Trip members: Karthik
Trip date: 06 Dec - 07 Dec 2024
Trip Plan : Chennai - Secunderabad - Warangal - Ramappa Temple - Warangal - Chennai
A suddenly planned trip to visit Warangal - primarily for the UNESCO site - Rudreshwara Ramappa Temple. This was a Friday - Saturday combo; since last minute planning - Sunday return tickets by train were not available and planned to return on Saturday night. Accordingly, planned backward for a Friday early morning flight to Hyderabad.
On Day-1 - Friday, I reached Hyderabad by 8 AM and was planning to work on Friday from hotel room. I was planning to take Pushpak bus to Secunderabad - but, got to know it would take 3 hours! Then, took an Ola cab and reached my hotel - Treebo Premium Metropolis by 9 AM and requested for early check-in. They confirmed early check for 10 AM and I went for breakfast. The rooms were very spacious, clean and had great internet.
I had breakfast at Swarn restaurant at Hotel Sapthagiri. The items were all over and almost nothing apart from dosas. I had a karam dosa and reached back to the hotel. 10 AM check-in and got to work almost the whole day till 6 PM.
Lunch at Hotel Cafe Kaadhale nearby was really fantastic. Very authentic elaborate Andhra meals with ghee, paruppu podi, varieties of chutneys, veggies, crispies, pappu and rest of the usual meal items - it was thoroughly delicious and the service was great too!
After ending my work day, walked around a bit near Secunderabad railway station and could not find a decent place for even a tea! The whole streets around were so crowded and dirty.
Around 6:30 PM, I went to my friend's house (Nandhu and Sunitha) and spent the rest of the evening and dinner with them.
Towards Warangal
I had booked my ticket in the Hyderabad - Kaghaznagar express - starting at 5:20 from Secunderabad and reached Kazipet at 7:45 AM (there was a delay of 30 mins!). Warangal has 2 stations, one is Kazipet on the West of the town and Warangal junction - on the south side of the town. Warangal is around 150 kms from Hyderabad.
I had booked my cab as usual from savaari.com for the whole day and the driver was ready to pick me up outside the station. I had planned to visit couple of temples in Warangal - Thousand pillar temple and the Bhadrakali temple.
Thousand Pillar Temple
Thousand Pillar Temple is a Kakatiya Dynasty 12th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva - Rudreshwara Swamy. The temple is actively operated and there are locals who come regularly to the temple. It is one of the ornamental temples in the region and one can admire the 2 mandapas in the site with wow! The temple timings are 6 AM to 8 PM. This is an ASI site.
Bhadrakali Temple
Next, I visited the Bhadrakali Temple. This temple is said to be build during the Chalukya dynasty which is earlier part of 1st century. The day I went did not have any crowd and I had a very pleasant dharshan. Truly, the temple was a great source of positive energy and vibe! The temple timings are 5:30 am – 1:00 pm; 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
Post these 2 temples, the plan was to visit Ramappa Temple and then the Ghanpur group of temples. Enroute, myself and the driver had breakfast at NSR hotel - the only restaurant in the route of 80+ kms. The breakfast items were very nice - idlies, dosas and vadai accompanied with sambhar, ground but chutney and bellam chutney (ginger).
Ramappa Temple - The UNESCO SITE
Ramappa Temple is located around 66 kms from Warangal. This is an UNESCO site and is open from 6 AM to 6 PM with plenty of parking space (car parking is Rs.50). Ramappa Temple is an engineering marvel with very intricate carvings as tiny as few cms to massive structures with so much detailing. Every inch of the roof was also heavily sculpted and no mean person can do this! I spent around 1 hour walking around, admiring the richness of the place and clicking memories.
The 12th century proof of richness was part of the Kaktiya dynasty and built for Lord Shiva on sandstone. The beams and pillars made of granite are elaborately detailed and highly artistic. Mostly, dancers in different poses strike as the main theme all around highlighting the importance to traditional dance in those times as part of the culture. Apart from this, there are several human and animal representations too, none the less!
As I came out, had some lemon soda and bought the famous wooden dolls from Kondapalli. Kondapalli bommulu are famous hand made toys carved out of wood and very delicately painted.
Next, the stop was at Ghanpur group of temples.
Ghanpur group of temples
Ghanpur group of temples is around 11 kms from Ramappa Temple. Locally, these are called Ganapeshwaralayam (Kota Gullu). This is open from 6 AM to 6 PM and lesser popular than Ramappa temple complex. There are 22 small and big sanctums here and mostly dilapidated - few even fully collapsed or on the verge of final collapse. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has come under several attacks over a period of time and also said that it has been hit by an earthquake.
I spent around 20-25 mins here and moved to the car - it was slightly getting hotter across the mid-day. I had only Warangal fort pending on my list, but the driver (mostly mum, or talking on the phone) recommended to see Laknavaram Lake. As there was ample time for me, I obliged and we went to the lake.
Laknavaram Lake
Laknavaram Lake seems to be the best tourist spot for people in Warangal. This lake hidden between hills is around 80 kms from Warangal, 29 kms from Ramappa temple and is a well developed tourist spot. The entry fee is Rs.10. The major attraction was the suspension bridges where we can walk above water and land on to a small island like region - there are few activities here like boating, zip lining and a small canteen.
I could see many doing boating and enjoying as a picnic day hanging around with family or friends. The place is open from tourists from 8 AM to 5:30 PM.
After spending about an hour admiring the beauty of the place, I started back towards Warangal. For some reason, the driver was not in a mood to stop anywhere for lunch though I told him thrice! :-(
We reached Warangal around 3 PM and had some tiffen items at a very local eatery Hotel Vasumathi - dosas, bondas and tea!
Warangal Fort
This is located in the heart of the town or rather the town is built all around the Warangal Fort. This was the capital city for Kakatiyas kingdom. The Kakatiyan Arch is one of the famous symbols of history and is a part of the emblem of the state. The Warangal fort is spread across three complexes - Main fort complex, Kush Mahal and Ekashila Temple.
Ekashila Temple was the first place I visited - located atop of a hillock - a steep climb of 50 odd steps. From here, the whole town can be viewed. I spent around 20 mins here.
Next, visited the Kush mahal. This is massive public hall, rectangular in shape with massive arches.
The main complex is a heap of ruins and organised like a museum. The very popular arches of the Kakatiya kingdom can be seen on four directions and similar artistic dancing poses like the Ramappa temple can be seen in plenty. I walked around for 30 mins and admired the richness of knowledge, skill and passion with which such art was created.
Around 5 PM, came out and requested the driver to take me to a good sweet shop - located on google maps and bought the local delicacies - pootherakulu, chikodi and some more snacks. I had booked my train to Chennai Tambaram from Warangal - through Charminar express. It was at 8:20 PM. I reached the station around 5:45 PM and being a very tiring day, went to AC waiting hall, refreshed and relaxed for some time. I had booked I AC coach in train for the first time - this was only available option in the last minute travelling was exciting to experience it.
The train was an hour late, boarded and hit the broad seats for a sound sleep. A great trip to know the history of Warangal and richness of Kakatiyas culture!
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