Saleshwaram is a remote cave shrine to Lord Shiva set deep inside the Nallamala forest of Lingala mandal, in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. The Shiva lingam, worshipped by the local Chenchu community as Lingamayya, sits beside a waterfall in a forest gorge that falls within the core zone of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. For almost the whole year the place is closed to the public; it opens only for a short pilgrimage window in April. This guide explains what Saleshwaram is, when it opens, and how a visit works.
Saleshwaram is a Shiva shrine in the Nallamala forest of Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, reached only during a three-day pilgrimage around the April full moon. The temple lies in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve and is approached on foot, so entry is regulated by the state forest department.
Key takeaways
- Saleshwaram opens to pilgrims for only about three days a year, around Chaitra Purnima (the April full moon); in 2022 the window ran 15–17 April and in 2025 the temple opened on 10 April (Telangana Today).
- The shrine sits inside the core zone of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, so the forest department controls entry, timings and vehicle access.
- Most pilgrims enter through the Farhabad gate on the Hyderabad–Srisailam route and trek roughly 4–5 km on foot from the Rampur Penta parking point (Telangana Today, 2022–2023).
- In April 2022 the forest department charged a toll of ₹1,000 per four-wheeler; reconfirm current fees before you travel.
- TSRTC/TGSRTC has run special buses to the jatara from Achampet, Wanaparthy and Nagarkurnool to cut private traffic inside the reserve (Telangana Today, 2022; Deccan Chronicle, 2024).
- The site is often called the “Amarnath of Telangana” because the lingam is reached only seasonally through difficult forest terrain.
About Saleshwaram
Saleshwaram is a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Nallamala forest of Lingala mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. On older records and some travel listings the site still appears under Mahbubnagar district and undivided Andhra Pradesh; Nagarkurnool was carved out of Mahbubnagar after the 2014 formation of Telangana, so the current administrative name is Nagarkurnool. The shrine is sometimes spelled Saileswaram or Saleswaram.
The lingam here is worshipped as Lingamayya (also written Lingamaiah). According to the Centre for Environment Education’s EcoHeritage project, the lingam sits inside a cave next to a wedge-shaped waterfall that appears cut across a large rock face. Sources describe the fall differently: one Deccan Chronicle report (2 April 2026) gives roughly 500 feet, while other accounts put it closer to 200 feet, so treat the height as approximate rather than settled.
Saleshwaram is first a Chenchu site. The Chenchu are an indigenous forest community of the Nallamala, and the jatara began as their traditional festival before it grew into a large regional pilgrimage. We write about Saleshwaram as a place of worship and forest ecology, not as a spectacle, and ask readers to treat resident communities with the same respect.
| Location | Nallamala forest, Lingala mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana |
|---|---|
| Deity | Shiva lingam, worshipped as Lingamayya |
| Protected area | Core zone, Amrabad Tiger Reserve (approx. 2,611 sq km; Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts) |
| Open to public | About 3 days a year, around Chaitra Purnima (April full moon) |
| Access | On foot; forest-department-regulated vehicle gates then a 4–15 km trek |
| Nickname | “Amarnath of Telangana” / “Dakshina Amarnath” |
Best time to visit Saleshwaram
The only time you can visit Saleshwaram is during the annual pilgrimage in April, because the temple opens for roughly three days around Chaitra Purnima and stays closed the rest of the year. Chaitra Purnima falls on 2 April in 2026, according to almanac sources such as Drik Panchang and India TV, so the jatara is expected in the first days of April. One travel blog lists 1–3 April 2026, but we found no forest-department or temple notice confirming those exact dates, so reconfirm locally before planning travel.
