Warangal is the most important historic city in the Telangana region. It was the capital of the Kakatiya rulers who practised Veera Shaivam which led to the constrcution of some magnificient Shiva temples in the area.The temples at Ramappa and Hanamkonda stand as testament to the artistic and architectural finery of the times. The remains of the fort they built suggest the erstwhile glory of the town. In recent times, Warangal became an important city in terms of trade and commerce. An important producer or fine rice, red chillies and cotton, Warangal boasts of one of the largest food grain markets in Asia. Warangal and Hanamkonda as legend goes is linked with the dynasties of Great "Vishnukundins" and even prior to it also of the Buddhist and pre_Buddhist periods of indian History.During Eighth Century A.D. , Warangal with an old name "Orukal" has served as Capital City of Yadava king of the Kakatiyas or Ganapatis making Warangal as Capital City.The name of Warangal "Orugallu" is said to be correct form of Orukal which is the original designation ,the old town.The words the middle of the Warangal fort. The Kakatiya line seems to have been in existance even earlier to the middle of 7th Century A.D.because the famous Chines Piligrim Hieun-Tsang,mentions the nameof the Kingdom of "Danakakitya" in the South.The family name Kakatiya is derived from the local appellation of the Goddess Durga(Kakati). After the fall of Bahamani Kingdom,Warangal fell to the "Qutab Shahis" of Golkonda and thereafter it has came under the sway of Nizam's dominitions. Thus the city of Warangal has developed both under the political and historical influences of successive great kings.The Historical events and development occured in Warangal City. These are :- 1. Kakatiya Stage 1000 - 1323 2. Transmission Stage 1422 - 1725 3. Asifijahi Stage 1725 - 1948 4. Modern Stage 1948 - On Wards. WARANGAL DISTRICT TOURISM Warangal, once the capital of the Kakatiya Kingdom, is the fifth largest city of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal's History, with beautiful lakes, fine temples, rich fauna & flora have contributed to its importance as a Tourist Centre. The ancient name of Warangal was known to be Oruguallu 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. Warangal the ancient Kakatiya Kingdom has everything to satisfy the thirst of tourist all over the world. It has beautiful Lakes , Forts, Architectural Monuments, Wild Life Sanctuary, Musical Garden , Rock Garden, Vana Vigyana Kendra, Regional Science Centre , a fine blend of new and old. The Capital of Kakatiyas is just 150 KM from Hyderabad , the capital of Andhra Pradesh. ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS & TEMPLES Thousand Pillars Temple 12th Century Ramappa Temple 12th Century Warangal Fort Ghanpur Group of Temples. WATER BODIES Ramappa Lake Pakhal Lake Lakhnavaram Lake RECENT ATTRACTIONS Musical Garden Rock Garden Regional Science Centre Van Vigyan Kendra Etunagaram Wild Life Senctuary NEW AMBITIOUS PROJECT A Ropeway from top of the hillocks of Regional Science center is planned to hillock of Bhadrakali Temple. This will be a unique attraction for Tourists from the region and from Sothern Plateau and Central India. Warangal is having a grand Yatri Niwas for tourists and is under renovation. The work will complete within a short period of time. District Tourism is also planning regular Shuttle services by road from Hyderabad to Warangal and then Circuit routes from Warangal to Water Bodies, Group of Temples , Garderns, Fort, Science Center and back. Connecting transport will also be provided on rail routes.
Preched elegantly on the slopes of the hills at Hanmkonda, the Thousand Pillars Temples is a fine specimen of kakatiya architecture and sculpture. Built by Rudra Deva in 1163 AD in the Chalukyan style, the star-shaped, triple-shrined temple is dedicated to shiva, vishnu and surya. The temple is notable for its richly carved pillar, perforated screens and exquisite icons, specially impressive are the rockcut elephants and the Nandi statue is reminiscent of a turbulent yet glorious history. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish. We were the only people visiting this Jain temple. It was totally silent, save for the wind that gently swayed the bells that hung from the peaks of the roof.
Situated a top a hillock between Hanamkonda and Warangal, it is famous for stone image of the goddess. Eight-armed, with a weapon in each hand, she is shown in a sitting posture. The 2.7 mts tall stone image of the deity is the main attraction here. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the Grant mother Goddess, with fierce looking eyes and face. The main attraction of the temple is the stone image of the diety in human form, in sitting posture, wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.
The Ramappa temple is located in a small village called Palampeta and was built during Kakati Ganapatideva's reign in the year 1213 A.D. by his general Racharla Rudra. 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.
Pakhal 50km from Warangal, is situated amidst undulating forest- clad hills and dales Pakhal Lake, a popular retreat, was completed around 1213 AD by the Kakatiya dynasty. Set around the shores of this lake is the Pakhal wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 900sq. km. Its dense forest shelter tiger, leopard animals and birds. The best season to visit Pakhal is October- March.
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