Historical Background The nomenclature of Khammam is said to have derived from a temple ‘Narasimhadri’ built on a hillock in the town. The temple was referred as ‘Stamba Sikhari’ and later ‘Stambadhri’. It is believed that lord Narasimha emerged from a stone pillar and killed the evil king Hiranya kasyapu to save his child devotee Prahlada. This incident is said to have occurred in the Krutayuga. The vertical rock under the temple is known as ‘Kamba’ and the town at the foot of the hill was called Kambamettu which gradually changed to Khammam matt and finally Khammam.

Geographical profile The Khammam district, which is a part of Telangana region, has between 16”45’ and 18”35’ of Northern Latitude and 79”47’ and 80”47’ of the Eastern Longitude. The district is bounded on the North by Chattishghar and Orissa states, on the East by East Godavari and West Godavari, on the South by Krishna and on the West by Nalgonda and Warangal The central and eastern parts of the district are mainly hilly.

Rivers The important rivers that flow through the district are the Godavari, Sabari, Kinnerasani, Munneru, Paleru, Akeru and Wyra. The river Munneru rising in the Warangal district flows South wards passing through Kothagudem and Khammam revenue divisions. The river Akeru, which also rises in Warangal district, flows in the South-Eastern direction and joins the Munneru at Thirdala village. The river Paleru flows almost parallel to Munneru and passes through Kakaravai village of Tirumalaipalem Wyra flows towards South direction and joins Munneru river in Krishna district.

Climate and Rainfall The climate is comparatively equitable and although it is very hot in May with mercury rising upto 40.7c. During the year 879.1 mm Rainfall is received as against a Normal of 1124.0 mm in Khammam while observing 21.78% of deficiency.

Soil The soil in the district is mostly sandy loams in the South of river Godavari, the black soil in Madhira mandal and the areas adjoining the river Godavari are fertile and rich like the delta lands of Godavari The predominant soil in the district is Chalaka (43%), Dubba (28%) and Black soil (29%). Flora & Fauna The forest wealth chiefly comprises teak, nallamaddi, chandra and bamboo. About 4% of the total Geographical area of the district is under forest cover. The total forest area in the district covers 7,59,438 hectares. The flora of the district can be broadly classified into timber, softwood, fuel, bamboo shrubs, climbers various kinds of grabber and several other minor forest produce yielding spices etc. The district is noted for fauna. The tracts tying on either side of the Godavari are the repositories of wildlife. The species of wildlife found in the district can be classified as quadrupeds, avers and reptiles and birds. A number of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes are found all over the district.

District Composition Khammam town was part of the larger Warangal district till October 1st, 1953. Five taluks of the Warangal district viz., Khammam, Madhira, Yellandu, Burgampadu and Palwancha (now Kothagudem) were carved out and a new district with Khammam as district head quarters was formed. In 1985, following the introduction of mandal system, the district was divided into 46 mandals in four revenue divisions viz., Khammam, Kothagudem, Palwancha & Bhadrachalam. There are 6 towns / Municipalities in the district. They are Khammam (Municipality), Kothagudem (Municipality), Yellandu (Municipality), Palwancha (Municipality), Sathupally (Municipality), Manuguru (Municipality). Out of 46 mandals, 29 mandals are fully in ST sub-plan area and 2 mandals are partially located in ST sub-plan area. The district comprises 1242 Revenue villages (including with 894 schedules villages and 348 non scheduled villages), 128 deserted villages and 771 Gram panchayats (18 major gram panchayats and 753 minor gram panchayats).

Area, Population and Other related characteristics The district comprises an area of 16,029 sq.kms with a density of population of 174 persons per sq.km. There are 1242 villages exist in Khammam distri