Warangal is a historic city in the Telangana state of India. Warangal Fort, Thousand Pillar Temple, and Ramappa Temple are the main tourist places here. These three sites were tentative to be added to the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Warangal Fort Ruins
Warangal Fort Ruins
Warangal Fort, a 12th-century fort, was built by Kakatiya dynasty rulers to protect their capital city from enemies. This Fort has four ornamental gates called the Kakatiyan arch, which is incorporated into the Emblem of the recently formed Telangana state.
Koh-i-Noor diamond belonged to Prataparudra II of the Kakatiya dynasty. He fought a tough battle with Malik Kafur, General for Delhi Sultan, for around six months in 1309. The Kohinoor diamond, along with other valuables and an annual tribute payment, was part of the truce agreement with Kafur, the general of the Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Khilji.
In later years, the Sultan of Delhi attacked Prataparudra II twice, as he avoided paying the annual tribute amount. In 1320, the then Sultan of Delhi, Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq, sent his son Ulugh Khan to recover the defaulted tribute amount. After initial hiccups, he captured the Fort and destroyed the capital city of Warangal, including the great Svayambhusiva Temple.
Pratapa Rudra II surrendered. On his way to Delhi in captivity, he died or committed suicide on the banks of the Godavari River.
The capital city of Warrangal was renamed Sultanpur. Dehli Sultan ruled Sultanpur till 1335, which later on went into the hands of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golconda and then to Nizam of Hyderabad. The Fort was modified in the 15th & 17th centuries. Fort Remains tops the list of visiting places in Warangal.
Thousand Pillar Temple Ruins at Warangal
Thousand Pillar Temple at Warangal
Kakatiya dynasty rulers built many temples here. Thousand Pillar Temple is believed to have been built between 1175–1324 C.E. by the Kakatiyan King, Rudra Deva. It took 72 years to complete the construction work of the temple. This temple is proof of the architectural skills of Kakatiyas. The temple ruins are on the Hanamkonda-Warangal Highway side. Thousand Pillar Temple is at three kilometer distance from the Warangal railway station.
The temple is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu & Surya. The highlight of the temple is the 1000 pillars, but no pillar obstructs the view of any of God’s statues from the visitor. A monolithic Nandi bull carving is there in the temple complex. The temple is surrounded by a big Garden. There is a Kalyana Mandapa (Marriage Hall) with 132 pillars, to the east of the temple, which was also destroyed. It was dismantled in 2006 for renovation and restoration work is going on now.
Who Destroyed 1000 Pillar Temple?
The Tughlaq dynasty rulers destroyed the 1000 pillar temple at Warangal. They desecrated this star-shaped temple.
Efforts to restore the Kalyana Mandapa (Marriage Hall) of the damaged temple are going on. Kakatiya Heritage Trust made efforts in this regard and the state government has released funds for the restoration work. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is doing the restoration work.
Place of Thousand Pillars
Hanamakonda in the Warangal district is the place of the Thousand Pillars temple. It is at a distance of six kilometers from Warrangal railway station. Hyderabad city is around 50 kilometers from the site of 1000 Pillar Temple.
Hanamakonda along with Kazipet and Warangal are together known as Warangal Tri-City.
Ramappa Temple
Warangal Ramappa Temple
Ramappa Temple is located in Palampet village, at a distance of 70 kilometers from Warangal city. In 1213 A.D., inscriptions in the temple indicate that the temple was built by the Kakatiya ruler, Ganapati Deva. The walls, pillars & ceilings of the temple are known for their intricate carvings. A giant Nandi statue remains in good condition. The temple is still in good condition, except for the outer compound wall and some small structures inside the temple complex.
How Do I Go to Warangal?
Warangal railway station is the railway station in the city. Kazipet Junction railway station is also close to the 1000 pillared temple.
The city is well connected by roads to other parts of the country. National Highway 163 which was earlier known as NH 202, passes through Warrangal.
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad city outskirts is the nearest airport to Warrangal at 175 kilometers distance. (Warangal airport was closed in 1981.)