Warangal History

Warangal History

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.

Bhadrakali Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the Glant 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 deity which measures 2.7 meters in height and the width is believed to be worshipped by the historic ruler Pulakesin-II of Chalukya Dynasty in the year 625 A.D. After his win over the "vengi" region of Andhra Desh. Later "Hari" a Minister of Kakatiyan Ruler Ganapathi Dev, Constructed the approach road and huge tank near the temple.

Thousand Pillars Temple:

The temple, as the name enunciates, is decorated with one thousand pillars. This famous historic monument was built in 1163 A.D. by a Kakatiyan ruler, Rudradev and was named after him as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple. The temple is built in unique "Trikootalaya" style of Kakatiyas, the presiding deity in the main "Sanctum Sanctorum" is Rudreshwar and the other two are dedicated to "Lord Surya" and "Lord Vishnu" the temple is on a satellite plan with the three shrines connected to a square Rung Mandap in the centre. A beautifully carved giant "Nandi" as in Lepakshi is seen on the platform connecting the shrines in the mandap. The exterior wall of the temple, the celling slabs and the four central pillars of the navarangal mandap are decorated with finely carved sculptures of the deities. The sculptures of Indra with Airavata craftsmanship of the Kakatiya Dynasty.

Apart from these, mythical figure brackets such as Gaja-Kesari, Half human-Lion form riding on elephant, Horse-head Lion back on elephant are also arranged under the eves in eastern and southern side porticos. To the north from main temple, there is another temple dedicated t Siva which is exact replica of the main temple. To the south of the main temple, there is a pillared mandap whose central ceiling is decorated with different kinds patma motives. More over nineteen subsidiary shrines consisting of garbhgriha and antarala are placed around the temple.

There is no information about the builder of these great temples except three inscriptions which only talk about visit of Vibhuttigaru, a house hold servant of Panditharadhya. But on stylistic grounds and comparing architectural features of ~mous Ramappa temple at Palampet village, it can be presumed that these temples were most probably constructed during the time of Ganpathidev Maharaj in early 13 the Century A.D. These magnificient group of temples are located adbist tall and lofty palmyra trees and this luxuriant vegetation serves as a beautiful backdrop making visit to these temples a visual feast and a memorable one.

Musical Garden:

Musical Garden is a beautifully laid garden in an area of 15 acres adjacent to Bhadrakali tank. The main attractoin of this garden is a magnificent music fountain operated through a computer in which a number of colourful lights dance to the tune of music, with a huge rock having an artificial water fall in the background. The garden is beautifully landscaped and has an artificial lake in which boating facility is available. Every day hundreds of people visiting this garden and a special show of the musical fountain is arranged daily at 7-00 pm.

Lakhnavaram Lake:

Lakhnavaram Lake is famous for a scenic beauty. It was formed by closing three narrow valleys each with a short bund, with hills being its natural barrier. Constructed by the Kakatiyas in 13th Century A.D, the lake offers irrigation facility of about ayacut of 4500 hectres and is worth of visit.

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 Sq.Kms., provides a beautiful site.Set around the shores of this lake is the Pakhal Wild Life Sanctuary with an area of 839 sq.kms. 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 Marmals like panthers, hyensa, wolf, wild dogs, jackals, sloth bear, nilgal, porcupine, langoor, Reptiles like python, cobra, common krait, monitor lizard and Crocodiles.

Ramappa Lake:

Ramappa Lake is a magnificient example of irrigation work of Kakatiya Rulers constructed in 13- Century A.D. during Ganapathi Deva's time. Its water is spread over an area of more than 82 Sq.Kms with lush greenery all around. The lake is over looked by beautiful hill ranges in the background providing a spectacular view especially at Sunset time. It is an excellent place for lovers of picnic and one can simply come here and relax under the shade of sprawling trees or walk around appreciating the beauty of nature or have a fascinating boat ride through lovely blue water.

Ghanpur Group of Temples:

The Ghanpur group of temples, comprising of 22 temples constructed within a double walled stone enclosure contain a veritable museum of Kakatiya art and architecture. Among the group of temples, the main temple, which is dedicated to Lord siva is most attractive. The main attraction is of the Sabhamandapa porches. Two madanikas or salabhanjikas, which are on northern side portico, are much more attractive and blithe in their appearance, compared to the famous Palampet(Ramappa Temple) bracket figures.

Brassware of Pembarti:

Scholars tell us of a previous age when iron was not known and copper and alloys were used for making metal tools and objects of daily use. A small part of that age is still with us but mostly in objects of art.Statues, carvings, castings still continue to be made in the attractive copper alloys like bronze and brass. The methods used are still ancient, traditional ones although the raw material today comes from modern mines and furnaces. Indian brass is renowned the world over and chances are the brass potted planter in the foyer of a Manhattan hotel or Tokyo corporate office comes from Pembarti, 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 and a light bulb would shine through it in a hundred different rays.