weekend sojourn to warangal

Now it is rains all over the state. What about Hyderabadis weekends?, where they can freely and safely go, what is that they can see when it rains? Will it be the beaten tracks always? no not at all. try this route to Warangal, the erstwhile Kingdom of Kakatiya's. Better start at 7 am from Hyderabad. 150 kms drive from Hyderabad to Warangal would be somewhat pleasant and free of heavy traffic normally one can find on the Vijayawada and Kunrool Highways. Take a break after an hour's journey at Yadagirigutta ( 70 kms) the abode of Lord Laxminarasimha swamy situated majestically atop the Raigiri hill. See the temple plus the picturesque hilly tracks in and around there. The sactum sanctorum is nestled inside a cave formed under a huge rock. Then again start the trip. A twenty minute drive from there, you reach Kolanapaka where you can see the Jain Mandir with a 2 metre high idol of Lord Mahavir. The shrine is believed to be over two thousand years old and provides a clear indication that Jainism flourished in Andhra Pradesh before the 4th century, the one and only ancient structure built in magnificient white marble. Adjuscent to this another old structure Sri veeranarayana Swamy temple built around 1104 A.D.. Someshswara Swamy temple which is a splendid example of the western Chalukya's architecture.
Back to the Warangal Highway, in one hour drive say by lunch time one would reach the famous city of Warangal. You can stay either in Punnami resorts or government bunglows. After the lunch around 2pm you can start the Warangal City trip. Anyone will first pick the Thousand Pillar temple situated in amidst of the city. A unique, amazing structure of this famous Thousand Pillar temple will definetely enthralls you. The mammoth structure which is presently under renovation was built in 1163 A.D by the Kakatiya King Ganapati Rudra Deva. The star shaped, triple-shrined temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Surya. with its high valued stone screens, richly carved icons meticulously designed pillars and rock cut elephants, stands as an example of Kakatiya architecture. The Six feet high monolithic Nandi is another major atraction of this temple also known as trikutalayam. From here go to the Warangal Fort, the headquarters of administration of the kakatiya kings known for its magnificiently carved arches. The fort said to be has 45 towers and pillars spread over a radius of 19 km and a temple called swayambhudevei alayam in the centre of the fort area. Also see the Yekasila, or monolithic a huge hillock sorrounded by a lake. And another atraction would be the Khush Mahal a masterly piece built by shitabh Khan located nearby. This magnificicent edifice houses idols excavated from the surrounding areas. Finish this and go to Bhadrakali Temple situated on a hillock, noted for its stone image of Goddess Kali in a sitting posture. and opposite there a beutiful Tank spreadover to large area with a renovated and remodelled tank bund to see and relax. With this the first day's trip to a historical city will come to close.
Second day tour would be some what adventurous. Complete the Break fast and start the journey with food packed and proceed towards Mulugu, a revenue divisional headquarters, 50 km from Warangal. Then take a turn to a single line road, from there it takes 30 minutes to reach Palampet to see the one of the finest architectural monument in Andhra Pradesh 'Ramappa' temple. Ramalingeswara temple pupularly known as Ramappa temple, full of architerctural beauty is second only to the temple of Belur and Halebid of the Hoyasala empire in Karnataka. Constructed in 1213 A.D. The Shiva temple rises magnificenlty over a six feet high star shaped platform. the intricate sculputure richely carved pillars the exquisetely decorated walls and ceiling make a visit to Ramappa an unforgettable experience. Particularly to witness the famous 'Nagini' the dancer image majestically carved in a sculpture in the black granite mololithic rock. One can see a tradition that was strictly followed by the of Kakatiya's Kings throughout, that is wherever they have constructed a tank they also built a temple adjacent to this. Ramappa Lake holds a great scenic bueauty with its serene surooundings giving a mysitcal air to the temple. Boating on the lake, spreadover to huge area is a good experience. Visitors can prefer a stay here, thanks to the tourism dept they have constructed rest houses for a comfortble overnight stay. Food also will be served if an order is placed well in advance.
Trip to Warangal is not complete without paying a visit to the charming pakhal lake. In case tourists finish Ramappa visit by noon, start journey back to Warangal and proceed to Pakhal lake-an hour drive from Warangal. moonlit nights on the shores of this lake are simply superb. this huge lake enveloped by forested hills, originally excavated by Ganapati Deva thousand years ago. Around the lake is the Pakahal wildlife sanctury spread all over . Night stay at Pakhal is not suggested due to lack of comfortble ameneties. So return to Hyderabad.