Warangal Temples Andhra Pradesh

The legendary city of Warangal ,157 km from Hyderabad, the ancient capital city of the Kakatiya kingdom is an enthralling place. Warangal means "history". It was the Capital of the Kakatiya kingdom. Its massive fortress withstood continuous attacks from the Delhi Sultans in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the 19th century it was the hunting ground of the nobles. This city finds its importance in the Marco Polo's travel Diary. It is noted for its beautiful lakes, magnificent temples and wildlife sancutaries too. Warangal today is an important tourist destination. Characterized by Chalukyan style of temple architecture and decoration, the other main attractions of Warangal include the mud-brick forts, and well built artificial lakes. The interesting main historic remnants include the Thousand Pillar Temple, the Warangal Fort, the Ramappa Temple, the Bhadra Kali Temple, etc. Some of them are mention here:

Ramappa Temple
Ramappa Temple, is an archaeological wonder. Situated 50 km from Warangal is the glorious Ramappa shrine at Palampet. The Ramalingeswara temple, popularly known as Ramappa Temple. This probably is the only temple in India known by the name of the sculptor who built it. The head sculptor was Ramappa, after whom the temple is known today, rather than after the presiding deity, Ramalingeswara, as is the general norm. The temple of Ramappa was built on behalf of the king, Kakati Ganapathi Deva by his chief commander Rudra Samani at a place called Ranakude in Atukuru province. This breathtakingly beautiful temple has been rightfully described as the "brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples in the Deccan". Rich, intricate carvings adorn the walls, pillars and ceilings of this marvellous edifice.The temple is a Shivalaya and stands majestically on a 6 ft high star-shaped platform. The hall in front of the sanctum has numerous beautifully carved pillars that have been positioned to create an effect that combines light and space wonderfully and the exquisitely chiselled walls and ceiling make a visit to Ramappa Temple an unforgettable experience. The Ramappa temple is a superb example of their love for art, music and dance. The temple is situated in a valley and is built with bricks so light that they can float on water. Yet the temple is so strong that it is still intact after numerous wars, invasions and natural calamities. There was a major earthquake during the 17th century which shook the Ramappa temple and the other nearby temples. In the Ramappa temple many of the smaller structures were neglected and are in ruins. There were even instances of people carrying away the bricks, to be proudly exhibited that they can float on water, before the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) took charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the temple is ruined, so one can enter only through a small west gate.

Thousand pillar temple
A fine specimen of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture. It was built by Rudra Deva in 1163 AD in the style of Chalukyan temples, star shaped and triple shrined. One thousand as the name implies has many pillars and richly carved pillars, perforated screens, exquisite icons, rock cut elephants and the monolithic black basalt Nandi will take you back down the ages andhas a lovely polished finish. The temple is a fine specimen of architecture and sculpture with richly carved pillars, perforated screens, exquisite icons, rock-cut elephants, etc.

Warangal Fort
Warangal fort is 12-km from Hanamakonda, built by King Ganapathi in 13th century and completed by his daughter Rudrama, Warangal Fort showcases the pride and power of the famous Telugu dynasty, the Kakatiyas,in 1261 A.D., the fort has two walls, with the traces of the third. 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.The Warangal Fort was a huge construction with three distinct circular strongholds surrounded by a moat. Four paths with decorative gateways, set according to the cardinal points, lead to the center where a huge Shiva Temple once existed. The gateway is still obviuous but much of the temple is in ruins. Places of interest in the fort are a temple, and four thoranas or gateways, similar to those of Sanchi and several exquisite pieces of sculpture can be seen.

BhadaraKali Temple
Situated on a hill top between Hanamkonda and Warangal , it is noted for its stone image of the Goddess Kali, here shown in a sitting posture. The 2.7 metre tall stone image of the deity is the main attraction. This temple too is built in the Chalukyan style of temple architecture. She is depicted with eight arms and carries a weapon in each hand. The head of the idol is adorned by a crown.

History
Prola Raja of the Kakatiya dynasty founded the place in the 12th century AD, but some identify it with Worakalli, the capital of the Adeva Rajas of Tuluva Andhra or Telengana in the 8th century AD. Warangal or Varankal is believed to be the Korun Kula of Ptolemy, while another name is Akshalinagar, evidently Yeksilanagar mentioned by Raghunath Bhaskar in his Aravachan Kosh. The ancient name of Warangal was known to be Orugallu or Omtikonda on account of huge boulder like hillock situated near the swayambhu Siva Temple and is also called "EKASILANAGARAM". In course of time, it was called as "Orugallu", and finally known as Warangal . Some of his exquisite images pertain to the Thousand Pillar Temple of Hanamkonda, built in 1162 by the Chalukya Kings. Built from blocks of granite, this ancient Dravidian temple is adorned by intricately carved pillars of various dimensions, perfect in symmetry and style. Even more impressive is the Ramappa temple at Palampet on the banks of a lake. The pillars and ceilings depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Places To see
Musical Garden, Padmakshi Temple, Ghanpur temples and Eturnagaram Sanctuary.
Pakhal
50km from Warangal , is situated amidst undulating forest- clad hills and dales Pakhal Lake, is one of the best picnic spots in the state, was completed around 1213 AD by the Kakatiya dynasty. The lake was constructed from the waters of one of the tributaries of the Krishna River. Pakhal wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 90 acresaround the lake. Its dense forest shelter tiger, leopard animals and a wide of birds. The best season to visit Pakhal is October- March.
Eturnagaram Sanctuary
This large sanctuary covers 812 sq. km. of dry deciduous mixed forests and is home to the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, nilgai, chousingha (four horned antelope), chinkara (mountain gazelle), black buck and many birds species. The area is mostly plain with some hilly terrain at altitude ranging from 200-450 metres with many streams and springs. It has teak and other trees of good quality standing 60 feet and above.
Sri Veeranarayana Temple
The temple is constructed in the Chalukyan style around 1104 AD. The appearance of the temple indicates that it was originally a Jain temple converted into a Vaishnava shrine.
Yadagirigutta
Yadagirigutta 88km from Warangal and 69km. from Hyderabad, is known for the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple.