Raghunadha Temple and Jail - Nizamabad

The Raghunadha temple is located in the heart of Nizamabad 170kms away from Secunderabad.

The Raghunadha temple is located in what was once a jail that is now abandoned and left in disrepair. The temple within the jail premises houses the idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Seeta and is made of white marble.  


The entrance to the Raghunadha temple is majestic and a board here mentions that the temple was by Samarta Ramdas and that Sivaji, the Marata ruler worshipped here. According to locals who we spoke to this temple connects to the Dichpally Ramalayam through a tunnel that is now not seen or closed.

A motor able road leads to the temple steps, where once can park and make a short climb to the temple. The temple has high domes in a diamond shape and is whitewashed. Huge Neem trees offer shade to the pilgrims who can soak in the peaceful atmosphere. All around the temple are huge walls that remind the visitor that this was once a jail. 



The jail is now closed to visitors but as one walks around the temple you can see the cells that were once occupied by the inmates. The jail warden’s house sits in the middle of a quadrangle making it easy for keeping a watch.

The jail faces a temple tank which is now dry but locals claim that it fills with water during the monsoon season.  The jail housed both men and women and the women’s barracks are separated through a wall. A short climb on rickety steps takes one to a watchtower which may have housed a huge bell which is now badly defaced. A climb to the top gives a bird’s eye view of the town.

A small sivalinga can be seen on the floor of the women’s quarters. A spiral staircase from the roof leads to the grounds of the jail and is now rickety and in bad disrepair.

The thought that comes to mind is that this jail along with the temple can be made tourist friendly where people can see first-hand the jail and its cells. Nizamabad could do with more tourism bringing in revenue which can be used for the upkeep of the jail.



Locals were happy to tell us that the temple was famous in the region and that Rama Navami was a big festival that drew crowds on the auspicious occasion. A visit to Nizamabad would be incomplete without a visit to the Ragunadha temple and the blessings of the Lord.