Warrangal is a major tourist destination located towards the north east of Hyderabad city. The place constitutes an ancient district situated some 150 kilometres from the famous capital of Andhra Pradesh state. There is a direct railway line and a major road from Hyderabad that leads to the township.
Intro
Warrangal is an ancient district and used to serve as the capital of Kakatiyan empire in the twelfth and thirteenth century. The city was ruled by different dynasties the impressions of which are still found in the art and architecture of the place. The characteristic blend found in many attractions is attributed to the great Hindu and Muslim dynasties that used to rule Warrangal. Historian, archaeologists and tourists find it awesome. The beauty and grandeur presented by the monuments at Warrangal is amazing, it reveals the brilliance reached at the time when there was not even the concept of paper and pen.
Attractions
The historic monuments and forts are real attractions at Warrangal. The city has a plethora of such attractions dating back to early twelfth century when development was at its zenith. The Thousand Pillars temple, Badrakali Temple, Rammapa Temple, Vemulawada Temple, Jain Temple and Someswara Temple highlight the architectural brilliance reached during the ancient period. Thousand Pillars Temple, built with basalt is a live specimen left by Kakatiya and Chalukya rulers. The splendid carvings and inscriptions is all but inviting. Many of these palces are considered as sacred and as such visited by a lot of pilgrims. Kolanupuka, an ancient religious centre of Jains is more than a monumental place. Some of the treasures from this site are housed in the Kolanupuka Museum.
Accessibility
Buses and trains are the convenient means of reaching Warrangal from Hyderabad city. The distance being about 150 kms, it takes about four hours by bus. The availability of buses is not an issue as a large number of private operators provide the service. By train it takes lesser time and an early start can get you back to the city the same day.
Accommodation
Hotel Vijaya and Hotel Venkateshwara are two accommodation providers located near the Warrangal Railway Station. There are many other cheap lodges available in the vicinity.
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Warangal, once the capital of the Kakatiya Kingdom lying south of the River Godavari, is the fifth largest city in Andhra Pradesh located about 157 kms from Hyderabad. It is an important cultural centre of the Telangana region. The ancient history, beautiful lakes, fine architectural temples, rich fauna and flora have contributed its importance to Warangal as a Tourist Centre.
One of the greatest ruling clans of Andhra Desa made this fort city, its Capital. Orugallu, as it was known, is today's modern Warangal. During the reign of the Kakatiya, Telugu culture and literature attained great heights. Some of the finest forms of architecture in the whole South India can be seen in the ruins of the once glorious empire. Only the beauty of the surroundings lakes Warangal, the heartland of Andhra Pradesh. The capital of the Kakatiya empire.
Warangal is well connected by rail from New Delhi, Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Visakhapatnam and Chennai. The city is a cluster of three towns - Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda. Today the city and the district of Warnagal offer, for the connoisseurs of art, architecture and nature, a rich spread.
Warangal. ~150 km from Hyderabad - Ramappa Temple, Pagala Cheruvu, Kirti Toranas of Kakatiyas, Thousand Pillar Temple. We started from Hyderabad around 7 AM by train. Only Sanjeev had browsed the Net for some information as to go where and do what. I just had a few romantic notions of naxal movements to carry with me. Got down from the train, I think at Warangal station. Our plan was to go to Ramappa temple first. For that you should reach Palampet. After a few enquiries, we got into an autorikshaw to the bus station at Narsampet. The bus service was not at all like in Hyderabad. People were quite laidback and buses were irregular. If the enquiry person told you that “bus ippude ostuvanti” it meant there was a possibility of a bus coming after an hour. It gave me reality check on my metrolife. But they were very helpful to guide you. Finally we got a bus to Palampet - to see Ramappa Temple. We got down and were hungry. There was nothing else but a small shop serving liqour and snacks. The lady offered to cook meals for us, by the time we were back from the temple. We agreed and took a few boiled eggs for our way. Ramappa temple is a 13th century grand temple in rock. And curiously this is named after the sculptor and not the god! The temple and the way towards it, is a peaceful countryside. Nice drive. The temple itself is rich in sculptures, including erotic and homosexual. There were daily rituals happening, but not too much of a crowd. Even if you were not a religious person or an art student, you could enjoy the peaceful ambience. Someone told us that there is a lake nearby excavated by the Kakatiyan rulers. We walked up the lake. It was a huge and scenic. There were many people sitting on the bank - couples, a group involved in some community cooking, men coming with beer bottles… There were a few cottages, but all locked. No body could tell us whom it belonged to. The sun was too hot and I was too hungry. We walked back. Our shop lady had made some rice and two curries for us. First time I had a curry made only of green chillies! First time I had food from a toddy shop too. By evening, we had planned to go to Pagala Cheruvu. Our website research said that a moonlit night enjoyed from the guest house there is heavenly. But a few enquiries, fortunately in advance, told us that there was nothing to stay there. Now, where do we stay for the night? Luckily, Ratheesh ventured to ask the government guest house in the town and viola….we got accomodation! There was no VIP coming in that day. We decided to use our citizenship rights to stay in the guest house. We had food from a small restaurant nearby and slept in the guest house. Next day morning, we were off to Pagala Cheruvu. We gave some money to the security and went the town bus stand. We tried asking a few autorikshaws if they could drop us, but did not succeed. We got into a bus finallly and then caught an autorikshaw from where it dropped us. The drive was through beautiful countryside and we reached Pagala Cheruvu. A beautiful place. We just sat there or and took a walk around. There was nothing much to do except relaxing. There were so many monkeys around. And we saw the guesthouse which the website told us to stay in. It had been bombed almost 10 years ago! One reason why I write this entry. Please do not read information that is not updated in websites. We could have just sat there and just talked and talked. But we hadn not had breakfast and were getting hungry. So we returned to the town. After breakfast and started off to see the ruins of Kakatiya dynasty. The ruins as such looked more like a park to me than dynastic emblems. But the sculptures and carvings were excellent works of art. There was also a temple on hill top. The ascent was easy with something similar to steps carved on the rock.
