The name Khammam comes from Stambham (pillar) also known as Stambhadri (a mountain where there is a very old Stambhadri temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha Swami). Later, Stambham became Khambadri, Khammam Mettu, and finally Khammam. The area is especially blessed with three rivers and beautiful views of Godavari, Kinnerasaani, and Munneru. Khammam is a popular tourist destination with a number of attractions for tourists.  From temples to dams, from forts to wildlife sanctuaries, you can find it all here. Khammam Fort here is of great historical importance along with Khammam Lakxmi Temple and Jamalapuram Temple. Other major tourist spots are Palair lake Wyer lake and the Hills of Papi Kondalu.

Due to its proximity to Andhra Pradesh, the food, language, culture, and traditions are deeply influenced by Andhra Pradesh. In other words, Khammam is a mix of the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh cultures. Khammam has the largest tribal population in the state. About 40% of the ancient Khammam area was tribal. The area has dense forests on one side and lush green fields on the other. Khammam has the largest tribal population in the state. The old district borders the three states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Orissa. Khammam is geographically the largest district in Telangana.