Telangana Diary

Budhist Sthupa -Amaravathi Telangana Diary Warangal and Ramappa

- Satarupa Datta

Today, it is a popular Tourist attraction in the district. And is visited by thousands of Tourists.

Snowfall-receiving Place in South India is Lambasingi in Visakhapatnam district. Lambasingi is a beautiful hill station at an elevation of 3,200 feet. Lambasingi receives snowfall during the winter season. Therefore, it is also known as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh. Lambasingi is winter destination for Nature lovers.

Tirumala Laddu cannot be found elsewhere and except in Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple, the second richest Temple in the Country. Then devotees must have savoured the out of the ordinary taste of Tirumala laddu, a sweet which is offered by the temple as a prasadam. Devotees cannot find this laddu elsewhere. The temple has taken a geographical indication of this sweet, and hence no one can prepare.

The Hanging Pillar: Ever seen a hanging pillar? If not, then you can see it in Veerabhadra Temple- Lepaakshi. Temple is on a hillock at Lepaakshi. Tourists can witness a stone pillar hanging from the roof. Tourists can literally pass a piece of cloth or a paper under the pillar. Therefore, it has been considered as one of the masterpieces of the Vijayanagar architecture and sculpture. There is India's biggest monolithic Nandi Statue at Lepaakshi.

Meanwhile Lepaakshi is also famous for its mural paintings.Paiting of Veerabhadra Swamy on the roof of maha mandapa is the largest(25 x 14 feet) in Asia.

Beach Destination: The Longest Coastline in India with a coastline of about 974 kms. Andhra Pradesh overtakes other South Indian states to become the state with the longest seashore. Hence, it wouldn't be wrong to call it the perfect beach destination. The major towns and cities are on coastline.. Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Srikakulam. Nellore etc.,

There is more to Telangana than just Hyderabad. For example, when you visit Telangana you will find the word 'Kakatiya' roaming in the air. Hotels, shops, cuisines, business, university, colleges many are named after Kakatiya. You are bound to wonder, who are these people? To know about the Kakatiyas you will have to visit Warangal, the mighty stronghold of a powerful dynasty in Deccan.

Let us travel back in time a bit. From late 12th to early 14th Century, a long period of time, the Kakatiyas ruled here in Deccan. Warangal was their capital city. This was the time of Sultanate in the Northern India when Delhi was fast becoming a cultural and political capital and here in Deccan, Warrangal was flourishing under the Kakatiyas. The old name of Warangal was Orugallu. Even Marco Polo mentioned Warangal in his travel diary.

Today's Warangal, 157 kms away from Hyderabad is ideal to visit with two nights and three days in your plan. Warangal city is part of a cluster of three towns: Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda. Nearest convenient rail head is Warangal and Kazipet which is 6 km away. Both are connected to all major cities of India. You can travel by road in hired vehicle, by buses of the State Government or private operators and the roads are really good and scenic too.

Reserve your accommodation beforehand in Warangal, we recommend the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation Hotels which can be booked online too.

Start your tour with the famed Warangal Fort. The Kakatiya rulers were great patrons of art, architecture and perfected the Chalukyan style of temple architecture. Wrrangal Fort was built during the 13th century. The impressive structure has four huge stone-gateways. Built by one of the Kakatiya Kings, Ganapathi Deva and his daughter Rani Rudramma Devi, one can still spot some exquisite pieces of sculpture here. The gateway of Warangal is the symbol of Telangana and appears in many places.

Next in your itinerary is Hanamkonda, 12 kms away from Warangal. The Chalukyan architecture is at its best display in the Thousand Pillars temple at Hanamkonda. Built in 1163, by the king Rudra Deva, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu Gods Vishnu and Shiva and Surya. Immerse yourself into the beauty of this star-shaped and triple-shrine temple complex richly decorated with perforated screens, exquisite icons and rock cut elephants. Ahuge monolith Nandi with excellent smooth finish is very impressive here. The temple has been beautifully restored and set in the green slopes of Hanamkonda hills. Smaller temples in the vicinity like the Siddheshwara Temple and the one dedicated to Bhadrakali are also quite popular. In Bhadrakali, the deity of Kali is in a beautiful sitting posture, has eight hands and holds eight different weapons in them!!

Proceed towards Ramappa Temple in Palampet village, 70 kms away from Warangal.This temple is the latest UNESCO accredited World Heritage Site too. The Rudreshwara temple, popularly called Ramappa Temple, is a classic example of Chalukyan architecture with a touch of Hoyasala style. The construction of the temple dates back to 1213 AD .The Shivalaya stands majestically on a six-ft high star-shaped platform. Hold your breath as the temple unravels its secrets into your soul. The stones of Ramappa speak the language of sheer beauty and joy in the carvings of exquisite females. The celebration of life has been immortalised in the rich, intricate sculpture covered walls, pillars, brackets and ceilings of the temple. The Kakatiya rulers excavated a tank near the temple which is now Ramappa Lake. Boating in the sea green waters of the lake is a must activity if you are visiting Ramappa.

When in Warangal, we suggest you hire a vehicle, or better still if you can cycle around ( That will be the eco tourism friendly way) the sleepy villages. Warrangal is a busy cotton market and the best time to visit is in the mild winter time of Telangana. At that time you will also find a fine wool market here. The best buy here will be woollen carpets and famous Pembarti sheet metal art, which flourished during the reign of the Kakatiyas. If you are vocal for local, and craft enthusiast then take a visit to the Copper & Silver Metal Craft Centre of Pembarti village, 60 kms from Warangal. Do not forget to purchase the bright and colourful Cheriyal paintings of Warangal which will definitely add a touch of art and in your home. (Author is Assistant Director, India Tourism)

Tourism News (Telugu Bi-Monthly) May - June 2022, Volume : 16 Issue : 3 RNI No. APTEL/ 2007 / 22572. Printed, Published and Owned by MyNaa Swamy and Printed at C.N. Printers, Prakasam Road, Tirupati and Published at 99, Prakasam Road, Tirupati - 517 501. Editor : MyNaa Swamy. Ph : 95026 59119 | Email : tourismnews2007@yahoo.co.in | www.issuu.com/mynaaswamy. May - June 2022 TOURISM NEWS