The jatara coincides with peak summer in the Nallamala, when daytime heat can be severe on an exposed forest trail. The forest department has repeatedly advised that only reasonably fit people attempt the descent in April temperatures. Outside the jatara, the wider Amrabad Tiger Reserve runs its own eco-tourism season, typically reopening in early October after a roughly three-month monsoon closure, but that season does not give access to the Saleshwaram shrine itself.
| Period | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April (jatara) | Hot and dry; forest trail exposed to sun | Only window the shrine opens; carry water, start at 6 am |
| May–September | Rising heat, then monsoon | Shrine closed; reserve core shut in monsoon |
| October–February | Cooler, pleasant for the reserve | Amrabad eco-tourism reopens; Saleshwaram shrine still closed |
| March | Warming up | Pre-jatara; confirm exact opening dates now |
How to reach Saleshwaram
Reaching Saleshwaram means driving to a forest entry gate on the Hyderabad–Srisailam route and then walking the rest of the way, because no vehicle is allowed up to the shrine. The main approach is from the Farhabad side: vehicles are checked at gates near Mannanur and Farhabad and parked at Rampur Penta (also written Raampur Penta or Rampur Chenchupenta), from where the footpath begins. A longer alternative runs from the Lingala side via Appaipally to Gundala.
By air, the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, from where you continue by road through Mahbubnagar and Achampet toward Mannanur. For rail, the practical railheads are on the Hyderabad–Kurnool line around Jadcherla and Mahbubnagar; treat these as planning options and reconfirm the nearest usable station and onward taxi, as we could not verify a single official “nearest station” this session. During the jatara, TSRTC/TGSRTC has run special buses so pilgrims need not drive into the reserve: in 2022 buses ran from Achampet, Wanaparthy and Nagarkurnool, and in 2024 from Achampet.
| Stage | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad to the reserve | Road via Mahbubnagar–Achampet–Mannanur | Nearest airport is Hyderabad; allow a half-day drive |
| Farhabad gate to Rampur Penta | Private vehicle or special bus | Vehicles parked here; trail starts |
| Rampur Penta to shrine | Trek, about 4–5 km | Entry from 6 am; forest entry closes 6 pm (2022) |
| Lingala side (alternative) | Vehicle to Gundala via Appaipally, then trek | Longer walk, reported around 15 km (2023) |
If you are building a wider Telangana itinerary around this trip, our Telangana travel guide covers how the Nallamala belt connects to Srisailam and Hyderabad.
The trek and what to see
The trek is the experience at Saleshwaram: a steep forest walk down to a gorge where the lingam and the waterfall sit together. From the Rampur Penta parking point the route runs roughly 4–5 km over hills, rocky stretches and streams, with a short, steep final descent of close to 2 km that pilgrims often manage with wooden sticks for support. The forest department opens entry from 6 am and stops letting people into the forest by 6 pm.
At the shrine, devotees take a dip near the falls and offer worship at the cave lingam. Because this is a live core forest, the walk also passes through genuine tiger-reserve habitat; sightings of large wildlife are unlikely in a crowded jatara, but you are a guest in protected terrain, so follow forest staff and stay on the marked path.
| Point | What it is | Time/effort |
|---|---|---|
| Rampur Penta | Vehicle parking and trail head | Start point; begin early |
| Forest trail | Hills, rock, stream crossings | About 4–5 km one way |
| Final descent | Steep drop into the gorge | Roughly 2 km, needs care |
| Saleshwaram shrine and falls | Cave lingam beside the waterfall | Darshan and a dip; allow time for the queue |
A suggested plan for the jatara
A realistic Saleshwaram visit is a long day-trek built around the April opening, ideally with a night near the reserve so you can start at dawn. Here is a simple two-day shape:
- Day 1: Drive from Hyderabad to the Mannanur/Achampet area, check in, confirm the next day’s gate timings and whether special buses are running. Rest early.
- Day 2: Reach the Farhabad gate before dawn, park at Rampur Penta, trek down from around 6 am, complete darshan and the dip, and climb back out with enough daylight to clear the forest before 6 pm. Drive back or continue toward Srisailam.
If you only want the forest and not the jatara crowd, plan a separate trip in the October–February reserve season for Amrabad’s regular eco-tourism, which does not include the shrine.
