Sunday, July 26, 2009

SRI SWAYAMBU TEMPLE,












It is a historic temple in which Lord Swayambhu was worshipped by the famous Kakatiya Ruler 'Prataparudra' every day during his life time. The presiding Diety is Lord Siva called as swayambhu (Lieterally means self incarnated God). The temple is very adjacent to the ruins of Kakatiya Capital at Fort Warangal. There will be flow of pilgrims, tourists during all seasons from all over India and abroad to witness the ruins of Kakatiya Dynasty

Bhadrakali temple








Bhadrakali temple at Hanamkonda is significant devi temple located on the hilltop between the twin cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is held in high esteem by devotees of the of goddess bhadrakali popularly called the ‘grant mother goddess’. Remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the goddess (2.7 x 2.7 meters). In the image goddess is seen in a sitting posture with fierce looking eyes and face. The goddess can also be seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons. An inscription near the temple dates it at 1163.
There is a an artificial lake of two and half kms in radius close to temple

Shitab khan mahal
















This structure, said to be built over the site of a Kakatiya palace, may have been used as an audience hall by shitab khan, the 16th century qutb shahi governor of Warangal. A wide entrance arch on the north wall leads to a single spacious schamber inside with small storage rooms on each side. Transverse arches span the high ceiling. Broken fragments from the svayambhu enclosure and jain temples are placed inside the hall and near the north entrance.

Siddeshwara temple




built in the 3rd century, this temple is famous for the fact that it is one of the few west facing temples in India.

Sammakka sarakka




Sammakka sarakka jatara or medaram jathara is a tribal festival of goddesses celebrated in medaram located in Warangal district in telangana region of Andhra Pradesh state, India
It commemorates the valiant fight put up by a mother and daughter, samakka and sarakka, with the reigning rulers over an unjust law.
It is celebrated in medaram when the beloved goddesses of the tribal’s visit them. Medaram is a remote place in the eturunagaram wildlife sanctuary, a part of dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the Deccan. It is the second largest religious congregation after the maha kumbh mela. The forest is transformed into a cosmopolis.

Parnasala






















Rama, Sita and lakshmana are said to have stayed at parnasala, 35 km away from bhadrachalam. Rama is said to have crossed the river Godavari on his way to Sri Lanka to rescue sita, at the spot where the bhadrachalam temple stands, on the northern bank of the river.
It is believed to be the place where the demon king ravan abducted sita devi. A tiny hut, which portrays the major events of Ramayana with flamboyantly painted sculptures of Sri Ram, laxman, sita and ravan is the main attraction in parnasala.

Bhadrachalam







The Shree Sita Rama Swami shrine at bhadrachalam is dedicated to lord Rama. It is situated on the left bank of Godavari River. The temple was constructed by a local thasildar, khancharla gopanna popularly known as bhakt ramdas in 17th century

Rammapa temple
















This is one of the temples of the Kakatiya period (13th century ad) contemporary to Ramappa temple as mentioned in the inscription of Racherla Rudra, a general of kakat Ganapatideva. The temple stands on a raised platform with the grabha griha anantrala and a mandapa and approached by a flight of steps from east. It is dedicated to Shiva; the name kateshwara would have come after one kataya, the descendant of Racherla Rudra.
The grabha griha contains a black basalt linga installed on a high pedestal inside.
A magnificent display of sculptures depicting scenes from Ramanayana, Siva purana and other mythological narratives. The other units within the prakara are an imposing Nandi mandapa, kameshwara and kaneswara shrines





Interesting fact about this shrine is that it was named after its sculptor 'Ramappa', unlike other temples that get names after their presiding deities.

Warangal fort
















It is one of the most famous of the medieval fort of the Deccan; Warangal town was established in the 12th century by Prolaraja. The fort Warangal is built with geometric intricacies during the reign of Ganapathi Deva, in 1199 ad and was completed by his daughter Rani Rudramadevi in 1261 ad. It is located at a distance of 12 kms from Hanamkonda. It has tow walls, the inner one being made of stone and the outer wall is of mud. It is it is 56 feet in height and 72 ft wide.
The four large elaborately carved gateways, which can be still seen, were the creation of the then architects, which they called as “Kirti Toranas”

Padmakshi temple




Padmakshi temple
Padmakshi temple, an ancient temple believed to be built during first quarter of the 12th century, is a beautiful temple at Warangal with Goddess Padmakshi as the main deity. A wonderful pillar known as Annakonda Pillar, a stunning quadrangular column made with granite black stone, is placed at the entrance of this temple.
The sculptures and carvings at the pillar lead the light to the belief that initially this was a Jain shrine dedicated to Jain Goddess Kdalalaya. The Padmakshi temple is worth visiting and the marvelous structure is eye catching.