{{Use Indian English|date=April 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Bhoodan Pochampally | image_skyline = Bhoodan pochampally.jpg | other_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Census Town | image_alt = | image_caption = | pushpin_map = India Telangana#India | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Telangana, India | coordinates = {{coord|17.3461|78.8122|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Telangana | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Bhuvanagiri | established_title = <!-- Established --> | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref name=census>{{cite web|title=District Census Handbook - Nalgonda|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/27681/download/30850/DH_28_2001_NAL.pdf|website=Census of India|accessdate=11 February 2016|page=13,248}}</ref> | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = 28.42 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 1184 | population_total = 12972 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_rank = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_footnotes = <ref name="census" /> | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Telugu | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = Postal PIN Code | postal_code = 508284 | area_code = +91 8685 | registration_plate = TS 30 | website = {{URL|telangana.gov.in}} | footnotes = }} '''Bhoodan Pochampally''' is a census town in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. It is located in Pochampalle mandal of Bhongir division.<ref name="census" /> This village is Known for woven products, especially hand-woven Ikkat sarees. There are thousands of looms in the village that produce large quantities of sarees. In 2004, Pochampalli saree also received a geographical indication (GI) tag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Application Details |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/4 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=search.ipindia.gov.in}}</ref> This village was one of the three nominated under the category of best tourism villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1772314|title = Pochampally village in Telangana selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by United Nations World Tourism Organisation}}</ref>
== History == {{Main|Bhoodan movement}}{{Tone|date=November 2020}}thumb|Pochampally highlighted on Nalgonda Map.
On 18 April 1951, the historic day of the very genesis of the Bhoodan movement, Vinoba Bhave entered the Pochampally Mandal in Nalgonda district, the center of Communist activity. The organizers had arranged Vinoba's stay at Pochampally, a large village with about 700 families, of whom two-third were landless. It is widely recognised as the birthplace of the Bhoodan (land-gift) movement and as a major centre of ikat weaving, often referred to as the “silk city of India”.<ref name="TOISitharaman">{{Cite news |title=Nirmala Sitharaman opts for white and magenta saree for Budget 2024 presentation |date=23 July 2024 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nirmala-sitharaman-opts-for-white-and-magenta-saree-for-budget-2024-presentation/articleshow/111945427.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
In 1999, the weaving industry of Bhoodan Pochampally came to limelight when a young weaver Chithakindhi Mallesham developed a machine for automating the time-consuming, laborious and painful ''Asu'' process of winding of yarn before the dyeing and weaving is done. The innovation was recognized by National Innovation Foundation – India.<ref>[http://5award.nif.org.in/doc_file/Mallesham%20nov%2012.doc Recognition of Asu Machine by National Innovation Foundation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603151626/http://5award.nif.org.in/doc_file/Mallesham%20nov%2012.doc |date=3 June 2012 }}</ref>
== Location and overview == Bhoodan Pochampally lies roughly 40–50 km from Hyderabad, in the eastern part of Telangana. It functions as a weaving and tourism hub for a wider cluster of surrounding villages that specialise in hand-woven ikat textiles.<ref name="HansAfrican">{{Cite news |title=African beauties take a peek into Pochampally handloom artistry |date=16 May 2025 |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/african-beauties-take-a-peek-into-pochampally-handloom-artistry-971561 |work=The Hans India |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
The name “Bhoodan Pochampally” refers to its association with the 1951 land-gift initiative led by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, while “Pochampally Ikat” refers to the local resist-dyed weaving tradition. <ref name="IASNote">{{Cite news |title=Pochampally is One of the Best Tourism Villages: UNWTO |date=17 November 2021 |url=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pochampally-best-tourism-village|work=Drishti IAS |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
== Bhoodan movement ==
On 18 April 1951, local landlord V. Ramachandra Reddy donated 100 acres of land following Vinoba Bhave appeal to support landless families, marking the beginning of the Bhoodan movement.<ref name="Hans75">{{Cite news |title=Pochampally to celebrate 75 years of Bhoodan movement |date=2025 |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/pochampally-to-celebrate-75-years-of-bhoodan-movement-963742 |work=The Hans India |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="TOIPostal">{{Cite news |title=Special postal cover on first donor of Bhoodan Movement at Pochampalli in Telangana |date=17 July 2022 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/special-postal-cover-on-first-donor-of-bhoodan-movement-at-pochampalli-in-telangana/articleshow/92939322.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