Where to stay near the reserve
There is no accommodation at the Saleshwaram shrine itself, so pilgrims stay in towns and forest lodges on the approach and trek in for the day. The nearest organised options are the forest department’s eco-tourism stays around Mannanur, run through the Telangana Forest Development Corporation, plus simple hotels and lodges in Achampet and larger towns like Mahbubnagar.
During the jatara, demand spikes and local arrangements are basic, so book ahead and keep expectations modest. The figures below are indicative planning bands, not quoted tariffs, and should be reconfirmed when you book.
| Type | Where | Indicative price/night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget lodge | Achampet, Mahbubnagar | ₹800–₹1,800 (indicative; reconfirm) |
| Forest eco-stay | Mannanur (TGFDC) | ₹2,000–₹4,500 (indicative; reconfirm) |
| Mid-range hotel | Mahbubnagar / highway town | ₹2,000–₹4,000 (indicative; reconfirm) |
Forest eco-stays in the reserve are booked through the Amrabad Tiger Reserve’s official channel (amrabadtigerreserve.com); availability is limited and seasonal.
Food and prasadam
Food at Saleshwaram is simple and mostly community-run during the jatara, so plan to eat light and carry your own water and snacks. Volunteer groups and the temple management have served meals on traditional leaf plates (vistaraaku) and distributed prasadam (consecrated food offering) in paper, as part of a plastic-free effort by the forest department.
In the surrounding towns you will find standard Telangana fare: dishes such as sarva pindi (a spiced rice-flour flatbread), pappu (lentils) with rice, and jonna roti (sorghum flatbread) in rural eateries. Treat the trek as a self-supported day: a filled water bottle, oral rehydration salts and a few energy snacks matter more than a meal plan on the trail.
Budget breakdown
A Saleshwaram jatara trip is inexpensive in principle but costs depend almost entirely on how you reach the reserve, since the trek and darshan are free. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a two-day trip from Hyderabad, dated November 2026, and assumes shared road transport, one budget night’s stay and basic meals. Verify every figure before you travel, as fees and fares change.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Return transport | ₹600–₹1,500 | Bus/shared vehicle; special jatara buses where available |
| Vehicle toll (if self-driving) | ₹1,000 per four-wheeler | Forest-department toll, April 2022 figure; reconfirm |
| One night’s stay | ₹800–₹2,000 | Budget lodge, split if sharing |
| Food and water | ₹300–₹600 | Local meals plus trek supplies |
| Darshan / trek entry | No ticket reported | Darshan is free; only vehicle toll applies |
| Rough total | ₹1,700–₹4,100 | Lower if using buses and sharing |
Permits, fees and rules
You do not need an Inner Line Permit for Saleshwaram, but access is controlled by the Telangana forest department because the shrine lies in the core zone of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. In practice this means the gates, timings and routes are set each year, entry is only on the permitted days, and the forest department can restrict numbers. In April 2022, Telangana Today reported a toll of ₹1,000 per four-wheeler collected at gate points including Durwasala, Mannanur and Farhabad; treat this as the most recent figure we could verify and reconfirm current charges.
Plastic is discouraged along the route, and the forest department has deployed large volunteer teams, many of them Chenchu residents, to clear waste after the jatara. Carry out everything you bring in, avoid single-use plastic, do not disturb wildlife or vegetation, and follow staff instructions. Photography norms and any drone restrictions inside a tiger reserve are set by the forest department, so assume drones are not permitted unless you have written permission.
Practical tips and safety
The single most important point at Saleshwaram is that this is a strenuous forest trek in summer heat, so go prepared and do not attempt it if you are unwell. The forest department itself has advised that only people fit enough should take on the steep descent in April temperatures.
- Start at dawn: entry opens around 6 am and the forest is cleared by 6 pm; an early start avoids both heat and the midday crush.
- Water and feet: carry more water than you think you need, plus ORS; wear grippy shoes for rock and stream crossings.
- Connectivity and cash: expect little to no mobile network and no ATMs inside the forest. Carry cash; do not rely on UPI at the shrine.
