The once
glorious Warangal Fort near Hanamkonda, erected by Ganapati Deva and his
daughter Rudramma, now lies in ruins. Four huge stone gateways leading to the fort stand
here as mute testimony to the Kakatiyas' architectural prowess. Perhaps a willing
suspension of disbelief is all you need as you wander through the palace portals. Close
your eyes and enter the stone gateway, and offer flowers at the crumbling Swayambhu
temple, a shrine dedicated to Shiva.
Then visit the three concentric shrines to Vishnu, Shiva and Surya in the Thousand
Pillared Temple - another striking example of ornate Kakatiya architecture. King
Rudradeva built this edifice at the base of Hanamkonda Hill. The entrance is guarded by
Shiva's sacred bull, Nandi, in black stone, and each pillar is intricately sculpted. The Bhadrakali
Temple at the summit of Hanamkonda is a shrine to Goddess Kali in her battle
glory, brandishing weapons in each of her eight arms. While in Warangal, visit the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary in the
forests around Pakhal Lake, 50 km from Warangal, a reserve for tigers, panthers, sambhars
and other wildlife. Palampet, 60 km out of Warangal, is the site of the
magnificent Ramappa Temple and the Ramappa Cheruvu lake amidst forested hills. And
finally, cool off in front of the fountains at Warangal's sprawling Musical
Gardens. Or spend a lazy afternoon at the Vana Vignan Kendra, a park on Hunter
Road.
Getting there:
Warangal is 157 km from Hyderabad, a 3-½ hour drive. There is a frequent bus service
between the two cities. You can also get here by train from Hyderabad. The main bus stand
and the railway station are next to each other. From here, the usual modes of transport
are cycle-rickshaws, autorickshaws, buses and taxis. You can also join a tour of the area
conducted by AP Tourism.
Best time: It is best to come here in the cool winter months, from November to
March.
Accommodation: Warangal has plenty of budget accommodation especially in the area
near the station. You can stay at guesthouses, lodges and motels where the tariffs range
from Rs100 for a basic room to Rs 500 for a deluxe room. Accommodation is also available
at the Vanavihar (Forest) Guest House on the banks of the lake Ramappa Cheruvu at Palampet
(68 km from Warangal), by arrangement with the tourist bureau at Kazhipet.
For more information, contact APTTDC's Regional Tourist Information Bureau, Tourist Rest
House, Kazhipet, Warangal. Tel 08712-576201
For country information, see India.
For state and visitor information, see Andhra Pradesh. |
