WARANGAL

WARANGAL
Warangal, located in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, is at a distance of about 150 km from Hyderabad. Capital of the erstwhile Kakatiya Dynasty in the 12th century, Warangal was also known as Orugallu and Ekasilanagaram. The city known for its beautiful lakes, ancient temples, and forts, features in the travel dairies of Marco Polo.
The city with its glorious past, has many interesting places to see, especially those of architectural importance. Undoubtedly, a haven for tourists. The grand Kakatiya architecture is visible in the the Thousand PillarTemple built by Rudra Devi in 1163. Richly carved pillars, delicate screens, elaborate and detailed sculptures... you will be awestruck. The Warangal Fort, now in ruins, dates back to the 13th century, it has beautiful archways and fine geometrical intricacies. Also, present are beautiful temples like the Ramappa Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, and many more, which will transport you back into time.
All important Hindu festivals such as Dassera, Deepavali and Sankranthi are celebrated here. In addition, the district also hosts a fair - the Sammakka - Saralamma Jatra or congregation. Every two years, approximately 6 million people converge for over three days around the small village of Medaram. This fair is said to be the largest repeating aggregation of tribal communities in the whole world. Bonalu and Bathukamma festivals, symbolic of the Telangana region are also celebrated here.
The Regional Engineering College, National Institute of Technology and The Kakatiya University which is headquartered in Warangal are some of the major educational institutions located here. Warangal can be easily reached from wherever you are, through road or rail. The nearest airport is at Hyderabad.

TOURISM PLACES IN WARANGAL
Veyyi Stambhala Gudi or 1000 Pillar Temple
Veyyi Stambhala Gudi or 1000 Pillar Temple. It has a catchy and apt name. There are thousand pillars of many varieties and sizes; some of them are even part of others! The pillars that support the central 'Natya Mandapam' (dance floor) are large and made of multiple blocks of stone. The other catch is psychological. When you hear "Veyyi Stambalu" (thousand pillars) you imagine a farm of pillars. For my expectation, the temple was much smaller. More so because a mandapam (see left of the picture below), that contributes 400 of 1000 pillars, was dismantled by the Archeological Survey of India for reconstruction. Unlike pillars in other temples of India, pillars of the main temple, are tightly knit and form its walls and so don't seem like there are 600 of them. The temple is star shaped with three shrines devoted to Rudradeva (Shiva), Vishnu, and Surya (Sun). Interestingly, the third deity is not Brahma who is part of the Trinity of God [as in the Trinity (which consists of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) in Suchindrum] because the Kakatiyas worshipped Lord Shiva and Lord Surya and not so much Brahma. On the fourth side is Shiva's vehicle, Nandi or Bull. Unlike most temples in India that face east, 1000 pillar temple faces south. Because, the Kakatiyas, worshipers of Lord Shiva, wanted early morning sun rays to fall directly on Shiva Lingam. So, of the three shrines, Shiva's shrine faces east and other shrines face south and west. On the fourth side is Nandi. Adding to the uniqueness, the Nandi in 1000 pillar temple looks east, unlike most Nandis in Indian temples that look west. Between these four is the Natya Mandapam (dance floor) where dancers performed.