- Crowds: the jatara has drawn very large numbers — officials expected about 1.5 lakh pilgrims in 2024, and some reports cite far higher yearly footfall — so pace yourself and keep groups together.
- Medical help: there is no hospital in the forest; the nearest facilities are in Achampet and larger towns. Carry personal medication and a basic first-aid kit.
- Solo women: travel with a group where possible, keep to the main trail and daylight hours, and share your plan with someone before you enter the forest.
Nearby places
Saleshwaram sits within one of South India’s largest forest tracts, so it pairs naturally with the Amrabad Tiger Reserve and the Srisailam pilgrimage belt. The table lists options you can reasonably add on the same route; confirm access seasons, as the reserve and the shrine open at different times.
| Place | Direction | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Amrabad Tiger Reserve (Mannanur/Farhabad) | On the approach route | Jeep safaris and forest stays in the Oct–Feb season |
| Srisailam | Further along the Nallamala route | Major Shiva pilgrimage town and dam on the Krishna |
| Farhabad viewpoint area | Near the main gate | Forest plateau landscapes within the reserve |
| Hyderabad | Towards the city | Gateway airport and rail; base for the trip |
Frequently asked questions
When does Saleshwaram temple open in 2026?
Saleshwaram opens for only about three days around Chaitra Purnima, which falls on 2 April in 2026 per almanac sources, so the jatara is expected in early April. One travel blog lists 1–3 April 2026, but no forest-department or temple notice confirmed exact dates this session, so reconfirm locally before you plan travel.
Where is Saleshwaram located?
Saleshwaram is in the Nallamala forest of Lingala mandal, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, inside the core zone of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. Older records list it under Mahbubnagar district and undivided Andhra Pradesh, but after Telangana’s 2014 formation the correct administrative district is Nagarkurnool.
How hard is the Saleshwaram trek?
The Saleshwaram trek is strenuous: roughly 4–5 km from the Rampur Penta parking point, with a steep final descent of close to 2 km into a forest gorge, done in April heat. The forest department advises only reasonably fit people attempt it. Start at 6 am, carry water, and wear sturdy shoes.
Do I need a permit to visit Saleshwaram?
You do not need an Inner Line Permit, but the Telangana forest department controls access because the shrine is in a tiger-reserve core zone. Entry is only on the permitted jatara days, through set gates, and in April 2022 a vehicle toll of ₹1,000 per four-wheeler applied. Reconfirm current fees and rules.
How do I reach Saleshwaram by bus?
During the jatara, TSRTC/TGSRTC has run special buses to Saleshwaram to reduce private traffic in the reserve. In 2022 buses ran from Achampet, Wanaparthy and Nagarkurnool, and in 2024 from Achampet. Check with the state road transport corporation close to the dates, as services are arranged only for the pilgrimage.
Why is Saleshwaram called the Amarnath of Telangana?
Saleshwaram is called the “Amarnath of Telangana” because, like the Amarnath cave in Kashmir, its Shiva lingam can be reached only seasonally and through difficult terrain. The shrine opens for about three days a year and needs a forest trek, so the comparison reflects the short window and effort, not any official link.
Last updated and sources
Saleshwaram suits fit, prepared pilgrims and trekkers who want a genuine forest walk to a sacred site, and who can time a trip to the short April window. Go in April around Chaitra Purnima, travel light, and treat the Nallamala and its Chenchu community with care.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Telangana Today, “Three-day Saleshwaram jathara begins at Nallamalla forests” and “Saleshwaram yatra begins after two years” (telanganatoday.com); Deccan Chronicle, “Devotees flock to Saleswaram temple amid scenic trekking trails” (2 April 2026) and “Saleshwaram to be added to eco-tourism circuit in Amrabad Tiger Reserve” (24 April 2024) (deccanchronicle.com); EcoHeritage, Centre for Environment Education, “Saleshwaram Cave Temple” (ecoheritage.cpreec.org); IAS Gyan, “Amrabad Tiger Reserve” (iasgyan.in); Drik Panchang and India TV for Chaitra Purnima 2026 date. Accessed September 2026.
