Warangal

FortWarangal :

The existence of Warangal Fort in the present-day Indian state of Andhra Pradesh traced back to at least the 13th century CE. Although precise dating of its construction and subsequent enhancements are uncertain, historians and archaeologists generally accept that an earlier brick-walled structure was replaced with stone by Ganapatideva, who died in 1262, and that his successors – Rudramadevi and Prataparudra – added to its height and added gateways, square bastions and additional circular earthern walls prior to the latter's death in 1323. This places the construction towards the end of the Kakatiya period. There were later modifications between the 15th and 17th centuries, comprising principally the addition of barbicans to the four gates in the stone wall and the creation of gates in the outer earthern wall.

Bhadrakali Temple:

  Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh is known to be one of the oldest temples for Goddess Bhadrakali in India. This temple is located on the banks of the Bhadrakali lake, a picturesque location between Hanamkonda andWarangal about 1.5 km from Government Polytechnic.The Kakatiya kings of "Orugallu empire" which is the present Warangal town have adopted Goddess Bhadrakali as their "Kula Devatha" giving her preference over other gods. The lake was built later by Ganapathi Deva, a minister in Kakatiya Dynasty. A road leading to the temple was also added during that period

The temple's main deity Goddess Bhadrakali's image is made in a 2.7x2.7 meters square stone facing west with pleasant looking eyes holding weapons in her eight hands with Shiva under her feet. 'Sree Chakram' and 'Utsava Vigrahas' of Bhadrakali are placed in front of the main deity.

A statue of Lion, Bhadrakali's vahana on which she rides, is placed opposite the sanctum sanctorum. The temple also has a Dhwaja Sthambam and Balipeetham.There are 8 major and 12 minor temples in the mountains surrounding the Bhadrakali Temple including Padmakshi temple, Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Narasimha swamy temple and Sri Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy temple.

Bhadrakali Temple has become a major tourist place and people from many parts of India visit this temple.

     

Eturnagaram Wild Life:

Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Eturnagaramvillage in Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located 250 km (160 mi) away from Hyderabad.Andhra Pradesh has splendid wildlife reserves, one of such is the Eturnagara wildlife sanctuary, which is 55 km (34 mi) from Warangal. The sanctuary is located near the Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh border. It is one of the oldest sanctuaries of Andhra Pradesh. In the year 1952 on 30 January the erstwhile Hyderabad Government because of its rich bio-diversity declared it as a sanctuary.

Location : 55 km (34 mi) From Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.

Coverage area : 812 km² (314 sq mi).

Main attractions : Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Sambar, Cheetal, Nilgiri, Black Buck.

Best time to visit : October to May

Accommodation : Forest Cottages and Rest House Tadvai, ITDA Guest House at Eturnagaram.

Arrival information : By rail : Nearest railway station is at Warangal (90 km.)

By road : BIt is well connected by Road. It is about 55 km (34 mi) from Warangal and 200 km (120 mi) from Hyderabad.

Iskcon- Warangal-Temple:                     

                                                               

Kakatiya-Rock-Garden:

                                                                  

                                                                   

Timings - Opening & Closing: Monday - Friday: 9.30 AM - 5.30 PM, Saturday: 9.30 AM - 5.30 PM, Sunday: 9.30 AM - 5.30 PM, Public Holidays: 9.30 AM - 5.30 PM

The Kakatiya Rock Garden is one of the famous attractions of Warangal, which has many rock statues of various animals like lions, sambhar, deer, antelopes and giraffe. In this garden, all the rocks and flowering plants are arranged in a decorative pattern. Moreover, the rock garden also has an artificial waterfall in the rock structure, placed as the background of the garden.

 

Best time to visit Warangal with family

• JAN
   
• FEB
   
• MAR
   
• APR
   
• MAY
   
• JUN
   
• JUL
   
• AUG
   
• SEP
   
• OCT
   
• NOV
   
• DEC

Padmakshi-temple:                          

                                                           

                                                             

This is one of the oldest temples in Hanamkonda, Warangal, AP, India, built by Kakatiya Kings.