RAMAPPA TEMPLE
The Ramappa temple is near the ancient engineering marvel of the 13th century AD Ramappa tank. The ancient Ramappa tank can be dated back to the period of Kakatiyas. It is a well-conceived tank where a 2000 ft long earthen dam connects a semi circular chain of hills to form a lake. The Ramalingeswara Temple is popularly known as the Ramappa temple because the chief sculptor was Ramappa. It is probably the only temple in India to be known by the name of the sculptor who builds it. It was built under the patronage of the King Kakati Ganapathi Deva by his Chief Commander Rudra Samani at Ranakude in the province of Atukuru. The temple has been described as the "brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples in the Deccan". The temple is approached thorough a royal garden, now just a lawn with tree lined path. The temple is situated in a valley and is built with bricks so light that they can float on water. Yet the temple is so strong that it is still intact after numerous wars, invasions and natural calamities. The Ramappa temple stands on a 6 ft high platform on a cruciform plan. The sanctum is crowned with a shikhara and is surrounded by a pradakshinapatha. Rich and intricate carvings adorn the walls, pillars and ceilings of this wonderful building. The hall in front of the sanctum has numerous beautifully carved pillars that have been placed to create an effect that combines light and space wonderfully. There are many votive shrines within the temple. There are two subsidiary shrines on either side of the main temple, which are in a good condition. The entire temple complex is enclosed with a compound wall. At the entrance to the temple is a ruined Nandi mandapam, with an imposing 9 ft high Nandi, which is still intact. The Shivalingam in the sanctum also rises to a height of 9 ft. The east-facing sanctum is surrounded with pilasters crowned with Dravidian and Nagara shikharas in an alternating fashion. There is an additional entrance from the north also leading to the Navaranga mandapam in front of the sanctum. The ceiling is divided into compartments by columns from the bottom and is carved with intricate patterns. There is a richness of carvings in this temple on dark rock with a smooth finish, portraying an amazing range of themes from the Puranas and various Indian mythological stories. The temple signifies many facets of Shiva, his royal residence, the Himalaya Mountains and his inhabiting a sacred space beyond the mortal realm. The temple is built upon the classical pattern of being first raised upon a platform that separates its sacred functions from the taint of the everyday. This 'sacred mountain' mindset was characteristic of the temple builders in all the cultures. It represented a powerful symbolic representation of a perfect building, an intersection in midair of the spheres of heaven and earth. The platform lifts it above the normal, transcends the profane, declaring with uncompromising firmness that it is a place for un-common activities dedicated to a god. Maha Shiva Ratri is celebrated for a period of three days in this temple Many of the smaller structures are neglected and are in ruins in the Ramappa temple. There were even instances of people carrying away the bricks, to be proudly exhibited that they can float on water, before the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) took charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the temple is ruined, so one can enter only through a small west gate.

WARANGAL FORT
Warangal Fort is one of the architectural wonders of the bygone era. Sited in south-east of Warangal city, the massive structure was built in the 13th century by rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty. Though presently in ruins, Warangal Fort still boasts of the dexterity of artists of earlier times. On the brink of Ekashila (a hill rock), the Citadel appears diffused in the several layers. In the mid-13th century, the construction of this colossal structure was initiated by the Kakatiyan king, Ganapatideva. Rani Rudramaa, who was the daughter of the King, further made the efforts to complete the construction work. Once, one of the impregnable forts in Andhra Pradesh, Warangal Fort is today very popular for its architectural brilliance, which is above and beyond its history. The loose ends of the edifice include commanding gateways and graceful towers that elevate to no less than 50 feet. The remarkable feature about the main gateway comprises of the four gigantic pillars, which have been crafted out of a single rock. Warangal Fort, having three protective layers, suggests the standards of security that used to be employed to guard the inner precincts and center of power. The pride of Kakatiya dynasty, it had two fortifications, with the inner one consisting of four stone gateways. The remnants of the fort present a valuable insight of the past civilization. The wreckage comprises of intricate sculpturea, stone works, motifs and designs - depicting animals like lions and swans. Within the Warangal Fort, you can see remains of the temples that had been erected by the early Qutub Shahi kings. It has many possessions that are worth-seeing. In short and snappy terms, visit the fort and explore this standing testimony of its glorious past.

BHADRAKALI TEMPLE
The Bhadrakali Temple is located on the hilltop between the twin cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali. Though the image of the deity is called Bhadrakali, the goddess is said to have been transformed by mantras into a very rare form called the Tripura Sundari. Tripper Sundry (Beauty of the Three Worlds or cities) is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Priority - the feminine power that is the vital energy of the universe. The structure of the temple reflects the architectural style of Chalukyas. The 250 year old temple is believed to have been constructed by the Kakativas and is located on the banks of the Bhadrakail Lake. This temple complex houses the deity in her several different forms and avatars. The most remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the Goddess in a sitting posture with fierce looking eyes and face. The Goddess is seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons. A major attraction in the vicinity of the temple is the 2-km radius artificial lake. A number of natural rock formations in the surroundings add to the spiritual charm of the temple. Some of these unique rock formations are said to carry immense spiritual powers.

