WARANGAL DISTRICT-HISTORY-TOURIST PLACES-ANDRAPRADESH

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.

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.

TEMPLES:

SRI BHADRAKALI DEVASTHANAM, WARANGAL TOWN:

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the Giant moyher Goddess, with fierce looking eyes and face. The Diety is believed to be worshipped bt the Historic ruler pulakesin-II of Chalukya Dynasty in the year 625 A.D. after his win over the 'Vengi' region of Andhra Desha. The minister of Kakatiya Ganapathy Deva namely 'Hari' has constructed the tank and road to the temple. Every tourist to Warangal will certainly make a visit to this historical temple to have the blessings of the Mother Goddess.






SRI MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY DEVASTHANAM, KOMURAVELLI:

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. The temple is located in a cave on a small hillock at a distance of 110 Kms from warangal. Lakhs of piligrims congregate on the eve of Makara Sankranthi as Brahmotsavam starts. The clay moulded diety of Lord Mallikarjuna swamy is believed to be made 500 years ago. The temple is renovated and mandapamas and choultries etc., are constructed by Endowments Department. The 'pedda patnam' celebrated on Maha Sivaratri day attract pilgrims in lakhs. It is located at a distance of 85 kms from the state capital on Karimnagar - Hyderabad - Highway (Rajiv Rahadari).






SRI MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY DEVASTHANAM, AYINAVOLU:

This temple is believed to be built prior to Kakatiyas around 700 A.D. and developed by Kakatiya rulers. The Unique Keerthi Toranams of Kakatiya style can be seen on the east and southern side of the temple. The presiding diety is Lord Mallikarjuna swamy 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 rock engraved temple with spacious prakaram is a famous tourists spot.





SRI SAMMAKKA SARALAMMA JATHRA, MEDARAM:

It is famous tribal Jathra in the midst of dense forest. Lakhs of pilgrims pour into this spot biennially to have the blessings of mother Goddesses Sri Sammakka and Saralamma who have attained 'Martydom' at this sacred place in the battle held with the forces of Kakatiyas ruler Prathaparudra. Since then the Jathra is being celebrated biennially. The Government of Andhra Pradesh declared this holy jathra as State Festival.











SRI VEERA BHADRA SWAMY DEVASTHANAM, KURAVI:

This temple is believed to be constructed by the famous ruler 'Bheema Raju' of Vengi Chalukya Dynasty and renovated by the Kakatiya ruler 'Betharaju-I. The reference of this temple has also made by the famous traveller 'Marko-Poli' as it stood as the capital of Vengi Chalukya Dynasty. The presiding diety is Lord Veerabhadra swamy is fierce looking Diety with three eyes and ten hands. The annual jathra Brahmotsavams will be celebrated during the mahasivarathri Festival.





SRI SWAYAMBU TEMPLE, FORT WARANGAL:

It is a historic temple in which Lord Swayambhu was worshipped by the famous Kakatiya Ruler 'Prataparudra' every day during his life time. The presiding Diety is Lord Siva called as swayambhu (Lieterally means self incarnated God). The temple is very adjacent to the ruins of Kakatiya Capital at Fort Warangal. There will be flow of pilgrims, tourists during all seasons from all over India and abroad to witness the ruins of Kakatiya Dynasty.









SRI RUDRESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE, HANAMKONDA:

The temple decorated with one thousand pillers temple, and popularity known as Thousand pillars temple. The Kakatiya ruler 'Rudra Deva' built this historic monument in the year 1163 A.D. and named after him as 'Sri Rudreswara swamy temple 'Trikootalaya", The presiding diety is Rudreswara. The remaining two "Sanctum sanctorums" are dedicated to 'Lord Durya' and 'Lord Vishnu'. The gains 'Nandi' as in Lepakshi in front of the temple is unique in sculptural beauty. It is under control and maintenance of the Archaeological Department.





RAMAPPA TEMPLE, PALAMPET:

The temple is built in the year 1213 A.D. by 'Recherla Rudraiah'. This historical temple attracts tourist from India and abroad as it is known for its architectural and sculptural beauty. The sculptures were encraved according to the postures mentioned by Jayapa Senani in his famous work 'Nruthya Ratnavali'. The postures pertaining to Bharata Natya, Shrunga, Bharunga, Rathi, Perini Nritya etc., are encraved on the pillars and top-beams of 'Mukha Mandapam', The mythological episodes such as 'Gopika Vastrapaharanam, Tripura samharm, Daksha Samharam, Ksheera Sagara Madhanam, Girija Kalyanam etc., stand for the highest standards of Kakatiya Sculpture.



The 'Nagini' and other eleven devanarthakis are arranged as supporting beams on both sides of each entrance. The aesthetic sense which scaledinnumerable heights in Kakatiya sculpture is clearly evident in these twelve postures of deva narthakis.



The Mudras and Bhangimas have highly inspired the dance master Dr.Natraja Ramakrishna in giving shape to the historical classical dance 'Perini Siva Thandavam'. The Ramappa lake adjacent to the temple covering natural plant and zoo fauna will certainly become a feast to the eyes of every tourist.


SRI SOMESWARA LAXMINASASIMHA SWAMY TEMPLE, PALAKURTHY:

 It is located at a distance of 50 Kms from Warangal on a hillock in the out skirts of Palakurthy Mandal head quarters. It is also the birth place of famous poet palakurthy Somanadha Kavi of 12 the century.

His samadhi can be seen here. This historic temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and Vishnu who incarnated in two adjacent caves at a height of 120 meters on the hillock. The 'Pradakshina Path' encircling the two caves is quite natural.

There is a dillapidated 'Surya' Temple and Koneru can also be witnessed at this place. This place once flourished which the adherents of 'Veera Saiva' sect of Hiduism has lost prominence in cource of time presently it is a famous pilgrimage centre in warangal district.

Pilgrims mostly from Karnataka and Maharashtra. Mainly the Veera Saivas will certainly make a visit once in year to have the blessings of presiding deities and Somanadhakan.

SRI RAMACHANDRA SWAMY TEMLE, JEEDICAL:

It is located at distance of 10 kms from Jangoan. The temple is an ancient one and believed that, Lord Sri Rama visited this temple on his way to 'Lanka' (Sri Lanka) after separation from Sita Devi. People also believe that, Rama has killed the 'Maricha' who was in the guise of 'Maya Ledi' or the Magis deer. A boulder namely 'Ledi Banda' can be seen here. "Jeedigundam" and "Palagundam" are the two pushkarinis for the holy dip of the pilgrims.