Accounts identify the Pochampally donation as the spark that led to millions of acres being pledged voluntarily across India.<ref name="DeccanReddy">{{Cite news |title=Remembering the man behind Bhoodan Movement: Vedire Ramachandra Reddy |date=14 August 2021 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/featured/140821/remembering-the-man-behind-bhoodan-movement-vedire-ramachandra-reddy.html |work=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Handloom and Pochampally Ikat== Pochampally and surrounding villages are known for ikat textiles created using resist-dyed yarns woven into geometric and curvilinear patterns.<ref name="HansAfrican" />The textile is legally protected under the Geographical Indications Registry, Application No. 4 (registered 31 December 2004). <ref name="GIRegistry">{{Cite news |title=Pochampally Ikat – GI Application Details (No. 4) |date=31 December 2004 |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/4|work=Intellectual Property India |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
Media and government reports note that the weaving cluster spans dozens of villages and remains a major handloom centre. <ref name="HinduUNWTO">{{Cite news |title=Pochampally village awarded ‘Best World Tourism Village’ tag by UNWTO |date=21 November 2021|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/pochampally-village-awarded-best-world-tourism-village-tag-by-unwto/article37603914.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==UNWTO ‘Best Tourism Village’ recognition== In 2021, Pochampally was shortlisted by India’s Ministry of Tourism for the UNWTO “Best Tourism Village” initiative.<ref name="NIEShortlist">{{Cite news |title=Pochampally makes it to UN’s ‘best tourism village’ shortlist |date=13 September 2021 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2021/Sep/13/pochampally-makes-it-to-uns-best-tourism-village-shortlist-2357888.html |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Later that year, Pochampally was officially recognised as one of the Best Tourism Villages at the UNWTO General Assembly in Madrid.<ref name="PIBUNWTO">{{Cite news |title=Pochampally selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by UNWTO |date=16 November 2021 |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1772314|work=Press Information Bureau |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="TOIUNWTO">{{Cite news |title=Telangana's Pochampally, India’s silk city, is world’s best tourism village |date=2021 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/pochampally-indias-silk-city-is-worlds-best-tourism-village/articleshow/87746860.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Tourism and “Tourism 2.0” initiatives== A 2025 tourism policy identifies Pochampally as one of nine priority destinations, with planned experiences such as weaving-street tours, interactive weaving rooms, and a Bhoodan Museum.<ref name="TNIEPolicy">{{Cite news |title=Telangana to unveil new tourism policy |date=26 September 2025 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2025/Sep/26/telangana-to-unveil-new-tourism-policy |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Miss World 2025 visits== In 2025, 22 contestants from African countries visited Bhoodan Pochampally as part of the Miss World programme, observing ikat weaving and cultural events.<ref name="AIRMissWorld">{{Cite news |title=22 African Miss World contestants visit Telangana Tourism Park |date=16 May 2025 |url=https://www.newsonair.gov.in/22-african-miss-world-contestants-visit-telangana-tourism-park/ |work=News On AIR |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HinduMissWorld">{{Cite news |title=Miss World 2025 contestants soak in Telangana’s cultural tapestry at Bhoodan Pochampally |date=2025 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/miss-world-2025-contestants-soak-in-telanganas-cultural-tapestry-at-bhoodan-pochampally/article69580348.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="TNIEWeavesWarmth">{{Cite news |title=Weaves and warmth: Telangana rolls out vibrant welcome for Miss World contestants |date=16 May 2025 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2025/May/16/weaves-and-warmth-telangana-rolls-out-vibrant-welcome-for-miss-world-contestants |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=7 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Legacy== Bhoodan Pochampally remains significant for its dual heritage of Gandhian land-reform history and handloom excellence. Its recognition by the UNWTO, major tourism initiatives, and frequent presence in national and international cultural events continue to reinforce its importance. <ref name="PIBUNWTO" /><ref name="TNIEPolicy" /><ref name="AIRMissWorld" />
==See also== * Pochampally Saree * Bhoodan Movement
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUGDFPxNVq0 Special Story On Bhoodan Pochampally Village | UNWTO Best Tourism Village], V6 News (via youtube), November 2021.
{{Yadadri district}}
Category:Mandal headquarters in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district