KOMURAVELLI - Mallikarjuna Swamy
Komuravelli is a small village in Warangal district and it is very famous for the Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy temple. Every year in the month of January fair would be held, which is called Jatara in Telugu. This jatara starts immediately after Makara Sankranti i.e., on the first sunday after Makara Sankranti till the telugu new year Ugadi
The feast is conducted on every sundays from Sankranti to Ugadi. People from various parts of the state come to have the darshan of the lord and take his blessings. Most of the devotees are from telangana only and among them yadavs are the majority.
The deity of the lord is huge in structure and he is seated in between the two huge rocks with his consorts goddess Bravaramba and goddess Golaketamma. Temple is opened on all through the year, however the darshan of lord would be more worth seeing during the jatara.
Apart from the main temple, there is bandi chakralu which is just opposite to the temple, it is believed that the rath shaped structure is the lords chariot which he use to ride. Various offerings and Poojas are perfomed here amongs them the most famous are the Bonalu and the Agigundalu, agigundalu is conducted on the first day of the jatara and again on the last day of jatara. It is believed that on some devotees lord would come, which is called punacam and that is the reason they can walk easily on the hot coal (agigundalu). Bonalu for lord is also very important pooja and which is done by the devotees as offering to lord for being with them and it is thanks giving pooja to the almighty. There is one more offering called as Patam, that is rangoli is done on the ground by the devotees and they dance with joy worshipping the lord and singing various songs on him.
Few yards away from the main temple, there is one more temple of Goddess Renuka Devi, sister of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy, her temple is located on the top of the hill, the devotees need to go by walk to take the blessings of her. However the temple is not any structure made of concrete, a small idol of the goddess is worshiped here who is seated between the rocks. Here also offering of bonalu is done, this is really a worth watching, on the feast day, so many devotees take the bonalu on their heads to the goddess with the diyas on it (lighted lamps on the bonalu). All the bonalu are offered before 7:00 pm in the evening, when we see the devotees taking the bonalu to the hill top from the ground level we can only see the diyas lightening, bright in the dark evening. Bonalu are decorated with the haldi and kumkum according to the devotees wish, we can see the good art done on the bonalu.
Few kilometres from the main temple there is one more temple of Goddess Konda Pochamma, this temple is about 15 to 20 kilometres away from Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, people who come to worship Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy would definitely go to this goddess temple too, she is called the village goddess and she too is elder sister of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. Here the fair would be conducted on tuesdays same as starting from Makara Sankranti to Ugadi. Once the devotees complete their offering at Komuravelli would travel down to Konda Pochamma temple i.e., on Monday and offer the poojas and bonalu on tuesdays here. Here the temple is small but the goddess power is great, she would bless all her devotees.
May all of us have the blessings of God Mallikarjuna.
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam temple is dedicated to fierce looking diety Lord Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy along with Kethamma and Medalamma on both sides of the deity. Devotees often refer this deity as Komuravelli Mallanna. This is one of the most frequented and famous temples in the Telangana region. People from all over the state visit this temple on different occasions.
It is believed that the deity of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy which is a clay moulded is made around 500 years back. As the devotees started visitng the temple and as the rush increased the committee of the temple started developmental activities in the temple and made arrangements for the devotees and also built and renovated mandapamas and choultries, rest rooms, water facility etc. Pedda Patnam which is celebrated on the Maha Sivaratri usually attract lakhs of pilgrims.
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam made provisions for the devotees to do online reservations for various pujas, offerings for annadanam and various other sevas.

MORE INFORMATION
Head Quarters:Warangal
Area:12,846 sq.km
The Boundaries:Khammam, Nalgonda, Medak, Karimnagar districts and Karimnagar district.
Major Places:Warangal, Hanamkonda, Kazipet.
Pilgrimage Centers:Thousand Pillared Temple, Ramappa Temple, Ghanapur, Kazipet Dargah and Bhadrakali temple.
Tourist Places:Warangal Fort, Pakhal Lake, Pakhal and Eturinagaram sanctuaries, Ghanpur.
Handicrafts:Pembarthi Metal Crafts, Banjara Fabrics, Warangal Rumals, Warangal Carpets and Nakashow Paintings.