It is that time of the year again. When I look back at my year and see what is the one thing that I set out to do at the beginning of the year and actually did.
So, here I am proudly proclaiming that I did visit 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in 2017.
PS: I had set my target at 7 but I knew I could only visit 5. Like with anyone with travel plans, one is always majorly dependant on budgets and life in general. But then fate conspired and the universe showed a way (however clichéd that may sound!). I was selected to shoot at the Pushkar Fair with none other than Mr.Raghu Rai himself and we could choose to join him either from Delhi or from Jaipur, along the way to Pushkar. And here I am with that wished for number. 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2017.
PSS: Even a year of missed opportunities can have a happy ending. All negativity comes with a counter balancing positive energy.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, 2018. Love & Light. ??
Who doesn’t know the Kakatiya Kala Toranam? It is the omnipresent symbol of Telangana Heritage, incorporated even in the emblem of this newly formed state. A massive stone gateway and the proud legacy of Kakatiya art and architecture, one of these today stands in a park in Warangal. With the rest of the ruins from the Kakatiya fort.
Read on to find other such unmissable places to visit in Warangal to add to your trip itinerary.
#1 Thousand Pillar Temple
The most popular tourist place in Warangal is the Thousand Pillar Temple.
It has featured in numerous Telugu movies, most prominently in Varsham, Bahubali star Prabhas’s first major romantic blockbuster. The many songs and scenes from movie shot here in the rain are by far the most stunning take on the Thousand Pillar Temple.
Constructed in 1163 AD by Rudra Deva in the Chalukya style, it has three presiding deities, Vishnu, Shiva and Surya. The most recognisable feature of this temple besides its richly carved pillars is the huge monolithic Nandi of black stone.
The Thousand Pillar Temple – currently closed to public and under restoration
Some areas of the Thousand Pillar Temple are closed off for renovation but there is a fully functional Hindu temple on the grounds in the same architectural style. So don’t just leave it off of your list of places to visit in Warangal. It is still is the place from where you should start your day in the city.
#2 Warangal Fort & Kakatiya Kala Toranam
If you are using Google Maps to navigate within the city, look for Warangal Fort Park and not Warangal Fort. For that will take you to where the original fort once stood and which is now just a crumbling structure of stone, overrun in grass.
& yes what is now referred to as the Warangal Fort is just a park with well laid out pieces of sculptures and entry ways from the fort, including the Kakatiya Kala Toranam.
Ruins of Warangal FortKakatiya Kala Toranam in the Warangal Fort Park
TOURIST INFO
Warangal Fort Park is a ticketed monument. Open from 10am to 7pm, all days of the week. There is also a sound and light show here every evening after sunset.
#3 Kush Mahal
Built within the walls of Warangal Fort, Kush Mahal is Tughlaq era hall. Though the original use for which it was built is not known for sure, we know that when the Tughlaqs conquered Warangal, they razed Kakatiya architecture to ground and built over them to mark their conquest.
So its a stones throw from that which it aimed to obliterate – the gateway and what it stood for.
Though not counted amongst popular tourist places of Warangal, it is a local favourite.
#4 Bhadrakali Temple
Set against a backdrop of water and hills, the Badhrakali temple isn’t just scenic. There is something powerful about the place, for darshan here is an intense experience.
Making it the foremost of places to visit in Warangal for many.
#5 Ramappa Temple & Lake
Ageless in its magnificence, it is as if the Ramappa Temple is a time capsule. This medieval temple from 1213 AD is beautiful beyond words and almost intact.
Definitely one of those tourist places in Warangal that one will regret to miss.
Did You Know? The bricks used to build the Ramappa Temple were so light that they can actually float on water!
It is alsothe only temple in the country to be known by the name of its sculptor. No surprise there for its sculptures are truly exquisite and an image of them will probably stay with you forever.
5 minutes from the temple is the Ramappa Lake.
Peaceful and serene it is neither crowded nor noisy, even on a weekend. The resort on its banks serving piping hot, spicy Andhra food makes Ramappa an ideal location for a quiet overnighter.
#6 Laknavaram Lake
The Lakanavaram Lake is beautiful and its waters soothing no doubt, but its popularity is its curse.
From its yellow suspension bridge to the mini island resort on the lake, it is so popular as a weekend getaway from Hyderabad that it gets nearly impossible to even stay a while if your intention is to wind down and enjoy being outdoors with nature.
Inspite of all that, here is a lake which was formed in the 13th century by closing down three narrow valleys and is actually so well hidden by the surrounding hills that even today you wouldn’t be able to see it till you actually reach the bridge.
So it is worth a quick day trip if you are in the area and want to tick it off your warangal tourist places list!
GETTING THERE:
Hyderabad to Warangal Distance 145 Kms Route Take the NH163 via Outer Ring Road to reach Warangal in two and a half hours.
Warangal to Ramappa Temple Distance70 Kms Warangal to Lakanavaram Lake Distance 70 Kms Ramappa Temple to Laknavaram Lake Distance 29 Kms
