WARANGAL - KALESWARAM (FROM HYDERABAD)

At a distance of 6 Kms from Warangal Railway Station (in Hanmakonda part of the city), Thousand Pillar Temple is one of the finest examples of Kakatiya architecture.

Rudra Deva built this temple in 1163 AD in the style of star shaped Chalukyan temples and named after him as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Separate shires for Lord Surya & Lord Vishnu in the temple are connected to main shrine by a square mandap in the centre. A beautifully carved giant Nandi (bull) is seen on the platform connecting the shrines. The exterior wall of the temple, the ceiling slabs and the four central pillars of the mandap are decorated with finely carved sculptures. Poojas are still performed.

The actual thousand pillar hall situated behind Nandi in the temple complex is currently being renovated by the archelogical department and closed for visitors.

The temple is located between Warangal and Hanmakonda Chowrasta, close to main road.

Timings: 6 AM .....

At a distance of 5 Kms from Warangal Railway Station, the historic Warangal Fort was built by Kakatiyas in 12th Century AD. The King Rudradeva started construction of this Fort when the capital was shifted from Hanamankonda. It was further extended by his nephew, Ganapati Deva and was finally completed by Princess Rani Rudrama Devi. The fort was mostly destroyed by invaders and only the ruins can be seen now. It is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Hyderabad as a weekend getaway.

Most of the fort is filled with settlements and small area in the center of fort has Open Air Museum with architectural remains of Kakatiyas. The famous stone gateways (called Kirti Toranas) are situated here, about 30 feet high and still standing, a masterpiece carved from a single rock.

The Shambhulingeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is opposite to Open Air Museum.

Timings: 10 AM - 7 PM.

Entry Fee: .....

At a distance of 5 Kms from Warangal Railway Station, the Bhadra Kali Temple is situated on top a hillock towards Hanamkonda. This temple is famous for 2.7 meter stone idol of the deity with eight arms and a weapon in each hand, in sitting posture. This deity is believed to be worshipped by the Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin-II in the year 625 AD.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, found in peaceful mood. This temple is located on the banks of Bhadrakali Lake. There is a park adjacent to the temple along Bhadrakali Lake which also has a shrine for Lord Siva in the form of Sri Chandra Mouleeswara.

Brahmotsavas are held every year in the month of April/May in a grand manner. The festival attracts thousands of devotees from all over the region of Telangana.

Timings: 5 AM to 1 PM & 3 - 9 PM. No lunch break during festivals. Photography not allowed.

At a distance 17 km from Mahadevpur, 134 km from Karimnagar and 263 km from Hyderabad, Kaleshwaram in Karimnagar district is famous for Sri Kaleshwara Muktheshwara Swamy Temple.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is unique because of two Shiva Lingas engraved on a single pedestal. According to legend, this temple was established by the Lord Yama and named Muktheshwara and at the same place lord Shiva appeared in the form of lingam on the same stone and named it as Kaleshwara. The devotees first pray to Yama at this shrine before proceeding to Lord Siva. Kaleshwaram is one of the most famous Shiva adobes in Telangana.

This place is also called Dakshina Triveni Sangamam, as rivers Godavari and Pranahita meet here along with a third, the illusionary flow of Antarvaahini. It is believed that there is another river named Saraswati flowing under the Godavari hence it is called Triveni Sangamam. The Kaleshwaram is centre for .....