Warangal
is a district located in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India, and was the capital of the Kakatiya Kingdom that ruled
from 12-14th century A.D. The fifth biggest city in the state, Warangal was
also referred to as Orguguallu or Omtikonda in olden times, due to the presence
of an enormous hillock that is evidently carved out of a single stone. Warangal
City is located in Warangal District, which also comprises of Hanamakonda and
Kazipet.
Various
architectural masterpieces such as the Warangal Fort prove to be popular
attractions for tourists, and it is believed that Prola Raja (of the Kakatiya
dynasty) was behind the construction of this picturesque city. Marco Polo, the
famed Italian traveler, speaks of Warangal in his travel diaries and his
writings regarding the place reflect the cultural and administrative excellence
brought about during the reign of the Kakatiyas.
Warangal
has a primarily agrarian economy and crops such as red chilies, tobacco, cotton
and rice are cultivated to a large extent here. The city boasts of a population
of just under a million inhabitants.
A Walk
Through the Ages
The
Kakatiya dynasty ruled Warangal from the 12th to the 14th century A.D as was
mentioned earlier. Following the defeat of Prathapa Rudra, a fifty year rule of
the Musunri Nayaks was established. This fell apart due to mutual rivalry, and
lack of trust between the various Nayak chieftains and the Bahmanis took over
administrative control of the city.
Travels
Talk
Aurangzeb,
the Mughal emperor, conquered the Goldconda Sultanate (of which Warangal was a
part) in the year 1687 and till 1724, remained as such. The State of Hyderabad
came into existence in 1724 and Warangal became a part of this along with some
regions of Maharashtra and Karnataka. In 1948,Hyderabad became an
Indian state, and in 1956, the predominantly Telugu-speaking areas of this
state ceded and became part of modern day Andhra Pradesh.
Evidence
gathered from inscriptions in Warangal have suggested that ‘Kakatipura’ (from
which the Kakatiya dynasty got its name) might have been an alternative title
for the city of Warangal at a point of time before the 12th century.
Tourist
Places In and Around Warangal
Warangal
attracts a huge number of tourists throughout the year due to factors such as
its historical significance, the variety of wonderful monuments found in the
city, wildlife sanctuaries and impressive temples.
Pakhal
Lake, Warangal Fort, the Thousand Pillared temple and the Rock Garden are some
of the popular attractions found in the district of Warangal. Other temples
such the Padmakshi Temple and the Bhadrakali Temple also attract pilgrims from a cross-section of society. The Warangal Planetarium is a
popular haunt for tourists in the area as are the various lakes and parks.
The
Samakka-Sarakka Jatra (also called Sammakka Saralamma Jatara) congregation is
hosted in Warangal district once in two years and attracts almost ten million
people. The festival/fair is a commemoration of the fighting spirit shown by a
mother-daughter combination while dealing with an unjust law enforced by the
Kakatiya rulers that reigned in times gone by. It is the second biggest
gathering in the continent of Asia, trailing only to the Kumbh Mela.
The
Bathukamma festival is celebrated with great style here and is marked by women
worshipping the Goddess with an assortment of flowers.
How to reach Warangal
A
government bus service covers most of the city, and it is the most
cost-effective way to travel and get around while visiting various attractions.
Autorickshaws are also seen in plenty and thus, the availability of
transportation is not much of a concern. Autorickshaws do not run on a meter
usually, so it is advisable to fix the rate before starting on a journey to
avoid confusion.
Best time to visit
Warangal
The best
season to visit would be between October and March.
Accommodation
Due to
it's immense popularity Warangal enjoys among tourists, accommodation in the
city can be troublesome if not sorted out beforehand. Budget hotels that
charge upto Rs. 750 per room are available throughout the year. However, it is
not advisable to avail of these during the summer due to blistering heat that
Warangal experiences. Deluxe rooms (with air-conditioning) cost around Rs.
1,200 for a room, and many such dwellings can be found in the vicinity of the
Warangal Fort. Luxury Resorts are an alternative for those willing to spend
around Rs. 3000-4000 per day. Internet access in the rooms, a swimming pool and
a multi-cuisine restaurant are some of the features one can experience in these
lavish resorts.
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