| The city was once the heartland of Telugu culture.
The capital of the Kakatiya rulers. The historic city of Warangal in the
state of Andhra Pradesh, 175 kms from Hyderabad, is known for its beautiful
lakes, spectacular temples and rich flora and fauna. Warangal today contains
some of the best forms of architecute, especially in temples. Warangal has
many places, which attracts tourists in large number. |
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Places of Tourist
Interest:
Thousand Pillar Temple, Bhadra Kali Temple, Ramappa Temple, Warangal
Fort, Pakhal Lake, Mallikarjuna swamy Temple, Hannamkonda Temple, Brassware
of Pembarti, and many. |
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The Thousand
Pillars Temple:
This temple is one of the finest examples of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture.
The Thousand Pillar temple as the name implies has many pillars, all efficient
carved. The temple is built in Chalukyan Style. The Thousand Pillars Temple
is located in Hanamkonda part of the Warangal City. It was built by Rudra
Deva in 1163 AD in the style of Chalukyan temples, star shaped and triple
shrined. |
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| The 3 shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu
and Surya. The six feet high monolithic Nandi is another major lure of this
temple, also known as 'Trikutalayam', because of the three shrines within. |
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Bhadrakali Temple:
Closer to the Thousand Pillar Temple is another famous temple Set on a hilltop
between Hanumakonda and Warangal, the Bhadrakali temple is noted for its
stone image of the Goddess Kali. She is depicted with eight arms and carries
a weapon in each hand. It is noted for its stone image of Goddess Kali depicted
in a sitting posture. |
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Ramappa Temple:
Ramappa Temple or Ramalingeswara
temple, is situated in Palampet village, which is 70-km form Warangal. This
is a magnificent monument dating back to 1213 AD depicts the glory and richness
of the Kakatiya kingdom. The Ramappa lake adjacent to the temple covering
natural plant and zoo fauna will certainly become a feast to the eyes of
every tourist. Ramappa Lake is situated about 1 Km away from Ramappa temple
near Palampet in Venkatapur Manda. |
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Warangal Fort:
The Kakatiya king, Ganapati
Deva and his daughter Rudramma built the fort, Warangal fort which is 12-km
from Hanamakonda, which dates back to the 13th century. The fort has 45
towers and pillars spread over a radius of 19 km, and a temple of Mother
Earth called 'Swayambhudevi Alayam' in the middle.Though the main fort has
been ravaged over time, the remains of the four huge stone gateways,similar
to those of Sanchi, |
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| along with several exquisite pieces of sculpture
can still be seen in and around the fort. Close your eyes and enter the
stone gateway, Inside the fort are Sambhuni gudi, Venkatesswara temple,
Keerthi Toranas and Kushmahal . |
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Phakal Lake:
Phakal is situated about 50 kms east of Warangal and it is well connected
by road passing through the east.It was completed in 1213 AD by the Kakatiya
king, Ganapathidev, by harnessing a small tributary of the Krishna River.
Set around the shores of this lake is the Pakhal Wild Life Sanctuary with
an area of 839 sq.kms. Visit the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in the forests
around Pakhal
Lake.
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Mallikarjuna
swamy Temple:
This temple is dedicated
to Lord Sri Mallikarjuna swamy a fierce looking diety along with Kethamma
and Medalamma on the both sides of the main diety with fierce looking eyes
and sword versel of bood, Dharmarukm and Shulam in his four hands. This
temple is located at a distance of 12 kms from warangal city on Warangal
Khammam Road. The 'pedda patnam' celebrated on Maha Sivaratri day attract
pilgrims in lakhs. |
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Hannamkonda
Temple:
It is a historic temple
which is 6 km away on the Warangal-Kajipet road. Hannamkonda Temple was
buit by king Rudradev on the Hannamkonda hill slope. The presiding Diety
is Lord Siva called as swayambhu. Lord Swayambhu was worshipped by the famous
Kakatiya Ruler 'Prataparudra' every day during his life time. |
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Pembarti:
Pembarthy is 100Km from
Hyderabad. It is famous for the brassware. The brassware of Pembarthy is
world famous. It is a small village of Andhra Pradesh which is a centre
of brass work. A visit to the artisan's village is very intriguing.
Most of the residents are involved in brass work. The Kakatiya extensively
used sheet metal art to decorate chariots and temples. With the fall of
the Kakatiya empire the art had a slow death.
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| The nearest Airport is Hyderabad (141 kms) connected
by Indian Airlines flights with all major cities.Train services are available
to Warangal from all the major cities of India.Warangal is easily accessible
by road from Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Regular bus services connect Warangal
with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Kurnool in Andhra
Pradesh. |
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