WARANGAL

WARANGAL

  

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.

ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS & TEMPLES

Thousand Pillars Temple 12th Century:

The temple, as the name enunciates, is decorated with one thousand pillars. This famous historic monument was built in 1163 A.D. by a Kakatiyan ruler, Rudradev and was named after him as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple. The temple is built in unique "Trikootalaya" style of Kakatiyas, the presiding deity in the main "Sanctum Sanctorum" is Rudreshwar and the other two are dedicated to "Lord Surya" and "Lord Vishnu" the temple is on a satellite plan with the three shrines connected to a square Rung Mandap in the centre. A beautifully carved giant "Nandi" as in Lepakshi is seen on the platform connecting the shrines in the mandap. The exterior wall of the temple, the celling slabs and the four central pillars of the navarangal mandap are decorated with finely carved sculptures of the deities. The sculptures of Indra with Airavata craftsmanship of the Kakatiya Dynasty.

LOCATION:

The Thousand Pillars Temple is located in Hanamkonda part of the Warangal City. It is about 6 kms away from, Warangal Railway Station & Bus Station 9 kms away from Kazipet Rly.Junction and is well connected by city bus service.

PRESENT STATUS:

The Temple is being maintained by Archaeological Survey on India, who have adopted it as one of the protected monuments. The temple is in good condition and there are lawns around the temple. Drinking water facility is also available in the temple and a bore well with motor has recently been provided.

RECENT PLANS

1. Sound and Light Show is being introduced shortly. The Contract has been finalized with the assistance of Govt. of India and being executed by M/s Philips India Ltd. The estimated cost is Rs. 80 Lakhs.
2. Landscaping around the temple is planned and the front elevation will be improved. Negotiations are going on with the local inhabitants to shift to the alternate places.
3. Road infront of the temple will be made 100 ft wide with lawns on both sides to give beautiful frontal appearance.

Ramappa Temple 12th Century:

 Ramappa Lake is a magnificient example of irrigation work of Kakatiya Rulers constructed in 13- Century A.D. during Ganapathi Deva's time. Its water is spread over an area of more than 82 Sq.Kms with lush greenery all around. The lake is over looked by beautiful hill ranges in the background providing a spectacular view especially at Sunset time. It is an excellent place for lovers of picnic and one can simply come here and relax under the shade of sprawling trees or walk around appreciating the beauty of nature or have a fascinating boat ride through lovely blue water.

LOCATION:

Ramappa Lake is situated about 1 Km away from Ramappa temple near Palampet in Venkatapur Mandal. It is well connected by road with frequent bus service from Warangal City, which is about 70 Kms away.

PRESENT STATUS:

There are excellent huts, eight in number and a good restaurant cum dining hall around Ramappa Lake but these are lying unused because of lack of proper maintenance. A tourism Rest House is also there near the Lake, which has three rooms and a dining hall. A CMEY group is operating boating facility to the Tourists in the Lake.

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS:

1. Lake bund is renovated near the Guest House and arrangements are made to enjoy lake view
2. Cafeteria facility provided for the tourists
3. Special Buses from Warangal arranged for Temple and Lake visit on Saturday and Sundays

FUTURE PLANS

1. Bush clearance has to be carried out on both sides of the bund to give a facelift to the entire area.
2. Flowering Plants have to be planted and a garden has to be laid out on the bund near the Tourism Rest House.
3. The Temple which is in a dilapidated condition near the Tourism Rest House needs to be renovated. Moreover, the smaller temples on the other side of the bund need to be improved.
4. The Huts and Rest House can be leased out to a private person who shall maintain them and run on profit basis.
5. Dustbins have to be kept to prevent littering at place.
6. Boards have to be provided at every 10 Kms on the road from Warangal to Ramappa Lake for giving directions and attracting the tourists.
7. 1 Km road for horse riding.

Ghanpur Group of Temples:

 The Ghanpur group of temples, comprising of 22 temples constructed within a double walled stone enclosure contain a veritable museum of Kakatiya art and architecture. Among the group of temples, the main temple, which is dedicated to Lord siva is most attractive. The main attraction is of the Sabhamandapa porches. Two madanikas or salabhanjikas, which are on northern side portico, are much more attractive and blithe in their appearance, compared to the famous Palampet(Ramappa Temple) bracket figures.

part from these, mythical figure brackets such as Gaja-Kesari, Half human-Lion form riding on elephant, Horse-head Lion back on elephant are also arranged under the eves in eastern and southern side porticos. To the north from main temple, there is another temple dedicated t Siva which is exact replica of the main temple. To the south of the main temple, there is a pillared mandap whose central ceiling is decorated with different kinds patma motives. More over nineteen subsidiary shrines consisting of garbhgriha and antarala are placed around the temple.

There is no information about the builder of these great temples except three inscriptions which only talk about visit of Vibhuttigaru, a house hold servant of Panditharadhya. But on stylistic grounds and comparing architectural features of ~mous Ramappa temple at Palampet village, it can be presumed that these temples were most probably constructed during the time of Ganpathidev Maharaj in early 13 the Century A.D. These magnificient group of temples are located adbist tall and lofty palmyra trees and this luxuriant vegetation serves as a beautiful backdrop making visit to these temples a visual feast and a memorable one.

LOCATION:

The Ghanpur group of temples are located in Ghanpur mandal headquarters, around 62 kms away from Warangal. It can be reached via Mulug and Palampet and is connected with a regular bus service.

PRESENT STATUS:

The group of temples is a protected monument but nothing has been done to removate or improve it. The temples are in little dilapidated condition. The mud wall around the temple is also dilapidated and these is a growth of wild bushes on it and in the area enclosed by the wall. Moreover, the temple is about 300 meters from the road and only a katcha path leads to it.

IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED:

1. The temple needs major renovation by resetting the dislocated parts, laying of concrete roof, reconstruction of certain dilapidated temples and arranging pathways inside the complex for smooth movement of visitors.
2. A road of about 300 meters length needs to be constructed from main road up to the temple.
3. The mud wall surrounding the temple needs to be improved and benches and shade structures need to be erected on it.
4. The area enclosed by the mud wall can be developed as a beautiful garden to attract the visitors.
5. Public toilets need to be constructed for the convenience of the Public.
6. A small canteen to be constructed and leased out.

WATER BODIES

1. Ramappa Lake
2. Pakhal Lake
3. Lakhnavaram Lake

RECENT ATTRACTIONS

• Musical Garden
• Rock Garden
• Regional Science Centre
• Van Vigyan Kendra
• Etunagaram Wild Life Senctuary

NEW AMBITIOUS PROJECT

A Ropeway from top of the hillocks of Regional Science center is planned to hillock of Bhadrakali Temple. This will be a unique attraction for Tourists from the region and from Sothern Plateau and Central India.

Warangal is having a grand Yatri Niwas for tourists and is under renovation. The work will complete within a short period of time. District Tourism is also planning regular Shuttle services by road from Hyderabad to Warangal and then Circuit routes from Warangal to Water Bodies, Group of Temples , Garderns, Fort, Science Center and back. Connecting transport will also be provided on rail routes.