Warangal Travel Guide
Warangal, dating back to the 1100's and mentioned in the travel diaries
of Marco Polo, offers an insight into the development of Hindu temple
architecture. The magnificent star shaped Shiva temple built in the 13th
century, the marvellous thousand pillared temple built by king Rudra
Deva in the 12th century, other temples and the ruins of an ancient fort
are definitely worth a visit.
Now a cotton market town, Warangal also houses a colourful wool market
around the bus stand area in the cooler months. Facilities are adequate
for an overnight stop in the town or a long day trip from Hyderabad can
suffice. Warangal, 157 km from Hyderabad, is noted for its beautiful
lakes, splendid temples and wildlife. It was once the capital of the
legendary Kakatiya kingdom, and mentioned.
Getting There:
Air : The nearest Airport is Hyderabad (141 kms)
connected by Indian Airlines flights with Bombay, Bangalore,
Bhubaneshwar, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras, Nagpur, Vishakhapatnam. East West
Airlines & Continental Aviation also operates flights from Hyderabad
to Bombay.
Rail: Warangal links to all important cities in India
by rail.
Road: Warangal is connected by road to Amaravati (319
km), Armur (170 km), Bangalore (707 km), Bombay (880 km), Calcutta (1498
km), Delhi (1463 km), Hyderabad (141 km), Karimnagar (70 km),Madras (686
km), Nagpur (478 km), Nirmal (228 km), Nizamabad (199 km), Ramagundam
(136 km), Tirupati (633 km), Vijayawada (253 km), Vishakapatnam (619
km), Yadagirigutta (72 km).
Bus Services : Warangal is connected by regular bus
services with Hyderabad, Yadagirigutta, Vijayawada, Armur, Kolanupaka,
Jangaon, Kodad, Karimnagar, Nizambad, Adilabad, Suryapet, Palampet,
Jagtial, Khammam, Bhadrachalam, Basar, etc.
Local Transport
Coaches : Available from the Depot Manager, New Bus
Depot, Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, Hanumakonda.
Tourist Attractions:
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.
Bhadrakali Temple :
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.
Pakhal lake
The Kakatiya rulers built the lake, 50 kms from Warangal, in 1213 AD
Surrounded by hills and forest it makes for a very tranquil sojourn and
is one of the best picnic spots in the state. The lake was constructed
from the waters of one of the tributaries of the Krishna River.
Pakhal wild life sanctuary
The sanctuary covers 90 acres around the lake and is home to tigers,
leopards, bears, hyenas, deer and a wide variety of birds.
Thousand Pillars Temple
It is located 0.4 kms from Hanumakonda.This is a master peice of the
finest speciment of Kakatiya dynasty. This was built by Rani Rudhrama
Devui in 1163 AD. in chalukyan style, and the temple has three shrines
is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Sun.We can find fine screens with fine
perforations, rock cut elephants and monolithic black basalt Nandi.
