Mulugu is a district in the Indian state of Telangana. It was carved out of the erstwhile Jayashankar Bhupalpally district and came into existence on 17 February 2019, as part of the reorganisation of districts undertaken by the Government of Telangana to bring administration closer to the people. The district headquarters is located in the town of Mulugu.
| Name | Mulugu district |
|---|---|
| State | Telangana |
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Mulugu |
| Date of formation | 17 February 2019 |
| Parent district | Jayashankar Bhupalpally |
| Region | Telangana (north-eastern part) |
Mulugu district lies in the north-eastern part of Telangana. The terrain is largely characterised by forested tracts, hilly stretches and agricultural plains, with portions of the district falling within the Eastern Ghats ecological zone. The district has substantial forest cover and is drained by tributaries that ultimately feed the Godavari river system. Its landscape includes parts of the Dandakaranya forest belt, which historically supported tribal communities and biodiversity.
Like other districts of Telangana, Mulugu is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate appointed by the state government. For administrative convenience, the district is organised into revenue divisions and mandals, each headed by appropriate revenue officers. Police administration is led by a Superintendent of Police.
Mulugu has a significant tribal population, including communities such as the Koya and Lambada (Banjara), alongside other Scheduled Tribes and the general population. Telugu is the principal language, with tribal languages and dialects also spoken in interior areas. Agriculture, including paddy cultivation, and forest-based livelihoods are important to the rural economy.
The district is closely associated with the legacy of the Kakatiya dynasty, which ruled large parts of the Telugu region from Warangal between the 12th and 14th centuries. Among its most important heritage sites is the Ramappa Temple (Rudreshwara Temple) at Palampet, built in the 13th century during the reign of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. The temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021, becoming the first site in Telangana to receive that recognition.
The annual Sammakka Saralamma Jatara (also known as Medaram Jatara), held biennially at Medaram in the district, is one of the largest tribal fairs in India. It draws devotees from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra, and commemorates the Koya tribal goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma.
The district economy is predominantly agrarian, with paddy, cotton, maize and pulses among the major crops. Forest produce, including beedi leaf (tendu) and bamboo, contributes to rural incomes. Tourism, anchored by Ramappa Temple, Medaram Jatara, Laknavaram Lake and Bogatha Waterfall, is an emerging sector.
Mulugu district holds particular importance for its blend of tribal heritage, medieval temple architecture and natural landscapes. The presence of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India's largest tribal congregations gives the district cultural prominence well beyond its size, while its forests and protected areas make it ecologically significant within Telangana.