History

Gandhari khilla

Gandhari Khilla is a historical place located near bokkalagutta,in mandamarri mandal in Adilabad district in the south Indian state of Telangana. It is located on the sand rock hills. It is situated 270 kilometres (157 mi) north east of the state capital Hyderabad.The fort was built within a thickly forested area which has a wealth of plant species which includes many medicinal herbs. Mahankali Jatara (quarry jatara) is conducted every year which attracts more than 10000 people. Gandhari maisamma jatra is done in the temple on the fort of gandhari for every 2 years and tribal people from vindhya region i.e maharastra, Chattisghad on the other bankside joins it.The Mancherial^[1] – Bellampalli^[2] highway passes close to the fort, which is 3 kilometres away from the Bokkalaguttta village.

History

The fort was built in the 12th century by the Gondu tribals with the help of Kakatiya^[3]s of Warangal^[4]. All the sculptures, Gate(Thoranam) and pillars were constructed in kakatuyas style. and by observing shanku and chakra beside every sculpture we can find that they are vyshnava while kakatiyas are belongs to shyva. The script of Shree Oddi raju anantha raju shasanam. Basically it was a kingdom of gondus but later on Oddi raju anantharaju occupied it. Later it was controlled by the Qutub Sahi Sultanate (1518–1687). In 1656, the ruler of Golconda.

Herbal plants

The forest in the area of the Gandhari fort is an important source for medicinal plants. Large numbers of local medicinal people collect the plants and offer them for sale in nearby towns. Students also visit the area to identify these plants and make herbarium specimens. In view of this importance for medicinal plants, it has been suggested that the forest of the fort area be declared a Medicinal Plants Conservation Center.