The Kakatiya Kings ruled this area in and around the Hanamkonda for few centuries. They have so many temples built in their time. Thousand Pillar Temple, Ramappa Temple,  Swayambhu Temple, Sidheshwara Temple and Padmakshi Temple are few to name. Their interest was to bring the spiritual awareness in the lives of people for many generations to come. Their dreams still flourish and the history still seen on their temple sculptures and temple walls.                                                            

The Goddess Padmakshi fondly called as "Amma" by local people. The meaning of Amma in local language Telugu is Mother. She is considered as Mother of Mothers. That is why she is popularly known as "Padmakshamma". She resides on the top of a hill (called Gutta in local language).

Pakhal- Lake:                                    

                                                                       

Pakhal Lake, situated amidst undulating forest land hills and dales is a popular retreat for the tourists. The lake, constructed around 1213 A.D. by Kakatiyan Ruler, Ganapathidev and spread over an area of 30 km²., provides a beautiful site. Set around the shores of this lake is the Pakhal Wild Life Sanctuary with an area of 839 km². It is a dense forest shelter for a variety of fauna.

If, one is lucky, one can spot a tiger or a leopard or a bear and one can find a herd of deer roaming about freely in the wild. The sanctuary is also harbouring Mammals like panthers, hyenas, wolves, wild dogs, jackals, sloth bear, nilgal, porcupine, langoor, Reptiles like python, cobra, common krait, monitor lizard and Crocodiles.

Ramappa-temple:                             

                                                                  

Ramappa gudi (Telugu: రామప్ప గుడి) also known as the Ramalingeswara temple, is located 77 km from Warangal, the ancient capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, 157 km from Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. It lies in a valley at Palampet village of Venkatapur Mandal, in erstwhile Mulug Taluq of Warangal district, a tiny village long past its days of glory in the 13th and 14th centuries.^[1] An inscription in the temple dates it to the year 1213 and said to have been built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva.

This medieval temple is a Shivalaya (where Shiva is worshipped) and named after the sculptor Ramappa. It is the only temple in the world named after its scultor/architect. Its presiding deity, Ramalingeswara, is the form of Shiva and a personal god of the Avatar of Vishnu, Rama. The history says that it took 40 years to build this temple.

The temple had remained intact even after repeated wars, plunder and destruction by Muslim invaders and natural disasters. There was a major earthquake during the 17th century which caused some damage.

In the Ramappa temple, many of the smaller structures were neglected and are in ruins. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the temple is ruined

Siddeshwara-Temple:

                                                         

Siddheshwara Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located very close to Hanamkonda in Warangal. The temple architecture is marvelous and is similar to Chalukyan style of architecture. The temple as whole is decorated amazingly with intricately carved pillars. This is an important shivaite temple in Warangal. Devotees throng to this holy temple during the Maha Shivarathry festival. The temple has a majestic look and the surroundings are serene and secluded. The temple offers great peace of mind to its devotees.

Sri-vidya-saraswathi-temple:

                

                                                                                                 

Sri Vidya Saraswati Temple or Wargal Saraswati Temple is a Hindu templelocated in Medak district in Andhra Pradesh, India. The deity of education inHinduism is Goddess Saraswati. It is among the few temples of Saraswati in Andhra Pradesh. It is maintained by Kanchi Shanker Mutt. This temple complex was a brain child of Yayavaram Chandrashekhara Sharma, scholar-ed follower of goddesses Saraswati.

Many families visit to the temple for their children's Akshara abyasam (learning ceremony). Meals are provided for free for all the devotees at the temple premises called as Nitya Annadanam.

Vasant Panchami and Sharad Navratri festivals are celebrated every year.^[1] In Navratri's, Moola Nakshatram (Birth star of Goddess Saraswati) is the most auspicious day for worshiping Saraswati Devi, during this day special rituals are performed at the temple.

Veda Patashala

The temple has a Veda Paathashaala on its premises where many students learn Vedas. There are about 300 students who are provided accodmodation on the temple premises.