vision was not merely political; it was ideological, religious, and civilizational in nature. On January 28, 1933 , Rahmat Ali published a short but radical pamphlet titled  Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever? , later known as the Paki...

Amarnath Yatra: Shiva’s Secret of Immortality | Cave History & Significance

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu   The Amarnath Yatra is a sacred Himalayan pilgrimage where Lord Shiva is believed to have revealed the secret of immortality, known as the Amar Katha. The ** Amarnath Yatra ** is not an ordinary pilgrimage. It is a sacred journey where faith, endurance, and inner transformation converge. Through this yatra, devotees seek to preserve in their hearts the ** Amar Katha **—the divine secret of immortality spoken by Lord Shiva himself. In Shaiva philosophy, immortality does not mean the body living forever. True immortality means: * Freedom from the fear of death * Purification of the mind * Liberation from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth It is not the body that conquers death, but the mind that conquers fear . This is why the Amarnath Yatra is considered a journey that transforms a devotee’s life. Location of the Amarnath Cave The sacred Amarnath Cave  is located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of approximately...

Alampur Jogulamba & Nava Brahma Temples | Shakti Peetha, Shaiva Architecture & Deccan History

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu Alampur is not merely a temple town; it is one of the most complex sacred landscapes in South India. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River  in present-day Telangana, Alampur represents a rare convergence of   Shakti worship, Shaiva theology, tantric symbolism, early Deccan temple architecture, and medieval frontier politics . Few places in India preserve such layered religious and historical continuity. Alampur: The Dakshina Kashi of the Deccan Ancient inscriptions and later traditions record Alampur under multiple names —  Halamapuram, Hemalapuram, Parashurama Kshetram, Brahmeswari Bhaskara Kshetram  — each reflecting a different phase of its religious importance. Over time, these evolved into Yogulapuram , Jogulapuram , and eventually Alampur . Puranic and regional traditions equate Alampur spiritually with   Kashi : * Balabrahmeswara darshan  is believed to yield the same merit as   Kashi Vishw...

Sri Kalahasti Temple – The Divine Breath of Shiva, Legends, Mysteries & Literary Heritage

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu   Introduction Sri Kalahasti is one of India’s most astonishing spiritual landmarks —a temple where air itself becomes the sacred form of Lord Shiva . Here, devotees believe they can sense the living breath of the divine through the mysterious movement of air inside the sanctum. Blending mythology, yogic symbolism, Upanishadic wisdom, ancient architecture and classical literature, Sri Kalahasti stands as a unique confluence of devotion and philosophy. A Natural Somaskanda Formation – The Three Sacred Hills Sri Kalahasti is built amidst a rare natural alignment  representing the divine family of Somaskanda — Shiva, Parvati and Kumara Swami. * Southern Hill  → Symbolizes Shiva’s spiritual energy * Northern Hill (Kanakachalam)  → Represents Goddess Durga’s power * Central Hill  → Dedicated to Lord Kartikeya Together, they form a divine geometric arrangement that has made this place a center for meditation and penance for centuries....

Nakashi Art of Telangana – Cheriyal Scroll Painting History

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu Introduction Among India’s oldest surviving folk traditions, the Nakashi art of Telangana  stands out for its vivid storytelling, brilliant colors, and deep historical roots. Practiced through both   Cheriyal scroll paintings   and hand-carved wooden figurines , this art form represents the cultural memory of villages, tribes, occupations, festivals, and mythology. Even today, this rare craft is preserved by just a few families — mainly in Cheriyal (Siddipet district), Jagtial, Korutla, Metpally, and Nirmal  — making it a priceless heritage that needs respect and preservation. The Roots of NakashÄ« – 800 Years Back in Time Historically, NakashÄ« artists trace their origins to the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. According to local legends, the craftsmen were brought to the Telangana region nearly 800 years ago  during  Kakatiya Reign of the southern india, who were known for supporting temple art, craft guilds, a...

Sammakka Saralamma Jatara 2026 Timings and Dates

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Published by Orugallu Andhalu The Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Vanadevatalu Maha Jatara, one of the world’s largest tribal gatherings and the biggest cultural festival of Telangana, will be celebrated from January 28 to January 31, 2026. The festival dates were finalized in the traditional manner by the Koya priests, who are the hereditary guardians of this sacred Vana Devata worship. The Medaram Jatara attracts crores of devotees every two years and is widely known as the “Telangana Kumbh Mela.” Medaram Jatara 2026 Dates & Daily Schedule  January 28, 2026 (Wednesday) The Maha Jatara begins with the arrival of: • Sarakka (Saralamma) • Govindaraju (her son-in-law) • Pagididda Raju (her husband) They reach the Gaddelu (sacred platforms) of Medaram around 6:00 PM, marking the official start of the festival.   January 29, 2026 (Thursday) This is the most auspicious day. Around 6:00 PM, Sammakka, the forest goddess of Chilakalagutta, arrives at the Gadde amidst: • Gu...