We had gone to Warangal quite long ago. I was not a frequent blogger then and did not write about it.
This was a trip I enjoyed a lot. It was not planned, no rooms booked and totally out of the blue.
We were: Ratheesh, Bindu, Sanjeev, Nisa and myself. All of us had our own reasons to get out and travel.Ratheesh, Bindu and me beside Pagala CheruvuThe bombed guest house
Warangal Tourism
The Thousand Pillar Temple
Past And Pilgrimage
Situated around 120 km northeast of Hyderabad, Warangal is the fourth largest city of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal was once the capital of kingdom ruled by Kakatiya Dynasty who ruled the city for more than 2 centuries. The city was then called as 'Orugallu' meaning one stone. It got the name as the entire city was carved in a single stone. Warangal is most noted for the oldest temples and monuments in Andhra Pradesh. The city finds reference in the diary of Marco Polo, the legendary traveler. The temples especially are a great example of architectural skills that were possessed by people in that era. Today it is an important destination in terms of economy. It is a well known exporter of granite, cotton, rice and chillies.
Warangal is a city consisting of three towns namely Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda. These districts have some exquisite lakes and gardens that lend the city a touch of natural beauty. The city comes under the Telangana region which means that you will find more people speaking Telugu language. Warangal is a good place to shop for thick cotton fibre carpets and scroll paintings on a cloth.
Attractions - Long Lost Impressions
Warangal Fort
Although most of the fort is in ruins today, but still Warangal fort is among the best attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Situated just 2 Km from the Warangal Railway Station, the fort is easily accessible from any part of the city. History of the fort dates back all the way to 13th century. It has stood witness to many wars and revolts almost throughout its life. Warangal Fort was destroyed by one of the invaders who successfully penetrated the three layer protection of the fort. The outermost wall which has a circumference of few kilometers is a mud wall which is around 20 feet in height. The second wall is completely built of granite. Warangal Fort is also famous for some exquisite gateways that have become a symbol of Andhra Pradesh Tourism. These huge gateways, carved intricately from top to bottom are called Kirti Toranas (The Gateways of Glory).
Thousand Pillar Temple
Although most of the fort is in ruins today, but still Warangal fort is among the best attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Situated just 2 Km from the Warangal Railway Station, the fort is easily accessible from any part of the city. History of the fort dates back all the way to 13th century. It has stood witness to many wars and revolts almost throughout its life. Warangal Fort was destroyed by one of the invaders who successfully penetrated the three layer protection of the fort. The outermost wall which has a circumference of few kilometers is a mud wall which is around 20 feet in height. The second wall is completely built of granite. Warangal Fort is also famous for some exquisite gateways that have become a symbol of Andhra Pradesh Tourism. These huge gateways, carved intricately from top to bottom are called Kirti Toranas (The Gateways of Glory).
Jain Temple
With over 2000 years of history behind it, Jain temple is among the oldest temples in Warangal. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mahaveera. The most interesting attraction of the temple is a 5 ft high image of Lord Mahaveera which is completely carved out of Jade. There are numerous images of exceptional tirthankaras all around the temple.
Ramappa Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Ramappa Temple is one of the prime examples of exquisite architectural brilliance that Kakatiya Kingdom had. Original name of the temple is Ramalingeswara which is popularly known as Ramappa Temple. It is called so as the name of its constructor was Ramappa. It is the only temple in India that is known by the name of its constructor. The temple is around 70 Km away from Warangal. It stands on a 6 ft high platform and is built of bricks that are so light that they are believed to float in water. The walls of the temple are covered with spellbinding carvings. Astounding level of precision have been achieved on the works. The sanctum has on top a multi storey Shikhara. Even after many centuries, the main portion of the temple still stands without any visible damage. Maha Shivratri is the main festival of the temple which is celebrated for three days.
Accommodation in Warangal
You should not have a problem in finding an apt place according to your wishes to stay in Warangal. There are luxurious hotels where you will world class business facilities along with pampering room and recreational facilities. Then are budget hotels that will cater to all your basic needs with utmost care. Best hotels in the city are City Grand Hotel, Hotel Suprabha, Ashoka Hotel, Punnami Hotel and Hotel Ratna.
How To Reach Warangal
By Air
The nearest airport to Warangal is at Hyderabad which is at a distance of around 130 Km from here. It is best to hire a taxi from the airport to Warangal as it takes the least time and is quite comfortable. It will take around 3 hrs to cover the distance.
By Rail
Warangal has its own railway stations that connects it to almost all parts of India. The station lies on Delhi-Chennai main line which has many important trains running on it and all have a halt at Warangal.
By Road
Warangal has good network of roads that connect it to all the important cities of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is the closest major city to Warangal. There are regular APSRTC buses plying between the two cities. There are private buses as well.
Local Transportation
Auto rickshaws are the most common mode of transportation inside the city and the cheapest as well. You can hire a taxi which is the most comfortable way of getting around in the city. You will also find good number of buses connecting distant parts of the city.
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